Analysis of Gatsby’s Failure at the American Dream Essay Example
The Roaring Twenties brought in an epoch of extravagance and luxury.
Besides material goods, people started pursuing the American dream of a stable life with a family. The main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby, is also fascinated to enter into the rat race of achieving the perfect "American Dream". He wants daisy back and for that he tries to lure her with his wealth.
But Just like the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Gatsbys American Dream crashes. By depicting the failure of Gatsbys dream, Fitzgerald proves that the American dream is an illusion.
This dream of finding fortune, love and happiness is idealistic even when one resorts to unethical ways to obtain it. Like others, Gatsby fails to realize this fact.
There are many instances where we se
...e him trying to fulfill his American dream through corrupt ways and later we ultimately see his failure. Even though Gatsby is materialistic successful in his life, it is only due to unethical ways. Upon seeing Dan Codys yacht he starts having an eagerness to gain money. To accomplish this dream he gets involved in corrupt processes such as bootlegging and numerous illegal ctivities which he tries to cover up by lying.
While having a conversation with Daisy, she asked Gatsby, "l thought you inherited your money. " "I did, old sport," he said automatically, "but I lost most of it in the big panic”the panic of the war. "(90) This shows his dishonesty. Even though he doesn't inherit money, he keeps on lying.
He covers the origin of his wealth by mentioning that he owns a chain of Drugstores. However, Tom
was able to find the truth and we realize Gatsbys corruptness when Tom informs "He and this Wolfsheim brought up a lot of side street drug stores here nd in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter.
That's one of little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger for the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong. " (133) Not only he used unethical means to acquire wealth, he also tries to corrupt Daisy's mind by forcing her to forget Tom and tell him that he never loved him. To some extent he is successful but then Daisy later admits that, "Oh, you want too much! " she cried to Gatsby.
"l love you now”isn't that enough? I cant help what's past. " She began to sob helplessly. "l did love him oncebut I loved you too. " Gatsbys eyes opened and closed. (132)
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