The Great Gatsby American Dream Theme

The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, introduces us to the narrator, Nick Carraway, who tells the story of how he became a friend of a mysterious, wealthy man, Gatsby, and how he learned of Gatsby’s tragic life story. Interestingly, there are many themes and ideas that the novel, The Great Gatsby explores but Gatsby’s pursuit of the American dream is one of its prominent themes. The novel explores the idea in multiple ways and some of these ways being symbolism, dialogue and actions of the characters. Ultimately, The Great Gatsby provokes the reader to consider what the American dream truly is and at what expense should it be pursued. Carraway enables us to understand that Jay Gatsby decided the pursuit of the American dream
at any expense is not only worthy, but vital. Correspondingly, it is important to recognize that Gatsby’s dream of an affluent life began before he met many of the characters that are introduced in the novel. Notably, since Gatsby’s story is narrated by someone who came to know him towards the end of his life, it is not told in chronological order. Consequently, it is later in the story that Nick learns that Gatsby had humble beginnings, of his real name, James Gatz, and that it was late in Gatsby’s life where he pursued opportunities that led him to become extremely wealthy. Also, it isn’t until almost the end of the novel he learns from Gatsby’s father, that as a young boy Gatz kept a journal that contained his schedule of self-improvement (pp. 184-185). Therefore, though Gatsby dreamed his entire life of the American dream, by nature of his poor beginning his opportunities to obtain it were rare and came later in his life. Although, when one thinks of the pursuit of the American dream, they conclude it is obtained through honest hard work, education and perseverance. However, most characters were all suspect of the mysterious nature of Gatsby and the source of his income, but very few knew what led to his success. When he was seventeen, he had pursued an education, straightaway he felt he was above the janitor position that enabled him to go to school so he only lasted weeks. Provided that he would not get far without an education, his next attempt to gain wealth was actually through a mentor, Dan Cody, who provided him small jobs and many lavish experiences. Cody was to leave Gatsby a large amount of money within his will. However, when Cody died Gatsby never saw the money he was left (p. 113). Since he was once more without many resources or options, his next attempt was through working for Meyer Wolfsheim, a known crooked gambler (p. 183). Through his success with Wolfsheim he became independently wealthy, as such he did not have the expected path towards the American dream. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was difficult for Gatsby to reach the same amount of wealth by more legitimate means. In this story, that takes place within the 1920s there were clear class divisions. Within these class divisions were expectations of who was valued. The old money, defined in the book as East Egg, looked down upon all others and would not present opportunities to other than their own. The new money, defined in the novel as West Egg, valued little else than lavish parties and excess. It was very difficult for West Egg to sustain their wealth with such reckless lifestyles nor earn the respect of those of East Egg. Nick reveals the lack of respect East Egg have for people who live in West Egg by Jordan Baker’s obvious contempt when he revealed he lived in West Egg (p. 11) and Daisy’s complete discomfort at Gatsby’s party in West Egg, “She was appalled by West Egg, this unprecedented “place” that Broadway had begotten upon a Long Island fishing village…” (p. 15). Another of the class distinctions were those who were poor, represented as the valley of ashes, who were not valued or thought of at all, so there was little to support their advancement. There are other classes, but the only representation of them was Nick. Nick was satisfied with his degree of success, which did not gain him the degree of wealth he had originally envied in the story, but made his life comfortable. In the end of the novel, Nick decided he no longer sought to be being part of any of the Egg groups because the values of each of its members were flawed beyond his tolerance. He concluded he will obtain his American dream and did so without compromising his values. Categorically, Gatsby lived in and represented East Egg.
He threw lavish parties and spent ridiculous amounts of money to flaunt his wealth. When most think about what obtaining the American dream looks like, it appears as a house, a well taken care of family, generations of security, many different general ideas with clear relatable images. Conversely, Nick reveals Gatsby imagines his dream realized when he marries Daisy. Also the image of his dream is represented as a green light at Daisy’s house seen across the bay from Nick’s house (p. 99). His single-minded vision of success is something that most cannot fully comprehend. Most hope to woo and marry the person of their dreams, but usually this alone does not authenticate their level of success. Gatsby’s dream of success was earlier described as vital, because James Gatz conception of Gatsby completely disintegrates when Daisy becomes decisively unobtainable. In conclusion, Nick came to learn that a true and worthy American dream is one where values are sustained in the pursuit of wealth and success. In the beginning of the novel Gatsby was admired as long as he remained a mystery. As soon as the mystery fell away, so did the delusion that Gatsby was a man to deeply admire for his wealth. Consequently, Nick also learned that old money didn’t translate to a successful, happy and respectable life either. So the American dream can be modest, without excesses and without ridiculous amounts of money within the 1920s or until the end of
time.