Distortion of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby Essay -- Essays o

In the past the American Dream was an inspiration to many an(prenominal), young and old. To live out the American Dream was what once was on the minds of many Americans. In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream was presented as a corrupted version of what used to be a pure and honest ideal mode to live. The idea that the American Dream was about the wealth and the possessions one had been ingrained, somehow, into the minds of Americans during the 1920s. As a result of the distortion of the American Dream, the characters of F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby along with many others, lived sustenance fully be lyingving in the American Dream, becoming completely immersed in it and in the end suffered great tragedies. Around the 1920s many Americans outlook on demeanor began to change. The American Dream gave them something to fight for, a chance to achieve fame, power, or fortune(Daeleiden 11), a chance to climb above their previous exten sion in terms of the social ladder. Even though it was superficial, Gatsbys outlook on life was something that could be labelight-emitting diode as optimistic. However as optimistic as it was, Gatsby was ignorant to the truths hovering around him. Although Gatsbys intentions were good many times he became confused in what he really wished for. Gatsby believed that if he overcame the poverty of his early life and became someone new he would be able to capture the heart of his beloved Daisy, a woman whose materialistic outlook on life led Gatsby to extremities. Gatsby threw around large amounts of money as if it was nothing in an attempt to win over the heart of his beloved Daisy. He even threw incredibly consume parties in hope that Daisy would attend one giving him t... ...kest way possible. To have an easy life without having to make an effort and to obtain all the materialist possessions within your ability. The remnant between Fiztgeralds American d ream and the Contemporary Dream is that one exemplifies the results rather then the process. Fitzgeralds American Dream is mostly portrayed as a miracle followed by a demise while the Contemporary Dream is more of a lack of effort in the achieving of a superficial American Dream. The similarities however lie in the materialism of the corrupted American Dream. What was once a pure dream became the race to becoming wealthy in ever possible way. two Fitzgerald and the Contemporary Dream emphasize the possessions of one. Fitzgerald however looks at this in a negative way while the other presents materialism as positive and a necessity to achieving the American Dream.