The Great Gatsby And Their Eyes Were Watching God

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Hurston are both pieces of American literature that have main characters who venture to achieve their dreams and the American dream. According to James Truslow Adams, the pursuit of the American dream entails that, "Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" (Adams). This idea should not change depending on social class. The stories of Jay Gatsby and Janie Crawford both involve their dreams of love and their journeys to attain their dreams. Gatsby is under the delusion that he has found love with Daisy, but he can never truly be with her because their social classes are too different. Janie tries to find a sense of self and someone to value her as an equal while still finding love.

Though both characters began with little to nothing, they both obtain a high stature and great wealth. They did not earn this wealth, however, so this did not establish temperance within them. Their money does nothing to contribute to their character. Gatsby’s character is presented only through the parties held at his mansion. His wealth was only “earned” through illegal transactions between himself and Meyer Wolfsheim. Janie's character fluctuates throughout the story because she strives to achieve a sense of self through the challenges that she constantly has to face. Janie’s fortune was bequeathed to her by the death of her second husband. This inheritance is unneeded, however, because her third husband, Tea Cakes, is a successful gambler. Tea Cakes is unemployed because making all his money gambling eliminates his need for a job. Both Gatsby and Janie must overcome challenges to create the...

... middle of paper ...

...ever, is able to make something of herself as she ultimately finds her strength through dealing with the loss of her love. Both Jay and Janie fought to achieve their American dreams, but neither was able to hold onto love.

Though Janie from Their Eyes Were Watching God was forced to lose her relationship with her husband, she still achieved some form of love with him and lived decently for the duration of that love. Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby never found his love and fought for it throughout his entire life. Janie also finds a sense of self through her love for Tea Cakes. She is able to find love and achieve her goal in pursuit of her American dream, while Gatsby is unsuccessful in both aspects. The American dream is accurately presented through both pieces of literature; however, Janie Crawford is successful in achieving her dream while Jay Gatsby is not.