The Great Gatsby

Gatsby represents the world of the ostentatious newly rich; however, he remains a romantic idealist. Right from the beginning, the reader learns of Gatsby's “extraordinary gift for hope and a romantic readiness” that Nick has never before witnessed in another human being. He is a paradox: the innocent bootlegger. Educators and lay readers alike often describe The Great Gatsby as a novel about the American dream—the opportunity for individuals to achieve economic independence and succeed in areas that are most important to them. Does the American dream exist in the 21st century? While opinions may vary as to whether ...