The American dream, a concept present in American literature from its inception, is an aspiration for individuals to escape poverty and attain wealth, while also acquiring love, high status, wealth, and power along the path to success. Despite undergoing changes over time, this dream is often grounded in notions of freedom, self-reliance, and yearning for something greater. The original dream of early settlers who sought new lands out West to establish a family has transformed into a materialistic symbol wherein individuals desire opulent homes, extravagant cars, and a life of ease.
The American dream has increasingly focused on material possessions as a symbol of success in the past century. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby embodies the idea of a self-made person who starts from nothing but has a plan to achieve his dream. However, he becomes so obsessed with his extravagant belongings that he fails to realize that money cannot buy love or happiness. Fitzgerald shows how the pursuit of wealth, power, and expensive items can corrupt one’s ambitions. Gatsby is someone who recently gains wealth and his idealized view of riches has not prepared him for the deceitful, arrogant, and immoral company he surrounds himself with.
Despite throwing extravagant parties and being surrounded by countless people, Gatsby lacks genuine friendships. He spends money on lavish items and hosts grand social gatherings as a way of compensating for his longing for something more meaningful. However, Nick Caraway recognizes that beneath his involvement in illicit business dealings and obsession with wealth, Gatsby possesses a fundamentally good nature. In their final encounter before Gatsby’s demise, Nick tells him, “They’re a corrupt crowd… You’re worth more than the entire worthless bunch combined” (Fitzgerald 162). Gatsby’s idealistic outlook on life may partially contribute to his failure in attaining his dream.
Although he has amassed his wealth through illegal activities and dubious business dealings, his conscience remains unaffected by the moral corruption that surrounds him. Gatsby’s existence has not been tailored to his own desires but rather to his dream, his pursuit of a luxurious life ignited by the allure of an exquisitely affluent woman. Gatsby’s muse and motivation stem from the captivating Daisy Buchanan, who he was acquainted with during his military service. Daisy’s parents deemed Gatsby an unfit suitor due to his disadvantaged background and lacking substantial wealth. The narrator, Nick Caraway, perceives Daisy as an emblematic figure of wealth and beauty.
Daisy serves as the embodiment of Gatsby’s aspirations; he depicts her voice as being filled with wealth. Gatsby describes her voice as having the irresistible allure of money, constantly fluctuating and jingling, resembling the melody of cymbals (Fitzgerald 127). Some may see her as a modern-day temptress, as her deep and enigmatic voice captivates men. Gatsby becomes infatuated with her voice to the point where all his actions revolve around winning Daisy’s affections. Her voice implies the promise of immense riches. However, Gatsby realizes too late that her voice only guarantees wealth and nothing more.
There is no compassion in Daisy, just as there is none in cold, hard cash. Despite Daisy being married and their affair, Gatsby’s strong idealism leads him to believe that his vision will come true if she simply admits to never having loved her husband, Tom. Gatsby not only desires to relive the past but also wishes to erase the years when his dream lost its reality. For the past five years, Daisy has been at the center of Gatsby’s obsession, and his romantic nature prevents him from distinguishing between the past and present.
Despite the passage of time, Gatsby still sees Daisy as the same radiant woman he once knew, believing they will have a prosperous future together. However, he fails to realize that Daisy represents both material success and moral corruption often associated with wealth. While she may seem kind and pure on the surface, deep down she is self-centered and unemotional. Daisy shows little concern for others’ well-being, demonstrated by her willingness to let Gatsby take blame for Myrtle Wilson’s accidental death. Ultimately, it is Daisy’s careless actions that lead to Gatsby’s downfall, and she remains indifferent to the tragic consequences.
Despite engaging in adultery, she never had the intention of leaving her husband. As soon as she becomes aware of Gatsby’s questionable history, she promptly goes back to the arms of her equally self-centered and unethical spouse. On a surface level, Fitzgerald’s novel may appear to be a shallow depiction of the jazz era, extravagant parties, and allure that defined the early 1900s. Yet upon closer examination, it becomes clear that The Great Gatsby serves as a profound critique on how materialism can lead to destructive and oppressive outcomes for individuals within society.
The novel juxtaposes the aspiration of those without to resemble the privileged with the discontent and dissatisfaction experienced by those who already possess riches and status. In essence, the elitist faction within the narrative is depicted as lacking purpose, disillusioned, and unenthusiastic. The Buchannans’ aimless wandering from one location to another sans a defined objective or aim serves as an embodiment of this notion. Jordan Baker consistently dons an expression of indifference and boredom on her countenance. Although these individuals are regarded as the “haves,” Fitzgerald prompts readers to question whether their material possessions genuinely bring them satisfaction.
Gatsby’s life centers on being part of an exclusive group, but it becomes evident that his disreputable background hinders him from truly belonging. It is worth noting that Gatsby’s idealistic romanticism does not align with this group; regardless of how high he climbs on the social ladder, he will never completely fit in. Ironically, those who possess the means – whether money or social status – to achieve their dreams lack the drive or longing to do so. The social groups of East Egg and West Egg consist of drifting, careless, and shallow individuals, symbolizing how materialism can corrupt.
Gatsby, in the midst of materialism and discontent, finds his dream of success tarnished. His aspiration of going from rags to riches transforms into a bleak nightmare that ultimately leads to his downfall. The corrupt world he enters is not how he imagined it would be, and he is constantly confronted with examples of unhappiness caused by the pursuit of “success.” Blinded by his dream, Gatsby fails to recognize that love and happiness cannot be bought with money. Fitzgerald skillfully critiques a society obsessed with possessions and demonstrates the detrimental impact it can have on the aspirations and dreams of individuals.
