NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
The American Dream 'Their love is founded upon feelings from the past, these give it, notwithstanding Gatsby's insistence on being able to repeat the past, an inviolability. It exists in the world of money and corruption but is not of it. ' The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is about the American Dream, and the demise of those who attempt to capture its false goals. For Jay, the dream is that, through wealth and power, one can obtain happiness. To get this happiness Jay must reach into the past and relive an old dream and in order to do this he must have wealth and power. Jay Gatsby, the central figure of the story, is a character who longs for the past.
He devotes most of his adult life trying to recapture it and, eventually dying in its pursuit. In the past, Gatsby had a love affair with the beautiful and seemingly innocent Daisy. Knowing he could not marry her because of the difference in their social status, he leaves her to accumulate his wealth so that he reaches her economic and social standards. Once he acquires this wealth, he moves just across the bay from her and her husband, Tom. At this mansion, he throws extravagant parties, hoping by chance that Daisy might show up at one of them.
He does not actually attend his parties but watches them from a distance. When this attempt fails, he asks around casually if anyone knows her. Soon he meets Nick Carraway, his neighbor and fortunately a cousin of Daisy, who agrees to set up a meeting. Later, during a confrontation in the Plaza Hotel, Gatsby still believes that Daisy loves him.
He is convinced of this as is shown when he takes the blame for Myrtle's death even though it had been Daisy who was driving. He also watches and protects Daisy as she returns home that night after all the secret affairs come unfolded, agreeing to stay all night waiting outside her house if Tom tries anything. Gatsby cannot accept that the past is gone and done with. Gatsby is sure that he can capture his dream with wealth and influence. He believes that he went beyond his personal interest and that should guarantee success. Nick attempts to show Gatsby the flaw of his dream, but Gatsby innocently replies to Nick's statement that the past cannot be relived by saying, 'Can't repeat the past? ...
Why of course you can!' This shows the confidence that Gatsby has in reviving his relationship with Daisy. Gatsby's American Dream is not material possessions, although it may seem that way. He only comes into riches so that he can fulfill his true dream, Daisy. Gatsby's personal dream symbolizes the larger American Dream where all have the opportunity to get what they want. Gatsby won't rest until his dream is finally lived.
However, it never comes about and he ends up paying the ultimate price for it. The idea of the American Dream has come to be focused on simple, yet somewhat unattainable things such as wealth, love, or fame. There is one thing that never changes about the American Dream; everyone desires something in life, and everyone, somehow, strives to get it. A big house, nice cars, kids, a dog, a beautiful devoted spouse, power and a ridiculous amount of money. That is the classical American Dream, at least for some. The American Dream is tangible perfection while in reality perfection does not exist.
Living the American Dream is living in perfection, which is truly impossible. Fitzgerald proves that the wonderful American Dream is unattainable through the novel The Great Gatsby by using vain, yet amusing characters. Fitzgerald's feelings towards the world around him are mirrored in his characters. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald suggested the moral decline of the period in American history through the relationships among his characters.
The situations in the lives of the characters show the worthlessness of materialism, the unsuccessful attempt of Myrtle and Gatsby. He also shows how America's moral values had diminished through the actions of Daisy, Tom, Jordan, and Gatsby's party guests. Despite his newly found fortune, Gatsby still cannot afford his one true wish, therefore he cannot buy everything which is important to Daisy. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald teaches the lesson of being true to one's self and following one's own personal dream, not the one Americans are programmed to have.
Free research essays on topics related to: repeat the past, wealth and power, great gatsby, american dream, f scott fitzgerald
Research essay sample on The Great Gatsby American Dream
