Jim Cullen defines the American Dream to be derived from the goals of the puritans which was to achieve a better life. This is seen through two elements within Cullen’s definition which are the social mobility and accumulation of wealth. Social mobility is basically the ability for one to elevate their social status or economic standing. The accumulation of wealth is described to be self-explanatory and is the ability of one to earn an immense about of wealth. These elements are embodied throughout the characters in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, whether or not these elements of the American Dream were achieved depends on the accomplishments of that specific character, much like within today’s society. As seen within “Hollywood Dreams
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In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald conveys Nick to aspire to ascend in social mobility, this is why he moved to the east in the first place; Nick wanted to acquire his wealth through the bond business. Nick was not successful at social mobility because throughout the whole book he remains within the same social standing and economic class. He moved to the east and accomplished nothing. Fitzgerald shows how Nick feels about his life at the end of chapter 7. He writes “Thirty—the promise of a decade of loneliness, the thinning list of single men to know, a thinning briefcase of enthusiasm, thinning hair.” This line showed that Nick was self aware that he hadn't achieve anything worth mentioning. Nick is feeling the pressure that time to accomplish his American Dream is running out while he has made no progress in social mobility. Fitzgerald portrayed Nick this way to show that the American Dream is much more difficult to achieve than many are lead to believe. As seen through out “Hollywood Dreams of Wealth, Youth and Beauty” the American Dream is sold to many but not attainable. Mondello writes “It manufactures optimism, and in the process of selling it, can make the possibility of success feel wondrously real,” this shows that movies are giving Americans false hope and as we see from The Great Gatsby this leaves Americans like Nick, who represents the majority, within the same place, failing in social mobility. Nick’s failure despite his own chances to succeed show that social mobility is once again not
In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald conveys Nick to aspire to ascend in social mobility, this is why he moved to the east in the first place; Nick wanted to acquire his wealth through the bond business. Nick was not successful at social mobility because throughout the whole book he remains within the same social standing and economic class. He moved to the east and accomplished nothing. Fitzgerald shows how Nick feels about his life at the end of chapter 7. He writes “Thirty—the promise of a decade of loneliness, the thinning list of single men to know, a thinning briefcase of enthusiasm, thinning hair.” This line showed that Nick was self aware that he hadn't achieve anything worth mentioning. Nick is feeling the pressure that time to accomplish his American Dream is running out while he has made no progress in social mobility. Fitzgerald portrayed Nick this way to show that the American Dream is much more difficult to achieve than many are lead to believe. As seen through out “Hollywood Dreams of Wealth, Youth and Beauty” the American Dream is sold to many but not attainable. Mondello writes “It manufactures optimism, and in the process of selling it, can make the possibility of success feel wondrously real,” this shows that movies are giving Americans false hope and as we see from The Great Gatsby this leaves Americans like Nick, who represents the majority, within the same place, failing in social mobility. Nick’s failure despite his own chances to succeed show that social mobility is once again not