Post by hannahcherusseril on Feb 6, 2016 19:45:48 GMT
The American Dream in the 1920s throws away the stuffy and hypocritical Victorian values. Post-WWI there is a rise in the idea of individualism, breaking the confining aristocratic structure that has always clouded over American society. This manifests the American Dream: achieving a life of of fortune, fame, and happiness regardless of whether you came from money or not. In pursuit of the American dream many people like those who attended Gatsby's parties experienced a moral decay. The booming economy of the day led to extreme materialism and greed eclipsed the simple desire for a pleasant life. The American dream constituted of outward lavishness but inward emptiness. Who wants a beautifully wrapped present with absolutely nothing inside? That's just a waste.
Fitzgerald addresses this artificial perfect life in the novel. Take Daisy and Tom for example. They are two people who enjoy the excesses of the the New York elite and are supposedly living the American dream. They live in a huge house. Daisy is the picture of charm and Tom gives off an aura of power/strength.
But, they are both horrible people.
Daisy is sickly obsessed with material beauty and has no consideration for those who are below her. She strikes Myrtle Wilson with Gatsby's car and could care less that she has taken a life. Tom is a racist who is subject to unfounded fear. He sneers at the poor and is impulsive in the sense that he is quick to anger. Neither husband nor wife have a conscience. Their marriage itself is merely gilded with perfection. It was a business transaction more so than an affectionate union. By revealing the ugliness of Daisy and Tom's personalities and relationship, Fitzgerald shows that this lifestyle is far from ideal.
Also when Gatsby died, apparently the hundreds of people that attended his parties and spent time at his house were all horribly busy on the exact day of his funeral. When things went downhill for Gatsby, not a single person came to mourn him. Fitzgerald showed that people did not have compassion. With Gatsby, all they cared about was that he was paying for their alcohol. When he could no longer do that (because he was killed!!!), they simply moved on to the next crazy party-thrower. This lack of moral attachment or feeling was evidence that those who pursued the American dream were actually chasing after a fulfillment of the need for instantaneous fun. Fitzgerald points out that these people simply used Gatsby to get the desired high. They had no consideration for their beloved host. His death did not affect them.
In a nutshell, Fitzgerald is trying to say that while the American dream seems appealing, it is a black hole of moral corruption and ignorance.
Fitzgerald addresses this artificial perfect life in the novel. Take Daisy and Tom for example. They are two people who enjoy the excesses of the the New York elite and are supposedly living the American dream. They live in a huge house. Daisy is the picture of charm and Tom gives off an aura of power/strength.
But, they are both horrible people.
Daisy is sickly obsessed with material beauty and has no consideration for those who are below her. She strikes Myrtle Wilson with Gatsby's car and could care less that she has taken a life. Tom is a racist who is subject to unfounded fear. He sneers at the poor and is impulsive in the sense that he is quick to anger. Neither husband nor wife have a conscience. Their marriage itself is merely gilded with perfection. It was a business transaction more so than an affectionate union. By revealing the ugliness of Daisy and Tom's personalities and relationship, Fitzgerald shows that this lifestyle is far from ideal.
Also when Gatsby died, apparently the hundreds of people that attended his parties and spent time at his house were all horribly busy on the exact day of his funeral. When things went downhill for Gatsby, not a single person came to mourn him. Fitzgerald showed that people did not have compassion. With Gatsby, all they cared about was that he was paying for their alcohol. When he could no longer do that (because he was killed!!!), they simply moved on to the next crazy party-thrower. This lack of moral attachment or feeling was evidence that those who pursued the American dream were actually chasing after a fulfillment of the need for instantaneous fun. Fitzgerald points out that these people simply used Gatsby to get the desired high. They had no consideration for their beloved host. His death did not affect them.
In a nutshell, Fitzgerald is trying to say that while the American dream seems appealing, it is a black hole of moral corruption and ignorance.
