The Great Gatsby Mental Health Analysis

Wealth Vs Mental health

What inspires you the most dream or goal? People have various definitions about the American dream. Since the discovery of America, money has always been viewed as a fountain of happiness. But the main question to ask oneself is “ By what extent will money bring happiness? Material success is often confused with true happiness. According to me American Dream is attainable, due to determination and perseverance. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book “The Great Gatsby” the character, Jay Gatsby focused on acquiring money to get love. In Chris Gardner's play “The Pursuit of Happyness” Chris Gardner dreamed and struggled hard to achieve money for his son’s better future. In Lorraine Hansberry’s book, “A Raisin in the Sun”

the character Walter dreamed to open Alcohol shop to earn wealth and get out poverty.
Moreover, in F.

Scott Fitzgerald’s book “The Great Gatsby”, Jay Gatsby's american dream was to earn wealth, to portray himself wealthy and high standard in front of society. To create a reputation of a prosperous man, he wasted his money in possessions and parties to impress Daisy. Daisy belonged to a royal family. Daisy had mentality that “a rich girl would never marry a poor boy”. She loved Gatsby only when he accomplished wealth, but as soon as she realized that Gatsby would be in a big trouble, she left him and did not cared about his money anymore. In this example, we can see that the wealth earned was fruitless, it neither provided love nor care. Instead, it made the beautiful girl turn out ugly from within. Gatsby died leaving behind his wealth. His wealth never gave him happiness or

satisfaction.
Secondly, in the play “Pursuit of Happyness”, Chris Gardner was considered unfortunate by his wife just because he did not have money.

But he was absolutely fine with no money because he knew that by determination and hard work, one day he will gain wealth and accomplish his American Dream. All he needed was support of his family to get things secured but his wife left him alone when he needed her the most. Money was the reason for their separation. In addition, he slept in a public bathroom with his son. He worked as an intern with no pay for six months. Later, after lot of physical and emotional hindrance. Chris finally got successful and realized that the dreams only come true when you work for it. “When you gotta a dream…. You gotta protect it”. He fulfilled his ambition by courage and earned respect in society. He set an example that money can never overcome love and happiness. Always encourage a person by providing love. Happiness makes a person more productive. Now, Chris Gardner is extremely content with his life because people adore and appreciate

him.
Finally, In Lorraine Hansberry book, A Raisin in the Sun, Walters American dream was to do progress and live lavish a life like white people. He worked as a chauffeur to rich whites. He thought to escape poverty by starting a new alcohol business. Even though, it was against his mamma's ethics, he made a business deal with Willy Harris and invested his money. Willy Harris intentionally took away all his money. Walters family knew that he is broken and he needs love more than money. They supported him only because he realized his mistake. In the end, Walter got to knew that nothing is more precious than family’s happiness. He enjoyed being loved by family. He felt that togetherness is the true happiness, not wealth.
In conclusion, it is beneficial to be happy, then to have money because money can buy material things, but happiness given by loved ones will push us forward to work progressively, it adds meaning to life. In the ideal American Dream money is important but it is not the purpose of life. The purpose of life is to live fullest and simply be happy and appreciated what you have been gifted by god.