Current Day American Dream In The Great Gatsby
Throughout American history, the American Dream has been birthed, evolved, and molded into what the dream is today. So what is the current day American Dream? In the essay, “The Great Gatsby”, Pigeon takes us through a detailed account of the American Dream’s birth and evolution to the current day American Dream. The dream started out with the desperate hope of the Puritans to be in the Elect; a group of people chosen by God to attain eternal life. The Calvinists then extended on this belief by asserting that this group of Elect would be marked with prosper, thus completing the wealth aspect of the American Dream. Then came the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness aspect of the dream, originating with Thomas Jefferson in America’s own Declaration
of Independence. This aspect of the dream formed the idea of freedom for any person to pursue exactly what they wanted in life. Finally came the rugged individualism aspect of the dream which defined the idea that every man can and should exist and prosper for himself and his own good. This completes the current American Dream; Opportunity for each according to his or her ability. However, given America’s personal prejudices, current economic status, and present day education system, is the great American Dream possible for all? It is not.
of Independence. This aspect of the dream formed the idea of freedom for any person to pursue exactly what they wanted in life. Finally came the rugged individualism aspect of the dream which defined the idea that every man can and should exist and prosper for himself and his own good. This completes the current American Dream; Opportunity for each according to his or her ability. However, given America’s personal prejudices, current economic status, and present day education system, is the great American Dream possible for all? It is not.