What is the American Dream? Is it to be wealthy or to have the desire for rising to the top? In the present world, we as a people, have a widely different opinion of what we call the American Dream. Some are fine with what they have and their dream is to live the rest of their life out as successful and happy dwellers. Others want social status and for major amounts of wealth. However, those who have impacted the world the most seem to want more and more, never actually settling with what they posses. However, this idea has changed over time and this is shown vividly in the Great Gatsby. One of the major recurring themes in the Great Gatsby is the American attitude and the sociology of wealth, especially, how the American Dream has developed
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In the Roaring 1920’s the American Dream at the time was to chase after wealth and social status disregarding emotion and logic. This quote of how Daisy’s voice sounds to Gatsby shows this concept, “‘Her voice is full of money," he said suddenly.”(7.99) Gatsby is a symbol for the up and coming rich. Many people around him think of him as a glorified man, and even Nick Carraway thinks when he sees him that there is “something glorious”(8) about the way Gatsby carries himself. Gatsby is in complete love with Daisy, but cannot will himself to give his wealth or power away. He is still power hungry even though he has an expansive amount of money. He is still looking for ways to obtain money by even running “drugstores” which taint his personality and character. Although Gatsby has his flaws, Daisy is dealing with the same situation. No matter how much they love each other they are to caught up in the “unreal of reality”(89). This traps Gatsby from seeing the true American Dream. He is unable to get away from the addiction of money, and it will prevent him from finding any true happiness much like the character Mr. Krabs from
In the Roaring 1920’s the American Dream at the time was to chase after wealth and social status disregarding emotion and logic. This quote of how Daisy’s voice sounds to Gatsby shows this concept, “‘Her voice is full of money," he said suddenly.”(7.99) Gatsby is a symbol for the up and coming rich. Many people around him think of him as a glorified man, and even Nick Carraway thinks when he sees him that there is “something glorious”(8) about the way Gatsby carries himself. Gatsby is in complete love with Daisy, but cannot will himself to give his wealth or power away. He is still power hungry even though he has an expansive amount of money. He is still looking for ways to obtain money by even running “drugstores” which taint his personality and character. Although Gatsby has his flaws, Daisy is dealing with the same situation. No matter how much they love each other they are to caught up in the “unreal of reality”(89). This traps Gatsby from seeing the true American Dream. He is unable to get away from the addiction of money, and it will prevent him from finding any true happiness much like the character Mr. Krabs from