Only a Dream
As provocative and as lethal as Snow White’s poison apple, the American dream is a running theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby.” Jay Gatsby, the peculiar main character, represents both the beauty and reality of the American dream. Gatsby’s character uncovers the true corruption behind the dazzling opulence of the twenties. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald makes thoughtful and often critical observations about the impossibility of the American dream. The American dream is harshly analyzed by Fitzgerald and embodied by Jay Gatsby.
Gatsby’s character represents aspects of the flawless archetype of the American dream. For instance, Wolfsheim, Gatsby’s business partner, reveals, “He [Gatsby] hadn’t eat anything for a …show more content…
Notably, Nick states, “I called up Daisy half an hour after we found him [Gatsby], called her instinctively and without hesitation. But she and Tom had gone away early that afternoon and take baggage with them,” (Fitzgerald 164). Even after his death, Gatsby didn’t receive remorse from his ultimate dream, Daisy. Even after grandiose displays of wealth and adulation, Daisy’s love, much like the American dream, just wasn’t attainable. Furthermore, Nick writes, “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it, He did not know that it was already behind him,” (Fitzgerald 180). In like manner, Nick writes, “Involuntarily I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single and green light, minute and far way, that might have been the end of a dock,” (Fitzgerald 21). Although Gatsby’s overall character is a symbol for the American dream, the green light is often thought as a more obvious one. Even in this short passage, Fitzgerald describes the green light as “minute” and “far way,” which enforces the idea that Fitzgerald views the American dream as virtually impossible to grasp. Gatsby may have gotten close to his dream, but he had missed it by just a hair. This passage further emphasizes Fitzgerald’s point of the impossibility of the American dream. Additionally, Gatsby’s father shows Nick a list of “General Resolves” written by the young James Gatz. The list states goals like, “No more smokeing or chewing” and “Be better to parents,” (Fitzgerald 173). Gatsby as a young child was always striving to improve himself, especially ethically. However, these ambitions soon spoiled once he committed to the life of criminal. This was all done in vain for the dazzling and impossible American dream. In like manner, Wolfsheim says, “Finest specimens of human molars,” when referring to his
As provocative and as lethal as Snow White’s poison apple, the American dream is a running theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby.” Jay Gatsby, the peculiar main character, represents both the beauty and reality of the American dream. Gatsby’s character uncovers the true corruption behind the dazzling opulence of the twenties. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald makes thoughtful and often critical observations about the impossibility of the American dream. The American dream is harshly analyzed by Fitzgerald and embodied by Jay Gatsby.
Gatsby’s character represents aspects of the flawless archetype of the American dream. For instance, Wolfsheim, Gatsby’s business partner, reveals, “He [Gatsby] hadn’t eat anything for a …show more content…
Notably, Nick states, “I called up Daisy half an hour after we found him [Gatsby], called her instinctively and without hesitation. But she and Tom had gone away early that afternoon and take baggage with them,” (Fitzgerald 164). Even after his death, Gatsby didn’t receive remorse from his ultimate dream, Daisy. Even after grandiose displays of wealth and adulation, Daisy’s love, much like the American dream, just wasn’t attainable. Furthermore, Nick writes, “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it, He did not know that it was already behind him,” (Fitzgerald 180). In like manner, Nick writes, “Involuntarily I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single and green light, minute and far way, that might have been the end of a dock,” (Fitzgerald 21). Although Gatsby’s overall character is a symbol for the American dream, the green light is often thought as a more obvious one. Even in this short passage, Fitzgerald describes the green light as “minute” and “far way,” which enforces the idea that Fitzgerald views the American dream as virtually impossible to grasp. Gatsby may have gotten close to his dream, but he had missed it by just a hair. This passage further emphasizes Fitzgerald’s point of the impossibility of the American dream. Additionally, Gatsby’s father shows Nick a list of “General Resolves” written by the young James Gatz. The list states goals like, “No more smokeing or chewing” and “Be better to parents,” (Fitzgerald 173). Gatsby as a young child was always striving to improve himself, especially ethically. However, these ambitions soon spoiled once he committed to the life of criminal. This was all done in vain for the dazzling and impossible American dream. In like manner, Wolfsheim says, “Finest specimens of human molars,” when referring to his