Introduction
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, published in 1925, is a profound critique of the American Dream, exploring themes of aspiration, success, and disillusionment in the context of the Jazz Age. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, the novel presents a society obsessed with wealth and status, reflecting the promise—and often the illusion—of the American Dream as a pathway to happiness and fulfilment. This essay examines how various characters in ‘The Great Gatsby’ perceive and pursue this ideal, focusing on Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and George Wilson. Through a detailed analysis of their motivations and outcomes, it argues that Fitzgerald portrays the American Dream as a flawed and often unattainable construct, shaped by individual desires and societal constraints. The discussion will highlight the contrasting perspectives of these characters, demonstrating the complexity of the Dream and its ultimate hollowness for many.
Jay Gatsby: The Romantic Idealist
Jay Gatsby, the novel’s protagonist, embodies the quintessential pursuit of the American Dream through his relentless ambition to achieve wealth and win back Daisy Buchanan, whom he sees as the embodiment of his dream. Gatsby’s belief in the Dream is rooted in the notion of self-reinvention; born into poverty as James Gatz, he transforms himself into a wealthy figure through sheer determination and questionable means. His lavish parties and ostentatious lifestyle are driven by the hope of rekindling his romance with Daisy, symbolising his belief that money can buy happiness and love (Fitzgerald, 2004). However, Gatsby’s idealism blinds him to the reality of Daisy’s superficiality and the entrenched class barriers that separate them. As Lehan (1990) argues, Gatsby’s pursuit is not merely of wealth but of an idealised past, a dream that cannot be recaptured in a materialistic present. Thus, Gatsby’s tragic end underscores Fitzgerald’s critique of the American Dream as an illusion, unattainable not because of personal failure but due to its inherent flaws and the corruption of the society he inhabits.
Daisy Buchanan: The Cynical Beneficiary
In contrast to Gatsby’s idealistic pursuit, Daisy Buchanan represents a more cynical engagement with the American Dream, viewing it through the lens of security and privilege rather than aspiration. Married to Tom Buchanan, Daisy enjoys the comforts of old money, which provide her with a superficial sense of fulfilment. Her initial attraction to Gatsby stemmed from his promise and mystery, yet she ultimately chooses Tom’s stability over Gatsby’s uncertain passion, revealing her prioritisation of material security over emotional depth (Fitzgerald, 2004). Indeed, Daisy’s famous line, “I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool,” reflects her resignation to a world where genuine dreams are irrelevant for women of her class (Fitzgerald, 2004, p. 17). Scholars such as Tyson (2006) suggest that Daisy’s passivity and eventual betrayal of Gatsby critique the gendered limitations of the American Dream, where women are often objects rather than active pursuers of their aspirations. Therefore, Daisy’s perspective reveals the Dream as a hollow promise for those who are already privileged yet remain unfulfilled.
George Wilson: The Disillusioned Striver
George Wilson, a working-class character, offers yet another perspective on the American Dream, one marked by struggle and ultimate disillusionment. As the owner of a failing garage in the desolate Valley of Ashes, George dreams of a better life for himself and his wife, Myrtle, believing in the possibility of upward mobility through hard work. However, his dream is shattered by economic hardship and personal betrayal, as Myrtle seeks escape through her affair with Tom Buchanan (Fitzgerald, 2004). George’s tragic end, driven by despair and a misguided quest for justice after Myrtle’s death, highlights the harsh reality faced by those at the bottom of the social hierarchy. As Bloom (2006) notes, Wilson’s story serves as a stark counterpoint to Gatsby’s, illustrating how the American Dream is not only unattainable for the poor but also destructive, offering false hope in a system rigged against them. Thus, through George, Fitzgerald exposes the Dream as a cruel mirage for the underprivileged, devoid of any real opportunity for advancement.
The Broader Critique of the American Dream
Beyond the individual perspectives of these characters, Fitzgerald uses their collective experiences to mount a broader critique of the American Dream itself. The novel suggests that the Dream is corrupted by materialism and social inequality, transforming a once-noble ideal into a shallow pursuit of wealth and status. Gatsby’s failure, Daisy’s complacency, and Wilson’s despair collectively illustrate the limitations of a Dream that is more mythology than reality. Furthermore, the setting of the novel—divided between the opulent East and West Egg and the desolate Valley of Ashes—reinforces this critique, symbolising the stark disparities that undermine the promise of equal opportunity (Lehan, 1990). Indeed, Fitzgerald’s portrayal aligns with historical analyses of the 1920s as a period of growing disillusionment with American idealism, following the excesses of the era (Miller, 2007). By presenting characters with diverse yet ultimately unfulfilled engagements with the Dream, Fitzgerald challenges readers to question its validity in a society driven by greed and class division. This analysis arguably resonates even today, as debates about social mobility and economic inequality continue to shape interpretations of the American Dream.
Conclusion
In ‘The Great Gatsby’, F. Scott Fitzgerald offers a nuanced exploration of the American Dream through the contrasting perspectives of Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and George Wilson. Gatsby’s romantic idealism, Daisy’s cynical acceptance of privilege, and Wilson’s tragic disillusionment collectively reveal the Dream as a flawed and often unattainable ideal, corrupted by materialism and social inequality. While Gatsby pursues an unattainable past, Daisy settles for superficial security, and Wilson is crushed by systemic barriers, each character’s journey underscores Fitzgerald’s broader critique of an American society obsessed with wealth at the expense of genuine fulfilment. This analysis not only illuminates the novel’s themes but also invites reflection on the enduring relevance of the American Dream as a concept fraught with contradictions. Ultimately, Fitzgerald’s work serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of equating success with material gain and urging a reconsideration of what constitutes true happiness and achievement in any era.
References
- Bloom, H. (Ed.) (2006) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Chelsea House Publishers.
- Fitzgerald, F. S. (2004) The Great Gatsby. Scribner.
- Lehan, R. D. (1990) F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Craft of Fiction. Southern Illinois University Press.
- Miller, J. E. (2007) The American Dream in the Twentieth Century. Oxford University Press.
- Tyson, L. (2006) Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide. Routledge.
