Essay on "Rise and Fall of the American Dream"

Essay 3 pages (1015 words) Sources: 6 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Rise and Fall of the American Dream in the Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby captures a slice of American life that reveals the dangers of excess. While the novel covers the hope and expanse of the American Dream, many would also agree that the novel is about the decline of the American Dream. Jay Gatsby is the epitome of the self-made man but he allows his dream to become clouded by a growing sense of desire that is far beyond his reach. Through characterization, Fitzgerald demonstrates how destructive materialism, excess, and desire can not only ruin the American Dream but a man's life.

The tragedy of The Great Gatsby is that Gatsby actually does achieve his dream, but it slips away from him when he allows himself to be sidetracked with his infatuation with Daisy. Thomas Inge maintains that the novel "deals symbolically with the failure of the American dream of success" (Inge) by concentrating on possibilities arising from "rags to riches through industry, ambition, self-reliance, honesty, and temperance" (Inge). There is nothing wrong with wanting to have the best and working hard for it but Gatsby allows his dream to become entwined with the myth of obtaining Daisy's love. Inge believes that the myth of Daisy's love "lies the genesis of what impels Gatsby" (Inge). It is a passion strong enough to compel him to achieve great things but not what he wants.

The American Dream is achieved and this is what makes us admire Gatsby. He is a self-made man and can say that he alone earned everything he had. It did not come from inheritance as the Buchanan's wealth did. While it is pleasant to enjoy wealth, the spoils of it become ugly and addictive. It is the excess that begins to ruin Gatsby. His lavishness reveals the heart of the American Dream and it begins with the home. Gatsby's home is gorgeous and elaborate with its "Marie Antoinette bedrooms and Restoration salons" (Fitzgerald 93) and its "Merton College Library" (93). His restroom is decorated with a "toilet seat of pure dull gold" (94) and his suits are crafted by a "man in England . . . who sends over a selection of things at the beginning of each season, spring and fall" (94). All of this is wonderful and extravagant and all to impress Daisy.

Thus, once the American Dream is achieved, the decline of the myth begins. The myth is Daisy's love. We know that Gatsby built "everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes" (97). We also know that he read the Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy's name" (84). When Gatsby claims Daisy's voice is "full of money" (127), we know how far gone he is. He is childish in his belief that his wealth will earn her love. When he tells Nick, "Can't repeat the past? . . . Why of course you can!" (113), we see the depth… READ MORE

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