What is the meaning of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby?

Answered by Michael Wilson

The American Dream, as depicted in The Great Gatsby, is a complex and multifaceted concept. At its core, it is meant to represent the idea that anyone, regardless of their background or social status, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. However, Fitzgerald’s novel reveals that the American Dream has been distorted and corrupted, becoming more about materialism and the pursuit of pleasure, rather than genuine personal growth and fulfillment.

In the novel, we see characters like Jay Gatsby who embody the pursuit of the American Dream. Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, is a symbol of the rags-to-riches ideal that the American Dream promises. He has worked his way up from a humble background to become a wealthy and successful individual. However, Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream is driven by his desire to win back the love of Daisy Buchanan, a woman from his past who represents wealth, status, and everything he thinks will make him happy.

Gatsby’s obsession with material wealth and the pursuit of pleasure is a clear indication of how the American Dream has become distorted in the novel. He throws extravagant parties, buys luxurious possessions, and surrounds himself with the trappings of wealth, all in an attempt to impress Daisy and live up to the idealized version of the American Dream. However, despite his wealth and success, Gatsby is ultimately unable to find happiness or fulfillment because he has placed all his hopes and dreams on material possessions and the pursuit of pleasure.

The character of Tom Buchanan also exemplifies the corruption of the American Dream. Tom comes from old money and is already wealthy and privileged. However, he uses his wealth and status to assert his dominance and control over others. He is selfish and materialistic, using his wealth to maintain his position of power and indulge in his own desires. For Tom, the American Dream is about maintaining his social status and preserving his own privilege, rather than achieving personal growth or helping others.

Through the characters of Gatsby and Tom, Fitzgerald shows that the American Dream has become more about the accumulation of wealth and the pursuit of pleasure, rather than the original ideals of independence and self-improvement. The characters in the novel are so consumed by their desire for material possessions and social status that they lose sight of what truly matters in life.

The Great Gatsby depicts a distorted and corrupted version of the American Dream. Instead of representing independence and the ability to make something of oneself through hard work, the American Dream in the novel has become more about materialism and the selfish pursuit of pleasure. Fitzgerald’s critique of the American Dream serves as a warning about the dangers of placing too much emphasis on material wealth and status, and the importance of finding genuine personal fulfillment and happiness.