Divided Between Power And Dream In The Great Gatsby

Lionel Trilling claims that, “Gatsby, divided between power and dream, comes inevitably to stand for America itself.” Trilling is essentially correct when one considers that America itself is divided between power and dream, and when he states that Gatsby is divided by power and dream, but his argument fails when he states that Gatsby comes to stand for America itself.
In his quote, Lionel Trilling claims that Gatsby comes to stand for America itself because he is divided between power and dream, thus implying that America itself is divided between power and dream. This claim, that America has a divide between happiness, such as living the dream, and power, such as wealth and high status, is strongly supported by the text. An example of this division between power and dream can be seen on a character by character basis, however, one

character seems to display this divide more prominently than the others. Meyer Wolfsheim is alluded to as an emotional, caring, and almost soft man when the text states, “‘He becomes very sentimental sometimes,’ explained Gatsby. ‘This is one of his sentimental days. He’s quite the character around New York-a denizen of Broadway’” (73). Keeping this personality of Wolfsheim’s in mind allows the reader to see a clear contradiction between his disposition and his actions. Any person who is described as ‘sentimental’ would not have the dream of illegally obtaining money and cheating their way to wealth and power such as the reader is told Wolfsheim did; “‘Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he’s a gambler.’ Gatsby Hesitated, then added coolly: ‘He’s the man who the World’s series back in 1919’” (73). There is a high level of cognitive dissonance formed between Wolfsheim’s self and his actions, resulting in there being no way for him to achieve his true dreams.
Trilling also proceeds to claim that Gatsby himself is divided between power and dream.

Gatsby’s true dream is made abundantly clear throughout the entire text; winning Daisy back and reigniting the flaming love they once had. Gatsby’s dream of having Daisy divides him from his power at one critical point in the text, “Then I turned back to Gatsby-and was startled by his expression. He looked-and this is said in all contempt for the babbled slander of his garden-as if he had ‘killed a man.’ For a moment the set of his face could be described in just that fantastic way” (134). As Gatsby is arguing with Tom over Daisy and whom she loves, he loses himself to his temper and emotion. He embarrasses himself and soils the image of himself that he's built up for others to see, and loses his perceived power. Gatsby also shows a lack of personal integrity, esteem, and power when he requests for Daisy to say she never loved Tom at any point in time, such as when he says, “‘Daisy, that’s all over now,’ he said earnestly. ‘It doesn’t matter any more. Just tell him the truth-that you never loved him-and it’s all wiped out forever’”

(131-132).
Lionel Trilling’s main claim in his quote, that Gatsby comes to represent America itself, is essentially wrong. It is wrong when considering the motives of America as a whole and comparing them to the motives of Gatsby. During the novel Nick Carraway and Gatsby converse, “‘I wouldn’t ask too much of her,’ I ventured. ‘You can’t repeat the past.’ ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’” (110). America as a whole, especially during this time period, is constantly growing and changing, perpetuating itself into more modern technologies and ideologies. It seems as though America is tripping over itself, trying to reach the future as soon as possible. Based upon this very quote alone, it is made clear that the same cannot be said about Gatsby. He wishes to reminisce the past and bring it back as opposed to heading into the future to try new things. He wants nothing more than to be able to go back into the past and have Daisy once again.