An American Idol? Jay Gatsby is to be thought of as standing for America itself

Not only does Gatsby seek eminence from those surrounding him, but he will do anything to accomplish his task, eventually resorting to complicity in illegal activities.  As we look around at American society, we see greed and corruption, in celebrities such as Martha Stewart and in cases such as the Enron scandal.  Truly, America is a place insensitive to morals and integrity—the desire for wealth outweighs any ethical capacity which may exist within us.  Similarly, Gatsby employs techniques that compromise his human dignity, and evidence of his illicit activity emerges when Tom declares that he found out that “he [Gatsby] and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” (141).  At this accusation, a normal defendant would rebuke and guard his honor, but Gatsby asks nonchalantly, “’What about it?’” (141). Exhibiting no remorse or regret, Gatsby’s spirit has been jaded by his voracious cravings for money and affluence.  Tragic and heartbreaking, the fact that America has ethically deteriorated is inevitably true.  No longer is the American dream defined as an honest, upward climb from abject poverty to a state of grandeur, but as Gatsby shows, the shortcut method of criminal and unfair politics has become the realization for many.

Gatsby, like many blind Americans, wrongly equates his money with self-worth and happiness, and he seeks to find contentment in his possessions.  His lavish assets are truly impressive and splendid, and Nick describes the house as “a factual imitation of some Hôtel 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).  However, his ornate possessions are not genuine; rather, they are gaudy and tacky, unlike the style of East Egg inhabitants.  The flamboyance of his wealth is calculated by Gatsby in a way that impresses the people he encounters.  Whereas the upper-class of East Eggers has no intention of displaying their wealth ostentatiously, Gatsby attempts to fit in and purposely seeks attention in this manner.   In addition, by holding parties every weekend, Gatsby wants others to recognize his wealth.  Nick observes that “people were not invited—they went there.  They got into automobiles which bore them out to Long Island and somehow they ended up at Gatsby’s door.  Once there they were introduced by somebody who knew Gatsby […] Sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all” (45).  Without the appearance of the host, we realize that Gatsby is not very confident in himself, but by throwing parties and building a great reputation, he projects an image that others appreciate.  When others comment on his great deeds, he finally feels a sense of self-worth.  Nonetheless, he is certainly not happy inside, partially because he cannot use his money to buy back Daisy’s love.  Gatsby swears that “he is going to fix everything just the way it was before,” returning to the days when carefree love sprouted between Daisy and him (117).  However, as the old-fashioned adage states, money cannot buy everything.  Money has become an impetus for Gatsby, and he firmly believes he is divine, as evidenced in his wealth and respect.  We learn, though, that some things cannot be bought.  The voids left in the human heart are kept empty, if not magnified, when a person believes money is the answer to life’s problems.  Gatsby is ignorant of this, and in the end, pays the price dearly.

Ultimately, America is filled with those who aspire to accomplish the American dream, yet upon realizing its inability to be attained, they reach their demise.  Creating incredibly idealistic dreams has become the folly of America.  Americans expect more than they really get, and slowly, America is becoming more caught up in fantasy than on a grounded reality.  Symbolizing the impossibility reaching this dream is the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock.  The image of Gatsby “stretch[ing] out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way” has become symbolic of America desperately grabbing onto remnants of an unattainable dream (26).  Having exhausted all one’s energy into trying to make dream become reality, Gatsby’s death represents the destructive toll that a single-minded pursuit can have.  His story, however, has inspired and taught Nick, as he conclusively laments that “we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” (189).  Like an ocean pushing back hopes of advancement into the American dream, reality decks even the most daring of all.  Nick believes, in retrospect, that Gatsby’s life story has shown that the American dream is dead, but to the end, Gatsby stood for America and its ideals.

With a critical eye, we find that Gatsby is a pure American—the greed, corruption, optimism, and desire for happiness are basic constituents of the average American today.  But should we be proud of the country we live in, this so-called bastion of democracy and success?  As the quintessential embodiment of America itself, Gatsby shows the ambivalent nature of America.  For one thing, Gatsby is clear in his goals and his passion for success is undoubtedly resilient.  However, by rising to the top and becoming the American he wanted himself to be, we see moral decay in Gatsby, and the immediate prize of money and wealth cloud him from realizing the falseness of his entire journey.  Whether America stands for something outstanding or murky is a whole different issue.  Nevertheless, in the end, Trilling’s statement is indubitably correct—Jay Gatsby is America.