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

How does the concept of the American Dream evolve in “The Great Gatsby”?

F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel, "The Great Gatsby," portrays a fascinating exploration of the concept of the American Dream, tracing its evolution from a shimmering beacon of hope and possibility to a disillusioning mirage. Through vivid characterization, evocative settings, and poignant symbolism, Fitzgerald illuminates the seductive allure and ultimate corruption that permeate the American Dream, exposing the underlying flaws and contradictions that undermine its very essence.

At the heart of "The Great Gatsby" lies the enigmatic figure of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who personifies the pursuit of the American Dream. Gatsby's relentless ambition, his meteoric rise from humble origins to unimaginable wealth, and his extravagant lifestyle embody the aspirational ethos that lies at the core of the American Dream. Gatsby, in his relentless pursuit of material success and social recognition, represents the embodiment of the self-made man, the archetype that the American Dream promises to reward.

However, as the narrative unfolds, Fitzgerald deconstructs the notion of the American Dream, exposing its inherent flaws and the moral decay that accompanies the pursuit of wealth and social status. Gatsby's opulent mansion, lavish parties, and ostentatious displays of wealth serve as symbols of a hollow and superficial existence. Beneath the shimmering facade, Fitzgerald reveals a dark underbelly of corruption, moral bankruptcy, and the empty pursuit of an illusory dream.

Moreover, the characters surrounding Gatsby further exemplify the distorted nature of the American Dream. Tom and Daisy Buchanan, representatives of the old aristocracy, embody the sense of entitlement and privilege that often accompany inherited wealth. Their indifference to the consequences of their actions and their disregard for the lives they affect underscore the emptiness and moral bankruptcy that can come with unearned prosperity.

Fitzgerald employs the symbol of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock to encapsulate the evolving nature of the American Dream. The green light, initially imbued with hope and possibility, represents Gatsby's dreams, his longing for a better life, and his pursuit of love and happiness. Yet, as the narrative progresses, the green light transforms into a haunting reminder of the unattainable, an elusive dream forever out of reach. The green light becomes a symbol of Gatsby's tragic delusion, an emblem of the futility of his relentless pursuit of an ideal that exists only in his imagination.

The juxtaposition of the East and West Egg serves as a microcosm of the contrasting realities within the American Dream. The East Egg, home to the old money elite, represents the entrenched class system and the perpetuation of privilege. The West Egg, on the other hand, symbolizes the realm of the newly wealthy, those who have acquired their wealth through hard work and ambition. While the West Egg initially represents the promise of upward mobility and social advancement, it ultimately reveals the hollowness of material success and the impossibility of truly transcending one's class origins.

Through the character of Nick Carraway, the novel's narrator, Fitzgerald offers a critical perspective on the American Dream. As an outsider looking in, Nick provides a lens through which readers can witness the disintegration of Gatsby's dream and the disillusionment that accompanies the pursuit of wealth and social status. Nick's growing disillusionment reflects the shifting perception of the American Dream, as he comes to recognize the moral emptiness and the corrosive effects of a society consumed by materialism and self-interest.

"The Great Gatsby" ultimately presents a scathing critique of the American Dream, exposing the illusions, inequalities, and moral compromises that underlie its pursuit. Fitzgerald's narrative serves as a cautionary tale, a poignant reminder that the Dream, with its promise of limitless possibilities and boundless potential, can easily devolve into a tragic and unattainable fantasy. Through Gatsby's relentless quest for wealth and love, Fitzgerald unveils the harsh realities of a society obsessed with appearances, where the pursuit of happiness becomes entangled in a web of greed, corruption, and moral decay.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" offers a profound exploration of the evolution of the American Dream, tracing its trajectory from a symbol of hope and ambition to a disillusioning mirage. Through vivid characterization, evocative settings, and symbolic imagery, Fitzgerald exposes the hollowness and moral bankruptcy that can accompany the pursuit of wealth and social status. By deconstructing the Dream, Fitzgerald invites readers to reflect on the illusions and compromises inherent in the quest for the American Dream and question the true nature of happiness and fulfillment.