Reading The American Dream

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

  • The American dream is an ideal of rising from rags to riches, encompassing love, status, and wealth.

  • Historically centered on freedom and self-reliance, it has shifted towards materialism.

  • In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby epitomizes the self-made man blinded by wealth, failing to recognize that money does not equate to love or happiness.

Jay Gatsby's Dream

  • Gatsby's aspirations are rooted in material wealth and romantic idealism, particularly surrounding Daisy Buchanan.

  • He has misled himself into thinking that acquiring wealth will win Daisy's love.

  • Daisy symbolizes the allure of wealth despite her inherent coldness and self-centered nature.

The Nature of Daisy Buchanan

  • Daisy is portrayed as the 'golden girl', captivating Gatsby with her voice which represents wealth.

  • Her actions reveal a carelessness, especially highlighted by her triggering of Myrtle's death and her lack of remorse.

  • The green light at her dock symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable desires for wealth and Daisy, emphasizing envy and materialism.

Tom and Daisy Buchanan

  • The Buchanans, despite extreme wealth, are unhappy and embody the destruction of the American Dream.

  • Their relationship is characterized by infidelity and moral decay, underscoring the emptiness of their affluent lifestyle.

  • They retreat into their wealth after causing the deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby, showcasing their heartlessness.

Jordan Baker and Social Morality

  • Jordan Baker reflects the disillusionment of wealth, supportively encouraging Daisy's affair with Gatsby.

  • Jordan's dishonesty and self-serving nature reveal the deeper moral failings of East Egg society.

  • Her character emphasizes the superficiality and carelessness prevalent among the wealthy elite.

Gatsby's Isolation and Tragic Fate

  • At Gatsby's funeral, only Nick and his father attend, illustrating the shallow nature of his relationships.

  • Nick, who has a stronger moral compass rooted in Midwestern values, sees the emptiness of the East's materialism.

  • Gatsby's idealism, entwined with corruption, leads to his demise, as wealth does not equate to belonging or happiness.

Critique of Materialism

  • Fitzgerald critiques the illusion of the American Dream as corrupted by materialism, leading to emotional emptiness among the elite.

  • The stark disparity between East Egg (old money) and West Egg (new money) emphasizes social stratification and the unattainable nature of the dream.

  • Ultimately, The Great Gatsby serves as a social commentary on the effects of wealth, as characters remain unfulfilled despite their riches.