Corruption Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald wrote “The Great Gatsby” as a satire that criticizes the American ideals in the roaring 20’s. He shows the carelessness of everyone during the time by depicting them in the community of East and West Egg. Fitzgerald conveys a few different themes throughout the story; one is "the American Dream is corrupted by the craving for wealth" and the other is "the fulfillment of a dream may be less entertaining than the pursuit of it". The American Dream is a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. This dream is corrupted between the relationship of Gatsby and Daisy. Daisy is the symbol of all that Gatsby strives for. Her voice was "full of money-that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song in it" (Fitzgerald 120). He became so fascinated by her voice that he based all of his actions on winning Daisy over. However, Gatsby is too late to realize that money is the only thing her voice promises, there is no compassion in Daisy. Daisy's dream is corrupted by wealth because she is caught up with Tom

Gatsby's dream was to get Daisy. We see this repetition of a "green light" throughout the story. Every time Gatsby looked at Daisy's house, Fitzgerald mentioned the green light. Fitzgerald compares Gatsby's green light to the "green breast of the new world" (Fitzgerald 180), comparing Gatsby's dream of being with Daisy to the discovery of America and the promise of new land. The pursuit of the dream was more satisfying for Gatsby than actually attaining it. He threw parties just to hope she would come and she would be able to see him. He became rich so he could impress her with buying her whatever she wants whenever she wants