In The Great Gatsby, dreams play a central role, symbolizing the aspirations and desires of the characters, particularly Jay Gatsby. The novel explores the pursuit of these dreams and the obstacles that prevent their realization. Gatsby's dream of rekindling his romance with Daisy Buchanan is a metaphor for the larger American Dream, which promises success and happiness through hard work but often proves elusive and hollow.

Gatsby's life is a testament to the power and futility of dreams. He amasses great wealth and throws extravagant parties, all in the hope of winning back Daisy. Despite his riches, Gatsby remains an outsider, never accepted by the East Egg elite. This social barrier is part of the "foul dust" that hinders his dreams. Gatsby's dream is further complicated by his idealized vision of Daisy, which cannot withstand the reality of her life and choices. As Nick Carraway observes, Gatsby possesses "an extraordinary gift for hope," yet this hope is ultimately misplaced.

The novel also highlights the paradoxical nature of dreams through the characters of Nick and Gatsby. Both men are dreamers, yet they are also caught in a web of lies and truths. Nick, who seeks love and success in New York, admires Gatsby's grand dreams but is aware of their unattainability. Gatsby, on the other hand, clings to the illusion that he can recreate the past with Daisy, despite knowing deep down that it is impossible. This tension between dreams and reality underscores the novel's critique of the American Dream.

Fitzgerald uses the motif of dreams to critique the American Dream itself. The novel suggests that the dream of achieving happiness and success is inherently flawed, as it often leads to moral decay and disillusionment. Gatsby's tragic end, dying alone and unfulfilled, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind ambition and the pursuit of unattainable ideals. The final image of the novel, "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past," encapsulates the relentless and often futile pursuit of dreams.