Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitsgerald, is about the American Dream,and the downfall of those who attempt to reach its imaginative goals. Theattempt to capture the American Dream is common in many novels. This dream isdifferent for fidderent people, but in The Great Gatsby, for Jay, the dream isthat through wealth and power, one can acquire happiness. To get this happinessJay must reach into the past and relive an old dream and in order to do this hemust have wealth and power. Jay Gatsby, the main character of the story , is acharacter who longs for the past.
Suprisingly he devotes most of his adult lifetrying to recapture it and, finally, dies in its pursuit. In the past, Jay had alove affair with the extravagant Daisy. Knowing he could not marry her becauseof the difference in their social status, he leaves her to obtain wealth toreach her high standards. Once he acquires this wealth, he moves near to Daisy,”Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay,”and throws extravagant parties, happen,he asks around casually if anyone knowsher. Soon he meet Nick Carraway, a cousin of Daisy, who agrees to set up ameeting, “He wants to know. .
. if you’ll invite Daisy, who agrees to set upa meeting, “He wants to know. . .
if you’ll invite Daisy to your house someafternoon and then let him come over. ” Gatsby’s personal dream symbolizesthe larger American Dream where all have the opportunity to get what they want. Later, as we see in the Plaza Hotel, Jay still believes that Daisy loves him. Heis convinced of this as is shown when he takes the blame for Myrtle’s death. “Was Daisy driving?” “Yes. .
. but of course I’ll say I was. “He also watches and protects Daisy as she returns home. “How long are yougoing to wait?” “All night if necessary. “Jay cannot accept thatthe past is gone and done with. Jay is sure that he can capture his dream withwealth and influence.
He believes that he acted for a good beyond his personalinterest and that should guarantee success. Nick attempts to show Jay the follyof his dream, but Jay innocently replies to Nick’s assertion that the pastcannot be relived by saying “Yes you can, old sport. ” This shows theconfidence that Jay has in fulfilling his American Dream. For Jay, his AmericanDream is not material possessions, although it may seem that way. He only comesinto riches so that he can fulfill his true American Dream, Daisy. Gatsbydoesn’t rest until his American Dream is finally fulfilled.
However, it nevercomes about and he ends up paying the ultimate pirce for it. The idea of theAmerican Dream still holds true in today’s time , be it wealth, love, or fame. But one thing never changes about the American Dream; everyone desires somethingin life, and everyone, somehow, strives to get it. Gatsby is a prime example ofpursuing the American Dream.
