The Great Gatsby American Dream Analysis

In the 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby, American author F. Scott Fitzgerald tells a story of the effects that societal class has on love. This story creates the basis for Fitzgerald’s views on the American dream, which varies personally for each character of the novel. Although the American dream is different for each character, Fitzgerald proves that they each have an American dream or goal set in mind. All the dreams have a coherent goal of happiness experienced through love. Although every character in The Great Gatsby held onto these specific goals, Fitzgerald proved that the characters kept striving to reach the greater goal that in the end is just out of reach. Despite differing views on the American dream shown by differing characters,
Throughout the novel, Gatsby proves that everything he had accomplished was indeed to win Daisy back. For example, it is made known that Gatsby is an extremely wealthy man following his return from the war. From what Gatsby uncovers, his wealth comes because of simply being a businessman in the alcohol and drug industry. In the 1920’s prohibition was evident, making the desire to have alcohol increase, causing business to boom. Gatsby’s desire for wealth is a result of the differing social classes between Daisy and himself in the past relationship. Daisy was much wealthier then Gatsby in the past years, and although she truly loved Gatsby, she had a larger desire to make her family proud and marry a man of equal social class. Knowing this, Gatsby believes if he can build himself up, Daisy may come back to him. Another example of Gatsby’s efforts, "’It was a strange coincidence,’ I said. ‘But it wasn't a coincidence at all.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.’” (Fitzgerald 63). In the conversation between Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker, it is uncovered that the only reason Gatsby had bought the large mansion was to become closer with Daisy. Despite Gatsby’s growing popularity due to the large and extravagant parties he throws, the whole point of the house is to wait for Daisy in hopes she’d finally see him
Scott Fitzgerald comments on the American dream through the novel that although the characters may be able to rise and create a name for themselves, they will never be able to obtain the true goal at heart. This true goal for many of the characters again being love. After challenging work and the growing desire for wealth, the characters found themselves with their dreams simply out of