"The Great Gatsby" and the American Dream

Essay by xxjb89xxHigh School, 10th gradeA+, March 2007

download word file, 3 pages 1.0

Downloaded 23 times

A chance to better oneself; the American Dream allowed anyone, rich or poor to succeed in life. During the twenties, many poor attempted to better themselves by getting a secure job, starting a family and owning a home and a car with the aim of joining the upper class citizens of America. Many works of literature depict this idea of "poverty to riches" by way of the American Dream. In the novel, "The Great Gatsby", Jay Gatsby, formerly James Gatz, works his way out of poverty and, in many ways, achieves the American Dream. His family began as poor farmers, but Jay was determined to make something of his life so he left his family behind for the prospect of a better life.

When Jay was younger, he and Daisy, a wealthy socialite, fell in love, but he knew that since he was a poor boy and she a rich girl, they had no chance of a future together.

Their parting was less than a fairy tale, he asked her to wait for him to return but when she didn't he never quite got over her. His love for Daisy and desire to have her back is the driving force for him to achieve the American Dream. Gatsby casts his morals aside for the chance to gain wealth and status which he believes will bring Daisy back to him. As Nick States in the beginning of the novel, "Gatsby turned out all right in the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men" (6). Gatsby builds a web of fabrications which evoke an image of a respectable and successful man in his quest...