How Does Fitzgerald Present The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

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In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s cynicism about the American Dream in the 1920’s is represented by the characters Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom. In the 1920’s America was changing in a tremendous way. The rising Stock Markets, World War 1, and the ratification of the 18th Amendment changed the way people were living. When the stock markets crashed citizens didn’t value their money anymore they were just wasting it, they had the mindset that money was really easy to come by. When the 18th Amendment was ratified all of the citizens money started going to alcohol and drugs because the prices of those items were lowered. These things had an huge impact on the 1920’s. Fitzgerald believed that the American Dream was being extremely happy, having opportunities, and…show more content…
Gatsby is in love with Daisy, but she is married to Tom. Daisy is represented as a belief. Daisy comes from a rich family and she believes money is the key to happiness and success. Even though Daisy’s heart is with Gatsby, she did not marry him because he wasn’t rich, but when Tom came along she married him because she feels that his wealth will bring her happiness. “Tell em all Daisy’s change’ her mine!” (76) After Daisy got a letter from Gatsby saying that he was returning Daisy didn’t want to marry Tom, but she still did. The final character whose experiences in the novel reflect the author’s attitude is Tom Buchanan. Tom Buchanan's American Dream has been to simply just stay wealthy. “Tom Buchanan compelled me from the room as though he was moving a checker to another square”.(11) Tom already had everything mapped out he could do whatever he wanted. He had a wife that was nothing but an extra to him and he also had a woman on the side, which made him feel superior. He wanted everything that an important person would have in the 1920s, Tom never worked a day in his life and still had everything he

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