The Great Gatsby and The American Dream

Essay by RedneckboyHigh School, 11th gradeA, June 2005

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The long sought, after "American Dream" may have only been a dream for Gatsby. He simply wanted too much of what really isn't there. A minor changing of the past is what really led to the demise of his dream. Daisy was under much stress, and her ability to think clearly was clouded. Instead of letting things work out with Daisy and Tom, Gatsby decided to intervene, ultimately crushing his hopes of ever being with Daisy.

Due to Americans being very materialistic, the American dream can never be attained. Say a person bought his dream house, and had his dream car, eventually, that person will want a newer, bigger, better house. It's a big circle. It is called "American" dream because in other, poorer countries are grateful with what they receive, not always wanting to upgrade their ideals. Having this "dream" is extremely important though. Without having one, it doesn't give anyone hope of ever aspiring to work harder for it.

This dream is part of the reason why America is the way it is.

Gatsby failed at attaining his goals because he simply wanted too much. He pushes Daisy to the extreme limits of her emotions, eventually driving her overboard. His main idea of having Daisy was not too much, but the lengths he went through were too much. Gatsby, letting Daisy driving the car was the biggest mistake he made. If anything, it brought Tom and Daisy together closer to stick with the same stories on Myrtle's death. Throwing elaborate parties, changing history, forcing an illusion to come together, will not work unless the pieces fall together naturally.

"Can't change the past? Of course you can, old sport," stated by Gatsby, shows that he truly believes the past is not set in stone. He tries to...