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Post by joshualiu on Jan 30, 2016 17:33:57 GMT
There is a dichotomy between the wealthy and the poor, and some might say that a huge part of the American Dream is to become successful and rich. However, some of those that have achieved that "American Dream" may still feel like something's missing. Though many people may appear happy with their fortunes, in actuality, their real dreams have not yet been reached. A paragon of this idea is seen in the whole purpose behind Jay Gatsby's life in West Egg. Gatsby has become wealthy, able to buy almost anything with his money. But, despite living in the American Dream with all his possessions and his mansion with servants, Gatsby's incorruptible dream is impossible for him to grasp. Although he finds love temporarily, it quickly becomes lost, as Daisy and Tom were careless people, smashing up things and people and even the true love she had with Gatsby. The American Dream seems like the ideal life, but many obtain it, only to realize that they will never be truly content with all that they have, always longing for something more.
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Post by Ms. McGettigan on Jan 30, 2016 20:19:56 GMT
Great point Josh, and I think one Fitzgerald would agree with. Tom and Daisy, from the outside, have achieved the American Dream. But are they happy? fulfilled? living a meaningful life? We all may think different things about the saying, "money doesn't buy happiness," but what would Fitzgerald say about it?
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sko
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Post by sko on Feb 2, 2016 1:01:14 GMT
I agree with the points that Josh made. You can kind of see that both Tom and Daisy are not satisfied with their seemingly "American Dream" life. Tom has an affair with Myrtle, and Daisy goes off with Gatsby. Daisy also doesn't pay much attention to her child. I believe that these events help to enforce Fitzgerald's idea that the ideal American life -- filled with money and proper appearances -- does not mean you will be happy.
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Post by morganmassino on Feb 2, 2016 1:37:59 GMT
I think that Fitzgerald was pointing out how hard it is for anyone to attain happiness. As Steph mentioned, even if a person may seem very well-off, that does not necessarily mean that he is happy and content with his life; not only are the poor people unhappy (George and Myrtle), but the wealthy (Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby) are unhappy as well. It is obvious that money and materialistic things keep Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby from enjoying the things that matter most in life. As Josh mentioned, they are always looking for more as they try to both increase their wealth and status and attain what they believe to be happiness (which, for them, is unattainable). For example, Gatsby throws lavish parties to try to get Daisy's attention and fulfill his dreams, but his attempts are pointless in the end as Daisy decides to stay with Tom. George and Myrtle Wilson, just like any other lower class citizens, dream of becoming wealthy and attaining the American Dream and the so-called happiness that comes with it.
Do you think Myrtle recognized the unattainability of true happiness in society during her time with Tom or was she too blinded by Tom's wealth and status to realize or care?
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amyyu
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Post by amyyu on Feb 3, 2016 3:23:14 GMT
To answer your question, Morgan, I think that Myrtle was far too blinded by Tom's wealth and status to even consider the possibility that happiness may not necessarily lie within the riches of life. Since Myrtle was poor and married to a man of no importance in society, she thought that her unhappiness was derived from her and her husband's lack of money. Because of this, like any typical lower-class citizen would, she looked at the wealthy people with envy and assumed that their outward but false signs of happiness were a result of the lavish lives which they lived. Clearly, Myrtle's assumptions were wrong, explaining why she died without ever having achieved happiness in her life.
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Post by joshualiu on Feb 5, 2016 20:43:28 GMT
I agree with Amy. Those that have already reached the American Dream seem to be in this perpetual fake happiness. Even though Myrtle herself never achieves that dream, she still feels the effects of it vicariously through Tom's influence in her life. He shows her what it's like to be rich and have that false sense of delight. However, the joy she feels, real or not, with Tom still seems better than her lower class life with George. But no matter what, in both her poor and rich lives, Myrtle ultimately feels no true contentedness with life, tricking herself into believing she's happy. That just shows how negative the effects of the American dream can be, even on others.
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Post by harleen5 on Feb 8, 2016 1:10:14 GMT
I agree with Josh. Those that have money seem like they have everything, but in reality, are hollow on the inside. People like Gatsby think that wealth will solve their problems, but they soon realize that it doesn't. When he finally realizes his dream of obtaining Daisy is dead, he is lost. What Gatsby does not realize is that Daisy represents wealth, not happiness, so his dream was essentially dead. I think that Fitzgerald did a great job of showing that Tom and Daisy, despite having seemingly everything. Tom uses racism and bullies others because he is fearful of losing his fortune. Daisy, on the other hand, is simply a symbol of empty wealth, which is something that Gatsby does not see.
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Post by stepheneubanks on Feb 9, 2016 2:45:07 GMT
I agree with you Josh, that many people don't ever fully achieve the American Dream, or at least what they believe is the American Dream. Even though Gatsby had all of his money, his main goal was always to gain back Daisy. In this case he never actually did achieve his goal, his own goal that happened to be the love for another rather than wealth, wealth is always nice to have, but for some people it isn't their main accomplishment.
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