Themes: The American Dream
The American Dream (in particular, the failure to achieve it) is one of the most important themes in the novel. It’s established early on in the first chapter when a stranger asks Nick for directions, making him “a guide, a pathfinder, an original settler,” like the brave pioneers who traveled West in hopes of building better lives for themselves. Immediately after that, Nick tells us that he read a series of finance books in the hopes of making his fortune. Fitzgerald uses this juxtaposition of bankers and pioneers to suggest that the American Dream of owning land and making a name for one’s self has been subsumed by the desire to become rich and thereby perpetuate a capitalist system.
This desire to be rich and successful is at the core of Gatsby’s dream of reuniting with Daisy. He was willing to do anything to attain this dream, including getting involved with Mr. Wolfsheim’s businesses. In a brutally ironic twist, the bootlegging that makes Gatsby rich enough for Daisy is also one of the main reasons he loses her, because when Tom tells her about it in chapter 7 she hesitates and thinks twice about leaving him for Gatsby. Gatsby’s dream self-destructs because, like the American Dream as a whole, it has been corrupted by money and power to the point where it is no longer real or viable. In that sense, both Gatsby’s dream and the larger American Dream die even before Wilson pulls the trigger. Gatsby’s death merely cements what we already know.
Expert Q&A
What is a good thesis statement about symbolism and motifs relating to the American Dream in The Great Gatsby?
A good thesis statement about symbolism and motifs relating to the American Dream in The Great Gatsby could be: "F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the colors green and yellow as symbols of two aspects of the American Dream: green as the dream of recreating Eden and yellow as the dream of wealth, then critiques both parts of the dream." Alternatively, "Fitzgerald uses symbols and motifs such as The Valley of Ashes and weather to show that America had materialized its original Dream of high ideals such as individualism and happiness."
How does Fitzgerald satirize the Roaring Twenties through Gatsby's parties?
Fitzgerald satirizes the Roaring Twenties through Gatsby's parties by highlighting the era's moral corruption and obsession with material wealth. The parties are filled with superficial, unhappy guests, illustrating the emptiness of the pursuit of riches. Despite the grandeur, Gatsby remains lonely, as shown by the lack of attendees at his funeral. The diverse guests, including vaudeville performers and movie industry figures, further satirize the societal changes and moral decay of the time.
How do the themes of dreams, wealth, and time interrelate in The Great Gatsby's depiction of America?
Themes of dreams, wealth, and time relate to each other in that Gatsby aspires to the American dream of wealth and status and to erase time so that it is almost as if he had them from birth. Time is an elusive concept to Gatsby. He is incredulous when Nick says "you can't repeat the past," replying "Why of course you can!" Nick says that Gatsby "believed in...the orgastic future that year by year recedes."
What are three arguments that support the thesis of the American Dream being unachievable in The Great Gatsby?
Fitzgerald describes the American Dream as unachievable, and chasing after it ends up doing more destruction to oneself, and ultimately, everyone comes up short in the end.
Fitzgerald argues that the American Dream is unachievable in The Great Gatsby by depicting it as illusionary, unattainable, and destructive. First, Gatsby creates an idealized version of Daisy, symbolized by the green light, which reality cannot match. Second, the dream is unattainable, as shown by Daisy's insincerity and betrayal. Lastly, Gatsby's destruction and loneliness highlight the dream's ultimate destructiveness, as he dies alone, abandoned by those he pursued.
Why are we still reading books from the 1920s? What gives a book longevity and what themes are eternal in the American psyche?
We continue to read books from the 1920s because they offer timeless insights into human nature and society. Works like The Great Gatsby capture the Jazz Age's exuberance and the enduring theme of the American Dream. These books provide historical context, explore universal themes such as materialism and the pursuit of happiness, and offer lyrical prose that resonates across generations. Their ability to reflect on societal issues and personal introspection ensures their longevity.
What theme does this quote from The Great Gatsby reveal, and how does it contribute to character and plot development?
"I know. I've been everywhere and seen everything and done everything... Sophisticated - God I'm sophisticated!" - Daisy
The quote reveals themes of disillusionment and the emptiness of wealth. Daisy’s claim of sophistication underscores her awareness of her shallow life and the futility of her social status. It highlights her sadness and the cultural clash between her and Gatsby, emphasizing her entrapment in a privileged yet meaningless existence. This recognition contributes to her character development as someone who is aware yet too weak to change her circumstances, impacting the plot's exploration of societal constraints.
In The Great Gatsby, why does the sentence from the last chapter end unfinished, and what does Nick believe will happen on "one fine morning"?
"It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning——"
The unfinished sentence in the last chapter symbolizes the elusive nature of the American Dream, suggesting it is always just out of reach. Nick believes that "one fine morning" represents the hope of achieving the dream, despite its unattainability. The ellipsis and dash convey the perpetual pursuit of dreams that remain forever elusive, echoing the novel's theme of the illusory American Dream and the human need to believe in something greater.
Exploring the theme "money can't buy happiness" in The Great Gatsby
The theme "money can't buy happiness" in The Great Gatsby is illustrated through characters like Jay Gatsby, who, despite his immense wealth, remains unfulfilled and obsessed with a past relationship. Daisy Buchanan also exemplifies this theme, as her luxurious lifestyle fails to bring her true happiness or satisfaction. Ultimately, the novel portrays the emptiness and disillusionment that can accompany the pursuit of wealth.
How does The Great Gatsby challenge the established values of its time?
Which passages in The Great Gatsby indicate Tom's and Daisy's view of the American Dream?
Tom and Daisy Buchanan's view of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby is characterized by carelessness and a reliance on wealth to evade responsibility. Nick Carraway observes their destructive behavior, noting they retreat into their wealth, allowing others to deal with the consequences. For Tom, this means exploiting Myrtle for his pleasure, while Daisy avoids accountability for Myrtle's death and ultimately chooses Tom's financial security over Gatsby's love, reflecting a pursuit of power and frivolity.
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