The large Gatsby: A NoveL

The large Gatsby: A Novel

A NOVEL

"The American Dream" is concept that plays an important role in novel The Great Gatsby, which was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1920's, time period when many Americans were living dream. "The American Dream" embodies best of America. It is chance to gain material wealth and spiritual happiness for people who start out with nothing. People from all different countries used to come to America for chance to turn their hard work into success. "The American Dream" is equal opportunity for achievement and happiness. However, instead of showing us how great dream is, In the novel it shows how society has corrupted it. Through main character, Jay Gatsby, pure vision becomes distorted because "...foul dust floated in wake of his dreams". (6) In many people's cases reality is never same as dream. (Prigozy 2002)

For Jay Gatsby, foul dust that floats in wake of his dreams is society that he wants to be part of. His views of upper-class contrast with reality. This also encompasses his likeness of his love-interest, Daisy Buchanan. He constructed her likeness up in his brain and to him she was certain thing after perfection. Daisy destroys his "American Dream" of being with her and being part of upper-class because she, along with her husband and rest of class, is selfish and irresponsible. Gatsby does not glimpse this. (Prigozy 2002)

He just remembers kiss he had with Daisy five years before and how wonderful it felt. He wants to recreate that feeling even though Nick tells him that he cannot repeat past. Gatsby just states, "Why of course you can". (116) He had spent those years devoting his life to become part of upper-class that he held in such esteem so that Daisy and he would end up ...