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

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’”