1. Introduction
The American Dream has been a myth which arose in the United States of America. It is said that every human being has the ability to achieve anything he or she wants by working hard. Therefore, it has always been a subject in many films and books. Francis Scott Fitzgerald, an American author, also dealt with this topic in his novel “The Great Gatsby”, which was written in 1925.
This paper aims at providing an analysis of the American Dream with regard to “The Great Gatsby”. It defines the American Dream and how it is reflected in this novel with a view on success, wealth and social mobility.
This essay is divided into two parts, for giving an answer to the research question: Why is Jay Gatsby, the main character in F. Scott …show more content…
This definition is the most common one and it says that the American Dream, is “[..] that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. [..] It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." 7 For Adams, the core principle of the American Dream is a better life not just wealth, material possessions, and power. It is about self-development and fulfilling dreams.8
Also, the connotation of the phrase rags-to-riches is based on the idea of the American Dream. It emphasizes that social mobility is possible for anybody through their own effort. So, becoming a millionaire is associated with success.9
That means success is achievable but you have to work hard to fulfill your dreams and achieve your goals. Success depends on the character of somebody not on external conditions, because if someone is ambitious, aspiring, and determined enough he or she will achieve anything he or she set in his or her mind, while it is assumed that poverty is the result of laziness.10 Everybody can achieve his or …show more content…
“The Great Gatsby” is a novel which captures the 1920s in New York City. This decade was known as the Roaring Twenties because after the First World War economy increased rapidly in America. American society which was wealthy focused more and more on materialism and consuming. Many American people moved from rural areas to big cities to take advantage of the increasing economy.11 They took the opportunity to make a fortune through business regardless any social background, but the newly rich man was not appreciated by some. Members of nobility and aristocracy looked down on these self-made men so that they created the difference between “Old money and New
The American Dream has been a myth which arose in the United States of America. It is said that every human being has the ability to achieve anything he or she wants by working hard. Therefore, it has always been a subject in many films and books. Francis Scott Fitzgerald, an American author, also dealt with this topic in his novel “The Great Gatsby”, which was written in 1925.
This paper aims at providing an analysis of the American Dream with regard to “The Great Gatsby”. It defines the American Dream and how it is reflected in this novel with a view on success, wealth and social mobility.
This essay is divided into two parts, for giving an answer to the research question: Why is Jay Gatsby, the main character in F. Scott …show more content…
This definition is the most common one and it says that the American Dream, is “[..] that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. [..] It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." 7 For Adams, the core principle of the American Dream is a better life not just wealth, material possessions, and power. It is about self-development and fulfilling dreams.8
Also, the connotation of the phrase rags-to-riches is based on the idea of the American Dream. It emphasizes that social mobility is possible for anybody through their own effort. So, becoming a millionaire is associated with success.9
That means success is achievable but you have to work hard to fulfill your dreams and achieve your goals. Success depends on the character of somebody not on external conditions, because if someone is ambitious, aspiring, and determined enough he or she will achieve anything he or she set in his or her mind, while it is assumed that poverty is the result of laziness.10 Everybody can achieve his or …show more content…
“The Great Gatsby” is a novel which captures the 1920s in New York City. This decade was known as the Roaring Twenties because after the First World War economy increased rapidly in America. American society which was wealthy focused more and more on materialism and consuming. Many American people moved from rural areas to big cities to take advantage of the increasing economy.11 They took the opportunity to make a fortune through business regardless any social background, but the newly rich man was not appreciated by some. Members of nobility and aristocracy looked down on these self-made men so that they created the difference between “Old money and New