How Does F Scott Fitzgerald View The American Dream

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald suggests Fitzgerald thinks that the American Dream is based on illusions. Fitzgerald uses an immense amount of symbolization and a variety of literary devices to portray, define, and all in all bring a whole different perspective to the American Dream. Not only does he shed light on the American Dream, but he goes in depth about the people who pursue it and the impact of their pursuit and desire for it. He does this through his depiction of Jay Gatsby and the people in Gatsby’s life.

To begin, how does F. Scott Fitzgerald view the American Dream and what symbols and literary devices does he use to convey his point of view? F. Scott Fitzgerald sees the American Dream to be based on illusions and desire for the impossible. All the American Dream is and will ever be is hope and desire. Fitzgerald shows that the desire and hope leads to disaster. For example, personally throughout the entire novel the symbol I found that had the most meaning was that of the green light. The green light was at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock and Gatsby would stare at from across the bay. He would reach out for it and realize that it was so close yet so far. I believe that this green light not only symbolizes

how his dream will never become reality, but that it also symbolizes money. This novel has a great deal to do with money and wealth.
Moving on, how does Fitzgerald view the people that pursue the American Dream? Fitzgerald sees the pursuers of the American Dream as careless. I believe this because through the novel there are many moments of carelessness. I realized that at some point or another all the main characters let their money and wealth get in the way of reality and that also causes them to be careless. There are countless examples of how each one of them are careless. Starting with Tom, he is quite insensitive and does not care what anyone else thinks. He treats Myrtle Wilson however he wants and deceives her and his wife. He does whatever pleases him. Daisy is so blinded by her wealth she thinks that money will solve all her worries and woes. She does not even take responsibility for Myrtle Wilson’s death. Gatsby shows his careless personality by throwing the most lavish parties every weekend just in hopes that one day Daisy would come waltzing in the doors. He has created such an enormous amount of wealth illegally and does not show the slightest worry that he might get caught. He spends so much money for Daisy and it shows how careless he is with his wealth because he is blinded by love. Jordan Baker made her professional name and lump of wealth in golf by cheating. She is also a careless driver. Although Nick Carraway is not careless in the way that the other characters are he is not exempt from the list. His type of carelessness is that of a standby. He doesn’t do anything to stop or prevent anything from happening.
Finally, what impact does the American Dream have on the people trying to pursue it?

Starting with Tom’s dream to have everything, he caused Myrtle Wilson’s death in a way and in turn also caused Gatsby’s death. In my opinion, Daisy was the only one that achieved her American dream. Her dream was money and she pretty much married Tom for it and started her affair with Gatsby after she saw his wealth and realized how much he was willing to spend for her. I know this because in the end she stays with Tom and does not even think twice about Gatsby. Gatsby’s dream ultimately led to his death. His dream was Daisy and because he loved her so much he took the blame for her when she killed Myrtle and then George wanted revenge so he killed

Gatsby.
In the end, I’ve realized that Fitzgerald believes the American Dream is built on illusions, hope, and desire. It unlikely becomes reality and it blinds you from reality and makes you careless and it causes disaster. Fitzgerald has shown that the American Dream impacts the people who pursue it negatively. The dream with always be their but it will never be close enough to grasp.