Blog 4: Text Connections

In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald continuously questions the notion of the “American Dream,” as well as the ideologies that founded our country, through the experiences and actions of Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, and Nick.  Distraught over the aristocratic society and established class structure that prevailed England in the 18^th century, many left to make the voyage to the New World; a place where opportunities were abundant and the concept of bettering yourself through hard work in order to achieve your dreams was encouraged.  In the novel, Gatsby started off as a boy with no resources who was intrigued by the idea of being successful and wealthy in order to stabilize himself in society.  Although his cravings for materialism and luxury were ultimately satisfied, Gatsby was never able to fulfill his desire for marrying Daisy, the love of his life.  By instilling a dramatic end to Gatsby’s interpretation of the “American Dream,” the author shows how even though it was a predominant notion of the time, unfortunately, it never turned into reality for most Americans.  Throughout history, the West has been a land traditionally associated with promise and fortuity.  Although it is depicted as dreary and desolate in the book, society there is permeated with values and morals, as seen through Nick, the one honest and caring character in the novel.  On the other hand, the industrial East, although alluring and glamorous on the surface, was constituted on the greed and the need for individuals to attain high living standards.  Tom and Daisy are emblems of this very ideal, and are constantly contrasted with Nick and the values he represents.  By relating the characters of the novel back to the beliefs and principles that America was founded on and developed over time, F. Scott Fitzgerald doubts if it is possible for the “American Dream” to ever be attained, and delineates between the mindsets present in different regions of our country.