The Great Gatsby
! In todayʼs society, it seems that everyone strives to be at the top, and for many people, the top means the most success, and success means money. The American dream- to go from nothing to the pinnacle of success- is apparent both in the novel The
Great Gatsby and in the modern world. Another apparent aspect of the American
Dream is second chances, Gatsby, along with many other Americans today strives for second chances,
! Jay Gatsby seems to be the epitome of a man trying to find the American dream.
Gatsby was not always the rich extravagant man who throws luxurious parties that we meet in the beginning of the novel. His motives for rising to the top of the social ladder and acquiring wealth may be different than most peoples motives for achieving the
American dream. Gatsbyʼs lust for the American dream came out of his quest to one day finally be with the love of his life, Daisy. This bring up another aspect of the
American dream: second chances. More than anything, Jay wants a second chance with Daisy. He “had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again” and that he could get Daisy back. He does everything in his power to try to achieve this.
! Much of the American dream seems to be materialistic, and Gatsby definitely represents these materialistic parts of the American dream. He has the big house, the nice car, and throws his money around on his extravagant parties. Ultimately though,
Gatsby does not achieve the second part of the American dream; second chances.
Gatsby is murdered and never gets to spend his life with Daisy which is all he ever really wanted after he got out of the war. Gatsbyʼs “dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him.”
Katerina Bessey Monday, December 10, 2012 12:23:31 PM ET
! Material wealth definitely still exists in todays society. Many peopleʼs motives for achieving this material wealth is to be accepted by society. This
Great Gatsby and in the modern world. Another apparent aspect of the American
Dream is second chances, Gatsby, along with many other Americans today strives for second chances,
! Jay Gatsby seems to be the epitome of a man trying to find the American dream.
Gatsby was not always the rich extravagant man who throws luxurious parties that we meet in the beginning of the novel. His motives for rising to the top of the social ladder and acquiring wealth may be different than most peoples motives for achieving the
American dream. Gatsbyʼs lust for the American dream came out of his quest to one day finally be with the love of his life, Daisy. This bring up another aspect of the
American dream: second chances. More than anything, Jay wants a second chance with Daisy. He “had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again” and that he could get Daisy back. He does everything in his power to try to achieve this.
! Much of the American dream seems to be materialistic, and Gatsby definitely represents these materialistic parts of the American dream. He has the big house, the nice car, and throws his money around on his extravagant parties. Ultimately though,
Gatsby does not achieve the second part of the American dream; second chances.
Gatsby is murdered and never gets to spend his life with Daisy which is all he ever really wanted after he got out of the war. Gatsbyʼs “dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him.”
Katerina Bessey Monday, December 10, 2012 12:23:31 PM ET
! Material wealth definitely still exists in todays society. Many peopleʼs motives for achieving this material wealth is to be accepted by society. This