Gatsby’s Unrealistic American Dream in The Great Gatsby,...

The term â€Å"American Dream† is defined as an idea which believes that all people have the possibility of prosperity and success. The idea first came from James Adams, a noted American writer and historian. He claimed, â€Å"Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.† Therefore, the core concepts of the American Dream were closely linked to hard work and opportunity. However, this idea began to lose its value when people started to use unethical methods to become wealthy. The 19th century’s excessive industrialization lured innumerable numbers of immigrants to come to America with their lofty hopes. As they dreamt high, it could not live up to their expectations†¦show more content†¦Even though Gatsby was born James Gatz on a small farm in North Dakota, he was motivated by Dan Cody and Daisy to dedicate his life to the achievement of wealth and love. Some people might claim that Gatsby was able to achieve his dream because he succeeded in becoming a fabulously wealthy man in West Egg. However, this is only partially true, for Gatsby’s genuine American Dream was to attain Daisy Buchanan. Therefore, this novel portrays both the power and deleterious result of the American Dream (C. J. Dawson). The novel also suggests that the American Dream can be a cruel and foolish notion. To begin with, Nick concludes, quotation emphasizes that Gatsby’s dream is too high and unrealistic. He has idealized Daisy so much that she cannot live up to his expectations. Therefore, his somewhat unattainable dream represents the harsh reality of the American Dream. Scott Fitzgerald gives another example that portrays the true facet of this concept. At the end of the novel, Nick Carraway reveals, â€Å"I have an idea that Gatsby himself didn’t believe it would come, and perhaps he no longer cared. If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream† (p. 161). This insight effectively marks the end of Gatsby’s American Dream. The narrator carefully suggests that Gatsby mightShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream, and All Its Splendor (Great Gatsby)854 Words   |  4 PagesThe 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. 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