The American Dream in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott...

The American Dream is an ethos idealized by millions of people. It is an attitude and mindset that can promote success and prosperity throughout life. When it comes to the American dream, a significant part is the quest for money. As shown in classic American Literature such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the influence of money plays an important role throughout both novels. There are characters in both books that use money as a way of representing what their morals and values are. The decline of the American Dream is evident in both novels considering the negative effects money has on certain characters. The American Dream still lives today in society in which people†¦show more content†¦In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is depicted in an adverse and undesired manner. When Nick Carraway moves to the West Egg district of Long Island he realizes the American Dream has been corrupted (Fitzgerald 10). Fitzgerald describes the 1920s as an era that is fraudulent and corrupt. We see that Gatsby is not someone that truly followed the American Dream to gain prosperity and wealth. Gatsby’s wealth was derived from bootlegging alcohol and other illegal products and this symbolized the 1920s as an era of newfound materialism and unprecedented success (Millett 1). Gatsby’s desire for wealth and power was influenced greatly by his old friend Dan Cody. While working and traveling with Cody on his yacht, Gatsby falls in love with luxury and wealth. Cody leaves Gatsby twenty-five thousand dollars when he dies, but could not claim it because of Cody’s mistress (Fitzg erald 107). After this event Gatsby was determined and focused in becoming a wealthy man down the road. Dan Cody made Gatsby the person he shaped and evolved into. Jay Gatsby utilizes his power and wealth in attempt to get what he always desired for. His love for Daisy was something he thought he could buy his way through by impressing her with extravagant and grandiose parties every week. The green light at the end of the dock symbolizes Gatsby’s love and desire for Daisy. Even though Daisy and Gatsby had a deep and strong connection their love could not last because ofShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby And A Streetcar Named Desire Analysis1041 Words   |  5 PagesThe Past is in the Past From youth, individuals have been told what has happened in the past is behind them and they can move on with their lives. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the past is a key element. First of all, in both text forms Gatsby and Blanche go against their values to get back a part of their life that has been lost. Furthermore, both characters create an image of wealth to mask the tragedies of theirRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald2668 Words   |  11 PagesMost Americans work hard to be better than others, achieve perfection, and hide their imperfections. Americans will do anything to hide their imperfections. This idea is present in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby and in Tennessee William’s play, A Streetcar Named Desire. In The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker and Jay Gatsby appear to be living the wealthy and perfect American lifestyle compared to Ni ck Carraway, a man who was born and raised in the midwest and is rentingRead MoreBrief Survey of American Literature3339 Words   |  14 PagesBrief Survey of American Literature 1. Beginnings to 1700 Great mixing of peoples from the whole Atlantic basin Bloody conflicts between Native Americans (or American Indians) and European explorers and settlers who had both religious and territorial aspirations - Native American oral literature / oral tradition - European explorers’ letters, diaries, reports, etc., such as Christopher Columbus’s letters about his voyage to the â€Å"New world†. - Anglo (New England) settlers’ books, sermons