Exploring the American Dream in The Great Gatsby

The American Dream has always been a widely popular concept that has attracted millions of people from all over the world to the United States. People see America as a land of opportunity, where they can achieve their dreams, become successful and live a great life. However, F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of The Great Gatsby, has a different view of the American Dream. In his novel, Fitzgerald portrays the idea of the American Dream as a false hope that ultimately leads to disappointment and despair.

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is set in the roaring 1920s, a time when the American economy was booming, and people were living the high life. Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of the novel, is a young man who has achieved great wealth and success, yet he is still unhappy and unfulfilled. Gatsby is driven by his desire to attain the American Dream, which for him means winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, and living happily ever after with her.

Gatsby’s story is a tragic one, as his quest for the American Dream is doomed from the start. Despite his wealth and success, he is not accepted into the upper class society due to his humble origins. He is seen as an outsider who is trying too hard to fit in, and this ultimately leads to his downfall.

The Illusion of the American Dream

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald shows that the American Dream is nothing but an illusion, a false hope that can never be achieved. He argues that the pursuit of wealth and success can only lead to disappointment and despair. The characters in the novel are all chasing after the American Dream, yet they are all ultimately unhappy and unfulfilled.

Gatsby represents the very essence of the American Dream. He embodies the idea that anyone, regardless of their social background, can achieve great wealth and success in America. However, Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream is misguided, as he believes that money can buy him happiness and love. Fitzgerald shows that this is not the case, and that the pursuit of wealth and success can only lead to loneliness and isolation.

The American Dream as a Tool of Control

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald also highlights how the American Dream is used as a tool of control. He argues that the idea of the American Dream is a way for the upper class society to maintain power and control over those who are less fortunate. The American Dream is presented as a promise of a better life, but in reality, it is an unattainable goal that keeps people trapped in their current circumstances.

The characters in the novel are all victims of this control. They are all chasing after the American Dream, yet they are all unable to achieve it. The upper class society is shown to be in complete control, manipulating the characters’ desires and dreams to suit their own needs.

Conclusion

The Great Gatsby is a novel that challenges the idea of the American Dream. It portrays the pursuit of wealth and success as a misguided and ultimately destructive goal. Fitzgerald shows that the American Dream is an illusion, a false hope that can never be achieved. He argues that the pursuit of the American Dream is a tool of control used by the upper class society to maintain power and control over those who are less fortunate. In the end, The Great Gatsby forces readers to question the validity of the American Dream and its role in our society today.