pilgrims & puritans

Pilgrims & Puritans: Founders of the American Dream

• Spiritual Origins of the Dream: The Puritans and Pilgrims came to America seeking religious freedom and a chance to build a moral, godly society. Their vision of success was rooted in virtue, hard work, and divine purpose.

• Moral Idealism: They believed in self-discipline, community responsibility, and a higher moral calling—values that shaped early American identity.

gatsby’s world: a corrupted dream

• Materialism vs. Morality: Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status to win Daisy reflects a twisted version of the Puritan ethic—hard work not for spiritual fulfillment, but for superficial gain.

• Loss of Purpose: The novel shows how the original ideals of the American Dream have been hollowed out. Gatsby’s dream is not about building a better life, but about recapturing a romanticized past.

• East vs. West: The movement from the Midwest (often seen as more traditional and morally grounded) to the East (associated with decadence and corruption) mirrors the shift from Puritan values to Jazz Age excess

Symbolic Echoes

• Nick’s Reflections: At the end of the novel, Nick compares Gatsby’s dream to the hopes of the first settlers gazing at the “fresh green breast of the new world.” This line evokes the Pilgrims’ awe and ambition—but also suggests how far America has strayed from those ideals.

• The Green Light: Much like the Puritans’ vision of a promised land, Gatsby’s green light represents hope and possibility. But unlike the Pilgrims’ spiritual quest, Gatsby’s is rooted in illusion and desire.

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