Why Is The American Dream Important In The Great Gatsby

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The American Dream is someone’s pursuit of happiness. Money, power and social status, are primarily given and rarely earned. Many fail to realize money and social class do not make someone successful. Being humble, working hard and making an honest living while achieving success says more about an individual than being handed down things. Attempting and failing builds character, achieving and progressing gives pride and hope. Conquering shows strength and commitment. These life experiences cannot be taught for they are learned and used to sculpt you into a better person each and everyday. In The Great Gatsby achieving the American Dream status was through materials items such as the size of their home, how much money they had and what kind of car they drove. The true American Dream is accomplished by those who strive to achieve success not by those …show more content…

It is very spacious, filled with beautiful furniture and antiques. In the book when Nick first entered the house, he was greeted by a high hallway enclosed by rose colored walls and there were large french windows at either end. The ceiling of the home was ornate, the main rug was the color of wine, and the couch was enormous. They emphasize on the details and luxurious colors to distinguish that they have the means to live a lavish lifestyle. In the beginning of the chapter Nick talks to us about Jay Gatsby's house as “The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden.” Both Jay and Tom’s home are described in detail as luxurious and distinguished because they are wealthy and are perceived as living the “perfect lifestyle.” The way they carry themselves demonstrates that money is not a

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