Essay about Jay Gatsby and the American Dream - 882 Words

Men and women all around the world work countless hours of their lives to fulfill their dreams. In America, many people strive to make the money necessary for them to be able to buy, what they believe, will truly make them happy. In the majority of cases, this is known as the American Dream. In â€Å"The Great Gatsby† by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is a man that comes up from nothing and becomes involved in criminal activity to live out his version of the American Dream. Gatsby’s case is similar to Charlie Wales from â€Å"Babylon Revisited†, in that he discovers that there is more to the dream then the money and the dream is not always going to live up to the expectations he has for his life. The American Dream is an ideal, a thing that is†¦show more content†¦Gatsby fulfilled the dream in that he gained his wealth in an overwhelming amount. The narrator in â€Å"The Great Gatsby†, Nick Callaway, described Gatsby’s home when he said, à ¢â‚¬Å"The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden,† (9). In a trip inside the enormous closet in Gatsby’s house, Nick states, â€Å"He took out a pile of shirts and began throwing them one by one before us, shirts of sheer linen and thick silk and fine flannel which lost their folds as they fell and covered the table in many-colored disarray†¦.shirts with stripes and scrolls and plaids in coral and apple green and lavender and faint orange with the monograms of Indian Blue,† (97-98). The vast wealth of Gatsby was definite and he had also convinced himself that he found his true love, Daisy Buchannan, who was married to another man. Nick mentions, at a time when Daisy and Gatsby were together, â€Å"†¦she got up and went over to Ga tsby, and pulled his face down kissing him on the mouth. ‘You know I love you,’ she murmured,† (123). At this time, Gatsby thought he had it all, but this is actually when things began on a downward fall. Gatsby was not alone in assuming that having a version ofShow MoreRelatedJay Gatsby and the American Dream563 Words   |  2 PagesJay Gatsby and the American Dream The Great Gatsby is a very famous novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that goes back to the 1920’s. The book is narrated by a man who actually witnessed the events and took part in these events, and his name is Nick Carraway. Through his narration, we learn about a man whose real man is James Gatz, but he goes by the name Jay Gatsby. He continuously calls people â€Å"old sport.† (Fitzgerald, 161) He lives in a mansion on West Egg near where Nick lives. 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He acts in a manner of obliviousness when many of the people whom he associates with mock him, such as when and an unnamed woman in Gatsby’s house in Chapter VI gives an insincere invitation for Gatsby to come to dinner and, after Ga tsby naively accepts the invitation, Tom ridicules him by asking Nick, â€Å"Doesn’t he know she doesn’tRead MoreEssay about Jay Gatsby ´s American Dream in The Great Gatsby974 Words   |  4 PagesThe ideal American Dream can be portrayed in many different ways, though generally based upon the idea of opportunity for upward mobility within society. While people move to the top of society, they accumulate the perceived good things in life: the perfect partner, high social status and respect in the workplace to go along with the unlimited wealth and power. This idea is dated all the way back to the beginning of American literature. In the past, Americans started with the basic needs and onlyRead MoreGreat Gatsby1147 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby , protagonist Jay Gatsby progresses as a hero through his dedication for love, his youthful dreams, and his Christ-like persona. His passion for love reflects in his greatness; for he proves commitment, dedication, and a loving soul for others. Jay Gatsby lives the model of the American Dream in a youthful and undertaking way. Extravagance combined with dreams for success comes greatness. Gatsby also is considered a vision of Jesus Christ as theRead MoreGatsby American Dream Essay1363 Words   |  6 Pages The American Dream The great Gatsby is a classic novel in which money is centered around everything. All Jay Gatsby wants to do is live the American dream. Some say Gatsby did live the American dream. Though Gatsby made lots of money and threw tons of parties their was one thing he was missing. The thing Gatsby was missing was a peaceful state of mind and a lover. In this book written by Scott Fitzgerald called The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby finds out the American Dream isn t attainableRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1592 Words   |  7 PagesMcGowan English 11A, Period 4 9 January 2014 The Great Gatsby Individuals who approach life with an optimistic mindset generally have their goals established as their main priority. Driven by ambition, they are determined to fulfill their desires; without reluctance. These strong-minded individuals refuse to be influenced by negative reinforcements, and rely on hope in order to achieve their dreams. As a man of persistence, the wealthy Jay Gatsby continuously strives to reclaim the love of his life