The American Dream In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ depicts the roaring1920’s and how society functions under the influence of the American Dream. American society during this period was determined to improve the quality of life in the country and the individual. In “The Great Gatsby”, the American Dream is hidden behind a mirage of things including corruption, beauty, greed, and, most of all, lies. All these factors gave many people a sense of false entitlement in an era when economic and social status were rising rapidly in a booming economy. Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby” criticizes the supposed American Dream of the time. In the roaring 20s, that the American Dream was mainly about material items and selfishness. Fitzgerald shows readers the American
Dream in this time period is centered around relationships, material items, youth, and the emergence of selfishness. The average person valued material items more than having strong morals such as being fair and loyal. A life of extreme luxury doesn't come without potential pitfalls and consequences as shown in ‘The Great Gatsby’. This type of society puts people in a sort of pretend world but in reality the American Dream is effectively an illusion. Total equality is an almost impossible feat even with the opportunities presented to the average American in his lifetime, thus success is elusive. A corrupt businessman, Meyer Wolfshiem, is a good representation of just how watered downed the American Dream is. The character gives off a sense of brutality and yet he interacts with Caraway and Gatsby with no problem.“A small, flat-nosed Jew raised his large head and regarded me with two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril. After a moment I discovered his tiny eyes in the half-darkness” (Fitzgerald 73-74). Wolfshiem is highly regarded by Jay Gatsby as a pleasant businessman and gentlemen. Wolfshiem eventually ends up representing corruption in the American dream later in the story. In writing The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald wanted to convey the ugly side of the so called American Dream to the American population.
According to Fitzgerald, Americans are less likely to fall into the trap of the American Dream if they are more informed about its pitfalls and illusions. Gatsby become the center of the story due to his big personality and desire to attain the American Dream. He strives for material items and wealth but is left without the one thing money cannot buy, and that is love. His pursuit of Daisy makes his intentions and motivation clear, that his American Dream isn't complete without her. "No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what man will store up in his ghostly heart”(Fitzgerald 101). Therefore, Jay Gatsby’s actual dream of getting Daisy back is an extension of the real American Dream. This is why through all of the tragedy Jay Gatsby remains untainted unlock Daisy,Tom,Jordan and Wolfshiem. Gatsby’s shocking and tragic death shows the readers how the American Dream can cause so much pain and hardship. Gatsby’s death sheds light on just how corrupt moral the rest of the characters are living in this American Dream. Personally Gatsby’s death feels as though Gatsby’s death brings him peace that he never fully
had. The Great Gatsby describes many places that symbolize and explain the American Dream. Gatsby’s huge and extravagant mansion oozes of materialism and wealth. Gatsby believes this huge and luxury mansion is the missing ingredient to mastering his romantic life and or lack thereof. The mansion symbolizes how the American Dream pushes and inspires people to spend money irresponsibly on things that in the end of life do not matter.
The Valley of Ashes is a crucial and symbolic aspect in the story. Most of the places in The Great Gatsby are very wealthy and over the top; the Valley of Ashes gives a view of another world within the story. The Valley of Ashes is portrayed as a dark dreary place where dirty homes are everywhere. This dark place in the story is symbolic of how he American Dream goes to shit when morals and corruption are non existent. Materialism tends to cause ethics and morals to be neglect which causes many areas like the Valley of Ashes to appear due too income inequality. Readers can clearly see that no matter where you are in the American Dream escaping from the corruption and materialism is nearly impossible. Americans will always be affected by the idea of the American Dream. The aura surrounding this great country is one that has existed since the first immigrants came to Ellis Island. Much like the immigrants Gatsby’s assertion through hard work meant little when his pursuit of the American Dream cost him his life. His ultimate goal was not attained and that in tells is tragic. Fitzgerald wrote, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter-- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…. And one fine morning—”(Fitzgerald 189) .Fitzgerald does show how Americans are fighters and will never give up on their dreams. Even when the end result is negative and evil people will still shoot for the opportunity to get that dream no matter the cost.