Happiness is Priceless
The American Dream is a belief that when individuals work hard and are dedicated, they will live a life of prosperity and success. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic novel about one’s ambition for happiness, love, and money; the book highlights how these themes can affect the lives of affluent individuals. The belief that wealth decides an individual's success is common amongst the characters of the novel. Conversely - for many of these characters - their wealth fails to make them happy in life; they are blinded by the idea that money can buy happiness and love. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald shows the reader how money can corrupt one’s life. Through his use of plot and character relationships, …show more content…
He dreams of winning back Daisy by impressing her using his wealth; he believes that he can earn her love through money. His wealth distracts him from what is really important, and his delusion to impress Daisy takes over his life. Because of his obsession to achieve this goal, he lies about his past to Daisy such as, attending Oxford university, and how he obtained his wealth. Indeed, Gatsby is a very wealthy character; he hosts parties every weekend, in hope Daisy will show up. Ultimately, he fails to win back his true love. Fitzgerald deftly portrays how love cannot be bought. Daisy says to Gatsby, “Even alone, I can’t say I never loved Tom, it wouldn’t be true” (126). Daisy’s decision to stay with Tom over Gatsby, accurately describes how money cannot win love. Thus, Gatsby’s superficial life has ruined his dream, and he never got to experience the life he truly …show more content…
Fitzgerald divides the wealthy characters into two different social classes. He differentiates those who have newer money and older money. Tom is part of the old money social class, as he is born with riches. He lives in East Egg where he is with other people who strongly value wealth. Tom’s wealth gives him the power to purchase whatever he desires; despite this, Fitzgerald makes it clear that there is a sense of emptiness in his life. Tom pursues an affair with Myrtle Wilson, this suggests that he is dissatisfied with his marriage. This is exemplified when Nick says, “The fact that he had one [a mistress] was insisted upon wherever he was known. His acquaintances resented the fact that he turned up in popular restaurants with her and, leaving her at a table, sauntered about, chatting with whomever he knew.” (3-4). Tom possess a vast amount of wealth, yet he is still unhappy. Noble born individuals tend to believe that wealth is a crucial factor in determining one’s happiness. Tom is so accustomed to living a rich lifestyle that he is so caught up in this idea of happiness. In the end, his life is far from
The American Dream is a belief that when individuals work hard and are dedicated, they will live a life of prosperity and success. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic novel about one’s ambition for happiness, love, and money; the book highlights how these themes can affect the lives of affluent individuals. The belief that wealth decides an individual's success is common amongst the characters of the novel. Conversely - for many of these characters - their wealth fails to make them happy in life; they are blinded by the idea that money can buy happiness and love. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald shows the reader how money can corrupt one’s life. Through his use of plot and character relationships, …show more content…
He dreams of winning back Daisy by impressing her using his wealth; he believes that he can earn her love through money. His wealth distracts him from what is really important, and his delusion to impress Daisy takes over his life. Because of his obsession to achieve this goal, he lies about his past to Daisy such as, attending Oxford university, and how he obtained his wealth. Indeed, Gatsby is a very wealthy character; he hosts parties every weekend, in hope Daisy will show up. Ultimately, he fails to win back his true love. Fitzgerald deftly portrays how love cannot be bought. Daisy says to Gatsby, “Even alone, I can’t say I never loved Tom, it wouldn’t be true” (126). Daisy’s decision to stay with Tom over Gatsby, accurately describes how money cannot win love. Thus, Gatsby’s superficial life has ruined his dream, and he never got to experience the life he truly …show more content…
Fitzgerald divides the wealthy characters into two different social classes. He differentiates those who have newer money and older money. Tom is part of the old money social class, as he is born with riches. He lives in East Egg where he is with other people who strongly value wealth. Tom’s wealth gives him the power to purchase whatever he desires; despite this, Fitzgerald makes it clear that there is a sense of emptiness in his life. Tom pursues an affair with Myrtle Wilson, this suggests that he is dissatisfied with his marriage. This is exemplified when Nick says, “The fact that he had one [a mistress] was insisted upon wherever he was known. His acquaintances resented the fact that he turned up in popular restaurants with her and, leaving her at a table, sauntered about, chatting with whomever he knew.” (3-4). Tom possess a vast amount of wealth, yet he is still unhappy. Noble born individuals tend to believe that wealth is a crucial factor in determining one’s happiness. Tom is so accustomed to living a rich lifestyle that he is so caught up in this idea of happiness. In the end, his life is far from