The American Dream is the idea that anyone can attain success and upward mobility, despite what class they were born into. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, many characters desire to obtain this dream; however, their failure to achieve this lifestyle shows the concept of the American Dream is just an illusion. Fitzgerald shows few characters actually successfully living in the elite upper class; most are just trying to get there. Tom and Daisy Buchanan are the only two characters that have this lifestyle, purely because they were both born into it. A lower class citizen attempting to achieve the American Dream finds it impossible, due to the American Dream is just an idea, not a reality. Jay Gatsby and George and Myrtle Wilson are
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Gatsby spent his entire childhood as James Gatz, a boy planning his upward spiral towards greatness. He had always believed “he was the son of a God” and “his imagination had never really accepted” his unsuccessful farmer parents as “his parents at all” (98). He made scheduled times during his day for him to study how to reinvent himself by practicing “elocution, poise and how to attain it” (173). Gatsby bases everything off of his blindness by the American Dream. He loves Daisy because she represents money and materialism. To him, she’s not only incredibly beautiful and wealthy, but has a voice “full of money” (120). This shows the true reason Gatsby wants Daisy so desperately is the same reason Gatsby changes his name to Jay Gatsby and practiced how to act like a upper class citizen: because he wants to obtain the American Dream. Having Daisy by his side will further illude the idea that Gatsby is a part of the upper class. This is an example of Gatsby’s appearance vs. who he really is. When he and Daisy first reunite at Nick’s house he makes sure to get the grass cut to make Nick’s shack appear nice. In reality, Nick’s lawn was a mess; “there was a sharp line where [Nick’s] ragged lawn ended and the darker, well-kept expanse of [Gatsby’s] began” (82). Another thing Gatsby does to impress Daisy and maintain his mirage is throw extravagant parties. He makes them seem big and enjoyable to get
Gatsby spent his entire childhood as James Gatz, a boy planning his upward spiral towards greatness. He had always believed “he was the son of a God” and “his imagination had never really accepted” his unsuccessful farmer parents as “his parents at all” (98). He made scheduled times during his day for him to study how to reinvent himself by practicing “elocution, poise and how to attain it” (173). Gatsby bases everything off of his blindness by the American Dream. He loves Daisy because she represents money and materialism. To him, she’s not only incredibly beautiful and wealthy, but has a voice “full of money” (120). This shows the true reason Gatsby wants Daisy so desperately is the same reason Gatsby changes his name to Jay Gatsby and practiced how to act like a upper class citizen: because he wants to obtain the American Dream. Having Daisy by his side will further illude the idea that Gatsby is a part of the upper class. This is an example of Gatsby’s appearance vs. who he really is. When he and Daisy first reunite at Nick’s house he makes sure to get the grass cut to make Nick’s shack appear nice. In reality, Nick’s lawn was a mess; “there was a sharp line where [Nick’s] ragged lawn ended and the darker, well-kept expanse of [Gatsby’s] began” (82). Another thing Gatsby does to impress Daisy and maintain his mirage is throw extravagant parties. He makes them seem big and enjoyable to get