During the 1920s, the desire to achieve the American Dream was great, as the country was prosperous and people received more opportunities. It was the anticipation that through hard work and initiative one can attain true success. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates a different aspect of the American Dream, as it has become more materialistic. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby demonstrates the death of the American Dream, as it becomes an obsession, object oriented and without accomplishing his aspirations, dies in hope to achieve it.
Through Gatsby’s desire for wealth, Fitzgerald indicates that the American Dream is no longer the noble pursuit of progress but a competition for attaining the most possessions. The constant strive …show more content…
Daisy represented old money and wealth, however attaining Daisy in the way that Gatsby wanted was impossible, “Can’t repeat the past...Why of course you can” (110). Gatsby wanted to turn back to the time when they were both young and in love. What Daisy represented to him was a missed opportunity of the kind of love and lifestyle that had he been a rich young man he would have had. Having the wealth now did not mean as much, since Daisy would never go back to be the woman who never married Tom and who never had a child. Neither can his money now make him a rich young man in his youth, who would have been Daisy's equal. This is the dream he is chasing and the one impossible to fulfill. Gatsby has failed to realize that the American Dream diminished, as American society has become materialistic and class orientate. Gatsby’s obsession drives his further actions and blinds him from reality. He fails to see that Daisy will never be with him and the past will never be relived. Gatsby has spent his whole life longing for better with money, success, acceptance, and to have Daisy. No matter how much wealth and possessions he has, he never feels complete. He still wishes just for Daisy, he created a place for her in his dreams. His fascination is what forces him to take the blame for Myrtle's death and ultimately kills him. The American Dream has adapted to fill the human desire for possessions and conclusively led to its
Through Gatsby’s desire for wealth, Fitzgerald indicates that the American Dream is no longer the noble pursuit of progress but a competition for attaining the most possessions. The constant strive …show more content…
Daisy represented old money and wealth, however attaining Daisy in the way that Gatsby wanted was impossible, “Can’t repeat the past...Why of course you can” (110). Gatsby wanted to turn back to the time when they were both young and in love. What Daisy represented to him was a missed opportunity of the kind of love and lifestyle that had he been a rich young man he would have had. Having the wealth now did not mean as much, since Daisy would never go back to be the woman who never married Tom and who never had a child. Neither can his money now make him a rich young man in his youth, who would have been Daisy's equal. This is the dream he is chasing and the one impossible to fulfill. Gatsby has failed to realize that the American Dream diminished, as American society has become materialistic and class orientate. Gatsby’s obsession drives his further actions and blinds him from reality. He fails to see that Daisy will never be with him and the past will never be relived. Gatsby has spent his whole life longing for better with money, success, acceptance, and to have Daisy. No matter how much wealth and possessions he has, he never feels complete. He still wishes just for Daisy, he created a place for her in his dreams. His fascination is what forces him to take the blame for Myrtle's death and ultimately kills him. The American Dream has adapted to fill the human desire for possessions and conclusively led to its