The American Dream, and All Its Splendor (Great Gatsby)

The 1920s were a decade of rebirth characterised by the founding of the American Dream -- the belief that anyone can, and should, achieve material success. The defining writer of the 1920s was F. Scott Fitzgerald whose most famous novel, The Great Gatsby, has become required reading for present-day high school students. We study Fitzgeralds novel for the same reason we study Shakespeare. The literature composed by both authors contains themes and morals that continue to be relevant to modern society. As a result, this novel could have easily been written in modern times. In his novel, Fitzgerald criticises the American Dream by describing its negative characteristics: class struggles between the rich and the poor, the†¦show more content†¦His failure to obtain her is Fitzgeralds ultimate criticism of the unrealistic dream of happiness found in material wealth. A novel is considered to be good literature not because of the visual impact it makes, but because of the impact of its themes. The American Dream critiqued in The Great Gatsby still prevails today as the basis for a successful nation. Thus, while the 1920s background makes the novel more interesting and certainly more relevant to Fitzgeralds audience, it is true that the story could take place at any given moment in time. By revealing the results of materialism, such as class struggles, the shallowness of the wealthy, and the false notion that money brings happiness, Fitzgerald shows that the American Dream of success and money is nothing more than a morally corrupt fantasy. Works Cited Fahey, William A. F. Scott Fitzgerald and The American Dream. Toronto: Fitzhenry Whiteside Limited, 1973. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli. Toronto: Simon Schuster Inc, 1995. Internet 1. http://www.uni-ulm.de/schulen/gym/sgu/gatsb/klaus2.htm. F. Scott Fitzgerald Centenary Home Page. The Great Gatsbys Theme. Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina, 1997. Internet 2. http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby2.html. Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Great Gatsby: Chapters 5 - 9. Infonautics Corporation, 1998. Internet 3.Show MoreRelated The American Dream, And All Its Splendor (Great Gatsby) Essay example809 Words   |  4 Pages The 1920s were a decade of rebirth characterised by the founding of the quot;American Dreamquot; -- the belief that anyone can, and should, achieve material success. The defining writer of the 1920s was F. Scott Fitzgerald whose most famous novel, The Great Gatsby, has become required reading for present-day high school students. We study Fitzgeralds novel for the same reason we study Shakespeare. The literature composed by both authors contains themes and morals that continue to be relevantRead More Jay Gatsby as Tragic Hero of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay974 Words   |  4 PagesJay Gatsby as Tragic Hero of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby According to Aristotle, there are a number of characteristics that identify a tragic hero: he must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. These are all characteristics of Jay Gatsby, the main character of Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby.   Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero according to Aristotles definition.  Ã‚   Jay Gatsby is an enormouslyRead More Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby and the Tragic Hero Essay977 Words   |  4 PagesFitzgeralds The Great Gatsby and the Tragic Hero      Ã‚  Ã‚   Aristotle invented a list of criteria in an attempt to determine the exact definition of a tragic hero.   The list states the following - the tragic hero must cause his own down fall; the tragic heros fate is undeserved; the tragic heros punishment exceeds his crime; the tragic hero must be a great and noble person according to the standards of the current society.   In Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby can be defined as a tragicRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald778 Words   |  4 PagesMidterm Essay In The Great Gatsby, Scott Fitzgerald depicts The American Dream as a positive meanwhile it gives hope those that want to follow it. The American Dream is something all Americans or incoming immigrants want to have. The Dream includes freedom, opportunities, and responsibility. The dream in its infancy starts when Gatsby relocated himself to West Egg, the dream changes for Gatsby changes when lives across the bay from Daisy, and result of the dream ends when Gatsby dies. Ultimately, JayRead More Green Light in The Great Gatsby Essay1039 Words   |  5 PagesThe Green Light in The Great Gatsby       The image of the green light in the novel Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a significant symbol which reflects Gatsbys dream and other aspects beyond Gatsbys longing.   Throughout the novel Fitzgerald uses many other images or symbols.   At first, it may seem very basic, but when the symbol is closely studied, one may see the deeper meaning found within it. Fitzgerald uses these symbols to make a point across to the readerRead MoreThe Grand Illusion in The Great Gatsby Essay811 Words   |  4 PagesThe American dream is a farce. Hopeful American children and quixotic foreigners believe that freedom will lead to prosperity, and that prosperity will bring happiness. This anticipation of joy will never come to fruition, and all these unfortunate people will feel that they were cheated out of happiness by some unlucky roll of dice, but really they have been chasing cars, because the American dream is not something one can truly capture, but only smoke trapped in the palm of a hand. In The GreatRead More Gatsbys Dream and Daisys Conflicts in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1163 Words   |  5 PagesGatsbys Dream and Daisys Conflicts in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Jay Gatsby, the central character of F. Scott Fitzgerald?s The Great Gatsby symbolizes the American dream. The American dream offers faith in the possibility of a better life. Its attendant illusion is the belief that material wealth alone can bring that dream to fruition. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald brings together both these ideas. Jay Gatsby thinks money is the answer to anything he encounters. He has theRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1249 Words   |  5 Pagesof the many events that occurred at the time. Nearly all the people enjoyed their fortunes and fed their hunger for materialistic items by constantly buying new things that they did not need. This strange desire for material items had become the American Dream; this is what people wanted. In the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald writes about various characters who spend their entire life trying to achieve their money-based American Dream. Despite their vast efforts, they never reach it. FitzgeraldRead More1.10 the Great Gatsby Essay864 Words   |  4 PagesPart I: Character Behavior Consequences Jay Gatsby Self absorbed He’s let down when all of his action don’t give him the results he wants. Daisy Buchanan Careless, selfish She gets the attention she seeks and the guilt becomes too much; especially when the tables turn and she finds out Tom is cheating. Tom Buchanan Firm, barbaric He loses his mistress and his wife begins to have an affair. Jordan Baker Self-centered , dishonest Nick leaves her forever. Myrtle Wilson Read MoreThe Great Gatsby942 Words   |  4 PagesJay Gatsby |   idealistic and unrealistic | Gatsbys love obsession with Daisy drives him to great ends in which to earn her requited love. | Daisy Buchanan |   Self-centered, immoral |   Perhaps Daisy did not have any consequences because she never had any real attachment to anything in her life, only instant gratification and material pursuits to ease her boredom with life. | Tom Buchanan |   hypocritical, and arrogant |   Tom does not suffer any real consequences | Jordan Baker    |   her