How Did Gatsby Achieve The American Dream

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Wealth, love, popularity, or happiness can all be used to measure success, depending on what a person defines success as. The American Dream can combine all these goals into a fantasy for people of lower classes, making it difficult to achieve. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby dedicates his life to win back his lost love, Daisy. Gatsby rises in social class and lives a life that shows prosperity in multiple ways. In order to prove that he has achieved the American Dream, Gatsby pursues symbols that represent to himself that he has made it in life. Fitzgerald develops Oxford University, Daisy, and the color green to represent the American Dream. Fitzgerald develops Oxford University to represent the American Dream. On the road to success, many people go to universities that are known for leading others to a wealthy lifestyle. Oxford is one of those universities and it brings great prestige for one to be able to call themselves and "Oxford man". Gatsby tells Nick, "'I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford, because all my ancestors have…show more content…
Many times in the novel, green is used to mean “go” or to symbolize prosperity. Gatsby tells Daisy, "'You always have a green light that burns at the end of your dock'" (92). Gatsby’s use of the word “always” demonstrates that Gatsby takes note of the light every night, because he is looking towards Daisy’s house. This shows that he often thinks about her and literally sets his sights on her. By eventually reaching that green light and getting Daisy, Gatsby achieves part of the American Dream. In addition, Gatsby’s yard is greener and nicer looking than Nick’s, showing that the darker green shows that Gatsby has more money. Wealth is another part of the American Dream that Gatsby accomplished. Overall, Fitzgerald develops the symbol green to represent the love and wealth aspects of the American Dream that Gatsby
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