Gatsby is missing what he wants the most, Daisy. Gatsby ought that house so that Daisy would be right across the bay” (Fitzgerald 59). Gatsby always glazed at that green light but never did anything about it. The American dream is hard earned success. Gatsby bought that house but put no effort into talking to her on his own. “l think he half expected her to come to his parties some night” (Fitzgerald 60). Gatsby lives an extravagant life. He throws the best parties, he has the best house, best cars and has pretty much whatever he wants. He has the money and the power but he did not work hard to get any of that. He inherited it from his family and then lost it.
He earned his money back by doing shady jobs like selling drugs. “l was in the drug business and then I was in the Oil business. But IM not in either now” (Fitzgerald 67). He does not do anything anymore other then throw parties and show his money. He does not go after what he really wants. In the 1 sass’s money was something everyone struggled to find. Many people had money but that’s it, money was the only thing Gatsby had a lot of. A lot of other people had a spouse and children but he did not have affection from anyone. Gatsby waited for affection to come for him just like everything else did in his life.
He has people everywhere to do everything for him. Nick knows that Gatsby is not living the American dream. He knows that Gatsby is truly UN happy. Nick can tell he is unhappy because he knows Gatsby wants Daisy. You can not live the American dream if you are not happy. Gatsby is not happy because he is not with Daisy. He wants her to come to him. Gatsby uses Nick to get closer to Daisy. Nick will start to resent Gatsby when he starts to realize that. Gatsby has everything he wants materialistically wise. “It was Gatsby mansion. Or, rather as I did not know Mr.. Gatsby, it was a mansion, inhabited by a gentleman” (Fitzgerald, 9).
This was Nick at the beginning of the book. He was memorized by Gatsby. He did not know Gatsby but he already assumed he was a gentleman. He knew Gatsby was rich and he threw big parties but what he did not know is that Jay Gatsby is unhappy. The American dream is not about the materials like everyone thinks it is. TO everyone In the asses Gatsby is living the American dream but he knows he is not. All wants is love, love from Daisy. Gatsby put no self effort in to loving Daisy. The dream is nothing without love and affection. Gatsby knows that but he does nothing to change that. That is why Jay Gatsby is not living the American dream.
