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Post by jordanhilker on Feb 7, 2016 2:42:40 GMT
In "The Great Gatsby" by F Scott Fitzgerald the "American Dream" seems to be reached by the character Jay Gatsby through most of the novel. He is rich, has many friends, and seems to finally be winning the girl of his dreams. It is not until the end of the novel when the reader truly understands that Jay Gatsby has not fulfilled the American Dream. After his death, all of his "friends" that attended all of his parties did not come to his funeral. The only people who did were his dad and Nick. The girl who he loved, Daisy, stayed with her husband and moved away, so no one could reach them. Overall, Fitzgerald is saying that the American Dream cannot be reached. It is mostly seen by the character Jay Gatsby. Because of the results at the end of the novel, I believe that Fitzgerald thinks that the American Dream isn't reached.
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annej
New Member
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Post by annej on Feb 7, 2016 4:17:57 GMT
Jordan, I agree with your point that Jay Gatsby never truly achieved the American dream in this novel. He spent so much of his life dedicated to achieving his goal of being with Daisy, that he wasted it away. I feel as though there are many parts involved in achieving the American dream, including money, love, and happiness, and if you were missing any one of these aspects, the American Dream could not be fulfilled. For example, Gatsby had plenty of money and plenty of love for Daisy Buchanan, but he never reached happiness because he didn't get to live out the rest of his life with Daisy.
In addition, I feel that Gatsby wasn't the only one trying to achieve this American dream, the other characters such as Tom, Daisy, and even Myrtle could have been trying to achieve it as well. Do you think that any of the other characters ended up achieving the American dream?
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Post by jordanhilker on Feb 7, 2016 5:34:47 GMT
In addition, I feel that Gatsby wasn't the only one trying to achieve this American dream, the other characters such as Tom, Daisy, and even Myrtle could have been trying to achieve it as well. Do you think that any of the other characters ended up achieving the American dream? first: I love your profile picture Also, I totally agree with your opinion that Gatsby wasn't the only one trying to achieve the american dream. I believe that another character that was highlighted in trying to achieve the american dream was Myrtle. I think that she was not happy with her husband and her wealth, so she thought that Tom could change that. I believe that she had an affair with Tom in order to gain more wealth and happiness. However Tom did not think the same. I think that Tom was just having fun, he didn't want anything serious from Myrtle. |
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Post by lisasortino on Feb 7, 2016 20:41:11 GMT
Jordan, you have a good point but I disagree that "Fitzgerald is saying that the American Dream cannot be reached." I think that Fitzgerald believes in the American Dream but is saying that Gatsby and the other characters in the book do not go about the right way to attain the American Dream nor do they have the correct idea of what the American Dream is. By throwing lavish parties and having a big house, Gatsby is not anywhere near achieving the American Dream. The American Dream is achieved by being happy and loved. And if Gatsby's dream is to get Daisy back, is throwing parties and just being rich really going to make that happen?
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