Similarities Between George Wilson And The Great Gatsby

Once, the American Dream was a strong possibility and something that all Americans strived for; now it seems to be a lost dream that is only discussed when studying literature. The character of James Gatz, alternatively known as Jay Gatsby, is a prime example of the American Dream and could be considered an exact definition of what the American Dream represents. He starts out with his innocent dream of wanting to be worthy enough of Daisy’s love; but in doing so becomes involved in some illegal activities in order to achieve what Daisy requires of someone she loves, wealth. Gatsby goes from a young military officer, who is extremely poor and has essentially no money and works his way up to become an extremely rich man, living in a mansion and able to throw the most extravagant of parties. Gatsby achieves his fortunes, but not without losing all
George Wilson is honest and hard working, trying to achieve the American dream through owning his own business. Though Wilson and Gatsby have similar backgrounds, they have dramatically different resulting careers and lifestyles. Gatsby is extremely wealthy while achieving wealth through dishonest and illegal methods, while Wilson runs his own business, attempting, to be honest, yet struggling to have his business continue to run, proved by Wilson saying, “When are you going to sell me that car?”( Fitzgerald 29). He is trying alternative ways of earning more money because his shop is most likely struggling to stay above water while living in a town so devoid of money. Wilson is repeatedly shown throughout the chapter to be considered much less than Tom, simply by living in the valley of ashes; as the valley could foreshadow the Great Depression, showing that Wilson is already experiencing the struggles yet to come to the rest of the