Great Gatsby and The American Dream
"Throughout American history the idea of progress had persisted as a national destiny and a personal dream." In this way Ruth Sidel, author of On Her Own, simply defines "The American Dream." Throughout the novel, The Great Gatsby, the main character, Jay Gatsby, relentlessly strives to achieve this surreal and unattainable dream. The "American Dream," is full of hope that the past can be left behind and that a new world can be born. Stories of "rags-to-riches" provide optimism, and are a favorite among the young and aspiring. The American dream involves acquiring material wealth, cars, and admiration of others. In the dream, prosperity will bring happiness, fulfillment, and power. For the most part, Gatsby has already achieved the majority of a classic "American Dream" when the novel starts. The only thing he lacks is the warmth of a wife who loves him and adoring children to come home to. The American dream includes both financial success and a cozy hearth at home. In spite of his success, Gatsby's one true desire, the attainment of Daisy Buchanan, has not yet been fulfilled. Aware of this major shortcoming, Gatsby becomes recklessly obsessed and single-mindedly determined to acqui
The green light at the end of Buchanan's dock symbolizes Gatsby's most unfathomable aspiration; the prize of Daisy's love and companionship. The light is a constant reminder of Daisy and her unclaimed love. The light however does not always bring hope and optimism to Gatsby. When Gatsby goes to show Daisy the light and a heavy fog hides it, Nick perceives, "Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever... Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one." The obviousness of both Daisy and Gatsby's selfish existence, and the reality that only genuine love truly brings happiness in life, gradually dawn on Nick as the book progresses. Gatsby's obsession begins to drive him akjdfhksmdhfsdkjhway from reality as Daisy becomes more and more a desire of his greedy heart. Gatsby's "love" is not focused on what he can give to Daisy, but on how he can make her one of his possessions. As the novel progresses, Gatsby seems to realize that his idea and pursuit of Daisy is more rewarding than the actual attainment of her. Just as reading a good book is better than watching the movie version of it, it is more interesting and exciting for Gatsby to use his imagination in fantasizing his life with Daisy. He recognizes that he has created an ideal for Daisy
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Approximate Word count = 914
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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