Corruption of the American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

Corruption of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald embodies may themes, however

the most salient one relates to the corruption of the American Dream. The

American Dream is that each person no matter who he or she is can become

successful in life by his or her own hard work. The dream also embodies

the idea of a self-sufficient man, an entrepreneur making it successful for

himself. The Great Gatsby is about what happened to the American dream in

the 1920s, a time period when the dream had been corrupted by the

avaricious pursuit of wealth. The American dream is sublime motivation for

accomplishing ones goals and producing achievements, however when tainted

with wealth the dream becomes devoid and hollow.

When the American dream was pure, motivation and ambition were some

key aspects of the pure American dream. "He stretched out his arms toward

the dark water in a curious way...and distinguished nothing except a single

green light"(page.26). It shows how Gatsby was striving for the his goal

and trying to accomplish it. When the dream was pure, motivation and

self-discipline were present. This quote talks about Gatsby's daily agenda

and how in the earlier days he upheld the pure American Dream "No wasting

time at Shafters, No more smoking or chewing, Read one improving book or

magazine per week, Save $3.00 per week, Be better to parents" (page 181-

182). Nick says "I became aware of the old island here that flowered once

for Dutch sailors' eyes-a fresh green breast of the new world"(page 189).

This quote shows the pristine goals of where the possibilities were endless

and one could accomplish anything through hard work.

The American dream became corrupted, its main aims were wealth and

power. Gatsby became corrupted because his main goal was to have Daisy.

The only reason he want Daisy was that she symbolized wealth and took on

the characteristics of money. "Her voice is full of money"(page127).

Gatsby needed to have an enormous mansion so he could feel confident enough

to try to win Daisy. " That huge place over there? Do you like it? I love

it" (page95). The tainted dream was so empty that having accouterments of

wealth could even incite feelings of love.