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Post by amber soppick on Feb 6, 2016 18:40:40 GMT
The entire concept of 'The American Dream' was originally that everyone would be full of hope and equal. It was all about individuality, discovery, and happiness. However, all of these seem to be the exact things the characters of The Great Gatsby are lacking. The characters in the Great Gatsby are living a facade of what seems to be the picturesque American Dream, but is actually a mockery of it. Yes, Daisy and Tom are rich and live in a large house, but neither are happy and both are completely consumed by their own careless wealth. None of the elite wealthy people of New York are true individuals, whether they be new or old money. The people who stand out more actually seem to be the poor, lower classes who have to work, such as Myrtle. Gatsby seems to be the one exception, in that his entire life is full of hope, waiting and wishing for Daisy, but this ultimately leads to his downfall. None of the characters in the novel actually have any of the true qualities of the original American Dream, they are just acting out what they each think it is and trying to pretend that they have it. For Daisy, this is being ditzy and careless and superficial. For Tom, this is being superior over everyone else and arrogant, a complete hypocrite who is free to do whatever he likes. For Jordan, this is being apathetic and independent. Gatsby is trying the hardest to fit into the role and also failing the hardest, missing all social cues and dressing gaudily and acting awkwardly, trying to prove he belongs with his massive parties and fancy car and suits. Nick is the only one who doesn't seem to be chasing this concept of the American Dream. What the characters don't realize is that by faking like this, they have ruined the actual Dream and made it so unattainable and corrupted. No one can truly obtain the American Dream, they can only either spend their lives chasing it or faking it.
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Post by jordanhilker on Feb 7, 2016 5:43:59 GMT
The entire concept of 'The American Dream' was originally that everyone would be full of hope and equal. It was all about individuality, discovery, and happiness. However, all of these seem to be the exact things the characters of The Great Gatsby are lacking. The characters in the Great Gatsby are living a facade of what seems to be the picturesque American Dream, but is actually a mockery of it. I 100% agree with this statement. The mockery that F. Scott Fitzgerald writes about truly shows how he feels about the american dream. Not only do most of the characters try to achieve the american dream, but the all the ones who try ultimately fail in the end. For example, Myrtle and Gatsby's death. This can make the reader assume the Fitzgerald does not believe that the american dream can be achieved. He leads the reader on for most of the book by making it seem like Gatsby may actually achieve the american dream, however Gatsby's death at the end of the book shows to the reader that it cannot be achieved. |
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ruchi
New Member
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Post by ruchi on Feb 7, 2016 22:59:58 GMT
I totally agree with what you both said. I think that something interesting is that Gatsby did not really have a fault as far as the terms of the American Dream- he worked hard, and rose from the poor to the wealthy class in a fairly acceptable (though slightly illegal) way. I think that he almost follows the path of a tragic hero, actually. He is essentially good in character, and in a highly prestigious position in society. However, his flaw is that he lives in the past, and can only learn to move on with his demise.
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Post by amber soppick on Feb 8, 2016 0:56:59 GMT
Jordan, I really agree with you about what you said with how Gatsby's death represents how the American Dream is unattainable. I didn't think about how he kind of baits the reader the entire book with Gatsby's journey but that is definitely a good point and very accurate. I think that shows more of how unreliable the entire book is, not just Nick's perspective, but also just the plot, as nothing ever happens how it is supposed to. I think Fitzgerald definitely did this for a purpose, to show how unpredictable life was and is and how the American Dream never turns out as planned.
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Post by danvolpone on Feb 8, 2016 4:34:49 GMT
If the American Dream is unattainable, then who created this false dream. Was it the middle and lower classes that created the dream to give them hope that they or their children would one day be wealthy and have the things that they currently cannot? Or was it the upper class that created the dream to keep the middle and lower classes thinking that anyone could get rich and that they were on an equal playing field, maintaining their wealth and pacifying those working harder jobs and making less money?
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Post by ghulamcontractor on Feb 8, 2016 5:09:16 GMT
In my eyes, the American Dream is a name for how you want your life to be. Dan, I believe the term American Dream gives hope to people that they will make it big. Even though it is not shown, I think Nick is living the American Dream because he does not have many complaints in his life. He comes to start a life for himself, but he is not really shown to be determined for it. He still attends parties and is shown respect. Perhaps he already has everything he wants/needs and is just trying something new in life to stay happy.
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Post by hopekim on Feb 8, 2016 5:11:07 GMT
If the American Dream is unattainable, then who created this false dream. Was it the middle and lower classes that created the dream to give them hope that they or their children would one day be wealthy and have the things that they currently cannot? Or was it the upper class that created the dream to keep the middle and lower classes thinking that anyone could get rich and that they were on an equal playing field, maintaining their wealth and pacifying those working harder jobs and making less money? I think that if we are basing it off of The Great Gatsby, then since the middle class characters (Myrtle, George, etc.) did not end up achieving their dream, as it is ultimately unattainable as Amber and Ruchi said, then viewing this question from the upper class's point of view who basically all got away unschathed (besides Gatsby), they had the upper hand. Therefore, I think that the upper class would have created this idea of the American Dream to keep the less wealthy classes satisfied and hopeful for something they would never actually be able to obtain. |
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