American Dream In The Great Gatsby

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One of the most severest and closest criticisms of the American dream is reflected in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald practices the use of innuendo events and actions that gradually mock this ideal. The American Dream defines that every U.S. citizen has the equal opportunity to obtain an upward mobility for themselves through hard work, and determination; which would make you happy. The theme in Gatsby is the atrophy of that unreachable dream. It is a fairy tale told to American children, promising a ‘happily ever after’. How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster, mentions how symbols are usually repeated throughout a novel several times. As well as “symbols are not just images and objects within a novel;…show more content…
Myrtle has an affair with a “rich and famous” man with a strong character; the prime example of someone who lives the American Dream. Myrtle, on the other hand, is poor and only wishes to live like him. That reason will slowly separate her more and more from her husband and eventually kills her. This type of symbol is not directly described. Foster mentions how “some symbols may be straightforward with their meaning, while others have multiple meanings.” Myrtle’s relationship with Tom may be seen as a straightforward love affair because of lack of attractiveness or how the lower class eagerly finds a way to grasp an inch of upper class status. This constant behavior would lead to her unavoidable destruction and death. Ironically, she was killed by wealth (luxurious car) that was being driven by Daisy (Tom’s wife). Her death may be straightforwardly seen as a car accident or how her desire of an opulent lifestyle and having the American Dream were…show more content…
Foster mentions in one of his chapters “ symbols normally aren’t lying on the surface of the novel, you have to look for it.” There is a scene where the narrator, Nick, meets Wolfsheim and in that encounter it describes just how the American Dream could be achieved through effort and talent; regardless of morality. During a conversation, Wolfsheim comes to ask Nick if he knew that Gatsby attended “Oggsford College.” This mistake of pronunciation describes how Wolfsheim is not a graduate of higher education and more underground business sort to speak. Nick, who studied at Yale, obviously knows what “Oggsford” is and its prestigious reputation. Gatsby’s wealth is suspected to have been generated with the help of his business partner, Wolfsheim, through bootlegging; where alcohol was illegal during the time and in very much high demand. This fountain of wealth helps support Gatsby with his dream of having Daisy and how ambitious his plan
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