Identity In The Great Gatsby

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Recommended: The American dream as a manifestation of individualism

Throughout life, people are told to dream big, reach for the stars, and many other motivational colloquialisms. The American dream was the pinnacle of success, the perfect life, consisting of what everyone wanted; wealth, women, and fame. The Great Gatsby, perfectly embodies the American dream and the oncoming death during the 1920’s. From start to finish, F. Scott Fitzgerald purely demonstrates the withering American Dream, using the characteristics of the dream and symbolism to explore the American identity. The progression of the novel reveals the theme as the characteristics and identity become clearer from beginning to middle to end.
As the novel commences, Gatsby is a character who we know little about, a single man with no known job …show more content…

During this chase the reader can interpret the oncoming death of his dream as seen in this quote: “‘If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay,’ said Gatsby. ‘You always have a green light at the end of your dock.’ Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of the light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy It had seemed very near to her, almost touching her.” (Fitzgerald 92). This quote takes place as Gatsby is first meeting with a surprised Daisy for tea at Nick’s residence and Gatsby insists that both Nick and Daisy come over for a tour of the colossal estate. While at Gatsby’s, Jay informs daisy about the green light at the end of her dock and how you can see it from the manor. Within this quote, the reader can once again pick up on the symbolism of the green light and how the author makes the connection between the light and daisy by writing: “the colossal significance of the light had now vanished forever.” (Fitzgerald 92). This shows the reader that since daisy is with Gatsby now the light seems to be obsolete, as there no reason to be perceiving the light as his goal as they are now together. The …show more content…

Within the final pages the reader witnesses the death of the American dream, as Jay Gatsby has died and the light has gone out. Fitzgerald manages to incorporate the death of the three characteristics of the American dream into one

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