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Introduction

Eduardo Moura English Ms. Solowey 3/5/03 The Corruption of The American Dream In a time when the economy was through the roof and people were partying all over the place; the contemporary scene, the extravagance of Gatsby's parties, the shallowness and carelessness of the guests, and the hint of Gatsby's involvement in crime all identify the American setting in the era of the roaring nineteen twenties. The great Gatsby is a comment on the decadence in modern American society. The concern in The Great Gatsby is the corruption of moral values and the decline of spiritual life, a condition that is ultimately related to the corruption of the American dream. In this time period America was a country of great ambition, despair, and disappointment. The Great Gatsby is a clear reflection of this era, illustrating the burning passion a man has toward his "American Dream", the disappointment of loosing this dream and the despair of his loss. Jay Gatsby is one who believes he can buy his happiness, which is exhibited through his house, his clothes, and through, his beloved, Daisy. ...read more.

Middle

He innocently and ignorantly believes he can buy anything he wishes, especially Daisy. Daisy is for sale, but Gatsby doesn't happen to have the right currency. It is clear that Gatsby has the wealth, but does not have the right type of wealth, because he comes from the wrong social class, certainly not the one Daisy is looking for. Due to the dream of attaining a higher social status for Daisy, Gatsby tries to recreate his past, even if it means putting everything else at stake, such as his fulfillment of the American dream. Symbols of the carelessness of the people at this time were the parties Gatsby held at his house every week of the summer. Gatsby would hide in the house while the guests, most of whom weren't even invited, would party, eat and drink till the night was over without even knowing who Gatsby was, many of them would turn up just to be reported in the local newspapers. This clearly shows the carelessness of the guests. A quote about Gatsby's parties refers to the way the guests devour the endless supply of food and never even stop to think about who gave it to them. ...read more.

Conclusion

The truth is that Daisy never really liked Tom, she only married him because of his wealth. The Great Gatsby is an excellent portrayal of the corruption of the American dream as more e-moral values filled the nineteen twenties scene, showing us the way American popular culture became about simply falling into the hands of money, greed, and power, even if it meant getting involved in illegal activities to get where and what you want. Fitzgerald expresses the need for hopes and dreams to give meaning and efforts to all of mans efforts. Striving towards some ideal is the way by which a man can feel a sense of identity. Certainly, Gatsby, with his extraordinary gift of hope, set against all odds and the empty existence of Tom and Daisy Buchanan, seems to achieve nothing but a heroic greatness. It seems that Fitzgerald is right, the failure of hopes and dreams and even the American dream itself, is unavoidable, because the ideals some of us set are sometimes too fantastic or unreal to be realized. The heroic and great presentation of Gatsby is what makes him reach for the impossible, the American Dream, and to recreate his past and prove himself to be, truly, a one of a kind. ...read more.

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