The Great Gatsby essay
The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, explores a number of themes, the most significant being that of the misuse of the American dream. The American dream is the concept that, in America, any person can be successful as long he or she is prepared to work hard and use his natural gifts. Although, when we think of the "American dream" we automatically assume it means having a life of success and riches, because we money think money can buy happiness. The truth, however, is not what we assume because happiness is not something you can attain but something that grows from within the soul and that's priceless. Fitzgeralds characterization creates a tone around the theme of happines by seperating the good and bad.
Jay Gatsby appears to be the manifestation of this "American dream". He has risen from being a poor farm boy with no possibility of being rich, to having a big house, servants, and a large social circle attending his many over-the-top parties. He has achieved all this in only a few short years, even though he returned from the war penniless. He has done it all to reach this "dream" of his he gets too caught up.
Fitgerald appears to be suggesting that, while wealth and all its luxuries are attainable, status and position are not. For example, although Gatsby has money and possessions, he is unable to find happiness. Those who come to his home do not genuinely like Gatsby, they just come for the huge bashes, the food, the drink and the company, not for Gatsby. Besides, they seem to despise Gatsby, taking every opportunity to gossip about him. Few ever thank him for his hospitality and many come and go without taking the time to meet him. Even Daisy appears unable to cope with the reality of Gatsby’s lower class background. Gatsby is never truly one of the elite, and his dream is just an illusion.
However, Fitzgerald explores much more than the failure of the American dream. He is more deeply concerned with its total corruption. Gatsby has not achieved his wealth through honest hard work, but through bootlegging and crime. His money is dirty money, earned through dishonesty and crime. His wealthy lifestyle is little more than act, as is the character Jay Gatsby. Gatsby has been created from the dreams of the boy James Gatz. Like most, Gatsby gets caught up into the idea of having all this comformity that he forgets who he truly is while searching for this supposed "happiness".
Nevertheless, Gatsby isn't the only one who is corrupt. Nick repeatedly says that Gatsby is the only honest person he knows. The story is full of lying and cheating. Even Nick is involved in this deception, helping Gatsby and Daisy in their affairs and later concealing the truth about Myrtle’s death. The society in which the novel takes place is one of immorality with only money on their mind. Just like Gatsby summed up most of society through describing Daisy, "Her voice is full of money" (chapter 7, pg.98). There are soo many people in the world like Daisy who are blinded by the money that they'll let their happiness be ruled by prejudice and not by their heart.
In conclusion, whether money is inherited or earned, people are living life in search of cheap thrills and with no seeming moral purpose to their lives. While others try to enjoy the little things in life as much as possible regardless them having money or not. Happiness is something that comes from within, not something we can attain with money.
Jay Gatsby appears to be the manifestation of this "American dream". He has risen from being a poor farm boy with no possibility of being rich, to having a big house, servants, and a large social circle attending his many over-the-top parties. He has achieved all this in only a few short years, even though he returned from the war penniless. He has done it all to reach this "dream" of his he gets too caught up.
Fitgerald appears to be suggesting that, while wealth and all its luxuries are attainable, status and position are not. For example, although Gatsby has money and possessions, he is unable to find happiness. Those who come to his home do not genuinely like Gatsby, they just come for the huge bashes, the food, the drink and the company, not for Gatsby. Besides, they seem to despise Gatsby, taking every opportunity to gossip about him. Few ever thank him for his hospitality and many come and go without taking the time to meet him. Even Daisy appears unable to cope with the reality of Gatsby’s lower class background. Gatsby is never truly one of the elite, and his dream is just an illusion.
However, Fitzgerald explores much more than the failure of the American dream. He is more deeply concerned with its total corruption. Gatsby has not achieved his wealth through honest hard work, but through bootlegging and crime. His money is dirty money, earned through dishonesty and crime. His wealthy lifestyle is little more than act, as is the character Jay Gatsby. Gatsby has been created from the dreams of the boy James Gatz. Like most, Gatsby gets caught up into the idea of having all this comformity that he forgets who he truly is while searching for this supposed "happiness".
Nevertheless, Gatsby isn't the only one who is corrupt. Nick repeatedly says that Gatsby is the only honest person he knows. The story is full of lying and cheating. Even Nick is involved in this deception, helping Gatsby and Daisy in their affairs and later concealing the truth about Myrtle’s death. The society in which the novel takes place is one of immorality with only money on their mind. Just like Gatsby summed up most of society through describing Daisy, "Her voice is full of money" (chapter 7, pg.98). There are soo many people in the world like Daisy who are blinded by the money that they'll let their happiness be ruled by prejudice and not by their heart.
In conclusion, whether money is inherited or earned, people are living life in search of cheap thrills and with no seeming moral purpose to their lives. While others try to enjoy the little things in life as much as possible regardless them having money or not. Happiness is something that comes from within, not something we can attain with money.
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