Comparing The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And The Egg
How real is the American dream? The American dream is currently an idea that we discussed in numerous pieces of literature we have read as juniors this year. The literal definition that the American dream is the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative is no longer true for everyone and slowly fading before our eyes. Specifically, through novels like The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the short story “The Egg” by Sherwood Anderson, the downfall of certain characters illuminate the negative aspects of the American dream. Perceivably, anyone can achieve the “American dream”, but societal constrictions
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Seemingly, Gatsby has every monetary valued part of the American dream as he is one of the wealthiest men in West Egg and lives a fairly lavish lifestyle. Nick Carraway describes Gatsby’s house saying, “the one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden” illustrating Gatsby’s wealth (Fitzgerald 5). As Nick recounts, Jay Gatsby although one of the most economically prosperous men in the town, lives unhappily because of his misinterpretation of the American dream. Initially, Jay believes that he could buy Daisy’s love, but his pursuit of wealth ultimately leads to his demise as he becomes solely focussed on money. Comparably, I fathom that the American dream of happiness has simply disintegrated into the mere, shallow pursuit of wealth for some. Furthermore, in conclusion of the book, Nick reflects about Gatsby, saying, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us” relating the past to the dreams of the future (180). Nick reveals the downfall of many through Gatsby, as he is someone who struggles to achieve his goals by trying to recreate his past romance with Daisy numerous years before. Through disclosing Gatsby’s internal struggle, Nick further manifests the breaking down of the American dream. While I cannot fully predict or understand what my future holds, through recognizing Gatsby’s struggle, I have been able to prioritize and realize that money is solely materialistic, and is not a crucial part of fulfilling the American
Seemingly, Gatsby has every monetary valued part of the American dream as he is one of the wealthiest men in West Egg and lives a fairly lavish lifestyle. Nick Carraway describes Gatsby’s house saying, “the one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden” illustrating Gatsby’s wealth (Fitzgerald 5). As Nick recounts, Jay Gatsby although one of the most economically prosperous men in the town, lives unhappily because of his misinterpretation of the American dream. Initially, Jay believes that he could buy Daisy’s love, but his pursuit of wealth ultimately leads to his demise as he becomes solely focussed on money. Comparably, I fathom that the American dream of happiness has simply disintegrated into the mere, shallow pursuit of wealth for some. Furthermore, in conclusion of the book, Nick reflects about Gatsby, saying, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us” relating the past to the dreams of the future (180). Nick reveals the downfall of many through Gatsby, as he is someone who struggles to achieve his goals by trying to recreate his past romance with Daisy numerous years before. Through disclosing Gatsby’s internal struggle, Nick further manifests the breaking down of the American dream. While I cannot fully predict or understand what my future holds, through recognizing Gatsby’s struggle, I have been able to prioritize and realize that money is solely materialistic, and is not a crucial part of fulfilling the American