From Conflict to Identity: Main Issues Explored in US Literary Education - Sykalo Eugen 2023

How does the character of Jay Gatsby embody the illusions of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”?

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, "The Great Gatsby," the enigmatic character of Jay Gatsby stands as a striking embodiment of the illusions of the American Dream. Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, pursues wealth and social status with an unwavering determination, believing that these external trappings will enable him to attain the love and acceptance he desires.

At first glance, Gatsby's lavish parties and extravagant lifestyle appear to epitomize the fulfillment of the American Dream. He transforms himself from a poor young man named James Gatz into the persona of Jay Gatsby, a figure of wealth, luxury, and influence. His opulent mansion, adorned with fine furnishings and attended by a multitude of guests, serves as a symbol of his material success. Gatsby's ability to acquire wealth and surround himself with the trappings of affluence seems to confirm the notion that anyone can achieve their dreams through hard work and determination.

However, beneath the surface of Gatsby's carefully constructed façade lies a poignant tale of delusion and longing. Gatsby's relentless pursuit of wealth and status is fueled not only by a desire for success but also by his passionate love for Daisy Buchanan, a woman he met and fell in love with before he attained his fortune. Gatsby believes that if he can recreate the past, win Daisy back, and marry her, he will achieve ultimate fulfillment and prove that he has truly achieved the American Dream.

Gatsby's infatuation with Daisy becomes the driving force behind his accumulation of wealth and his grandiose parties. He seeks to impress her and, in doing so, win her heart. However, Gatsby's idealized vision of Daisy is based on a romanticized memory of their brief encounter years ago. He fails to recognize that Daisy has changed and that their love affair exists primarily in his imagination. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy becomes an obsession, a desperate attempt to grasp the intangible and reclaim a past that can never be fully recaptured.

Gatsby's illusions are further perpetuated by the shallow and superficial society in which he resides. The world of East Egg and West Egg, with its extravagant parties, social hierarchies, and endless pursuit of pleasure, represents the emptiness and hollowness that underlie the American Dream. Gatsby's wealth and status may grant him access to this world, but it ultimately leaves him isolated and unfulfilled.

Fitzgerald skillfully employs symbolism to underscore Gatsby's illusionary existence. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock, which Gatsby gazes at longingly, represents his unreachable dreams and the elusive nature of the American Dream itself. The green light symbolizes both hope and the unattainable, serving as a constant reminder of Gatsby's pursuit of an ideal that remains forever out of reach.

Gatsby's tragic demise serves as a stark commentary on the illusions and flaws of the American Dream. Despite his immense wealth and his relentless pursuit of happiness, Gatsby ultimately finds himself disillusioned and alone. The American Dream, as portrayed through Gatsby's story, is revealed to be an empty promise, a mirage that lures individuals into a cycle of relentless striving and unfulfilled desires.

In Gatsby's character, we see the embodiment of the dark underbelly of the American Dream—an individual consumed by the pursuit of material wealth and social status, blinded by his illusions and trapped in a world of superficiality and illusion. His story serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder that the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to self-destruction and a loss of true meaning and fulfillment.

"The Great Gatsby" not only explores the illusions of the American Dream through Gatsby's character but also critiques the society that perpetuates these illusions. The novel exposes the emptiness and moral decay that lie beneath the surface of the glamorous parties and the opulence of the Jazz Age. Through Gatsby's tragic fate, Fitzgerald invites readers to question the values and aspirations of the society in which they live and to reconsider the true nature of success and happiness.

Jay Gatsby stands as a complex and captivating character who personifies the illusions of the American Dream. His relentless pursuit of wealth, his obsession with Daisy Buchanan, and his ultimate downfall serve as a stark reminder of the pitfalls and delusions that can accompany the quest for success and happiness. Fitzgerald's masterful portrayal of Gatsby's character resonates with readers, challenging them to reflect on their own dreams, aspirations, and the cost of pursuing an illusory ideal.