The Connotation Of American Dream

The general definition of American dream
American dream refers to the pursuit of the equality, freedom and corporeal property. American dream has always been one of the most popular motifs in American literature. As a spirit came into being as America was founded, American dream became stronger and stronger in American people’s mind. It seemed American people can get what they want by work. This kind of spirit encourages American people generation by generation and prompts America to become the most developed country and own the most wealth in this world.
In different time American dream has different meanings
Nowadays, America is the super power, however, America dream has more connotations as time goes by. And it has different meanings in
At that time, the immigrants were puritans from Europe. Among them, British puritans and peasants were the most typical ones. When they arrived in America, their desires for political equality were strong, so the demand for democracy had been accomplished. Thus, the equal rights became the connotation of American dream in that period. As gold rush in the late 18th century and the early 19th century began to emerge, some lucky dogs made fortune over night, this gold rush became a legend and promoted the immigration rush. American dream was decorated with the color of gold. But after the Civil War, especially after 1990s, America began to industrialize. American dream had new connotations. Most people thought that it means to pursue wealth and money. They got successful by hard work and endeavor. People gave positive meaning, wisdom and endeavor for American. Since then, America experienced a long time of rapid expansion, more and more people went to America to find their own dreams. However, after the WWI，the connotation of American dream had been changing
So the author didn’t criticize American dream, on the contrary, the merits and spirits that Gatsby owns would never be destroyed, and they would come back into the large amount of American wealth. The critics also hold a point of view that in the process of pursuit of American dream, Gatsby’s dream has never broken, even thought he finally dies, his dream is still remained in his heart. As Gatsby dies with his American dream, we can see that the author has blends his ambivalent mentality into the novel. On one hand, just like Gatsby, Fitzgerald is attracted by Daisy’s beauty, but one the other hand, he is aware that the splendid appearance can never cover vulgarities and inanition. Gatsby’s unbroken dream reveals that American dream has powerful charms and lasting attraction, it influences American lives deeply. But this affection is not always positive, it is full of ambivalence and anxiety. The repeating referred “green light” in this novel is the symbol of American dream that everyone wants, and it is illusion and desire. But to some people, American dream is their faith. But individual’s future and fate are related with the surroundings, living in a world with corruption and corporeal property, it is nature for Gatsby to make his romantic love come true, and his dream is doomed to be buried in the cruel realities in