Introduction
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s *The Great Gatsby* (1925) remains a seminal work in American literature, offering a scathing critique of the Jazz Age and the elusive promise of the American Dream. Set in the opulent yet hollow world of 1920s America, the novel explores themes of ambition, wealth, and unattainable desire through the tragic story of Jay Gatsby and his obsessive pursuit of Daisy Buchanan. This essay argues that, through Fitzgerald’s depiction of Gatsby’s relentless chase for Daisy, the American Dream is portrayed as an unattainable illusion, the pursuit of which leads only to personal destruction. By focusing exclusively on the characters of Gatsby and Daisy, this analysis will draw on direct textual evidence to illustrate how their relationship embodies the hollow promise of success and happiness. The essay will first examine Gatsby’s idealisation of Daisy as the ultimate symbol of the American Dream, then explore the destructive consequences of his pursuit, and finally consider how Daisy’s own complicity underscores the futility of this dream.
Gatsby’s Idealisation of Daisy as the American Dream
At the heart of Fitzgerald’s narrative is Gatsby’s perception of Daisy as the embodiment of his American Dream—a vision of success, status, and love that he believes will complete his transformation from a poor boy to a man of significance. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy is not merely romantic; it represents his longing for a life of wealth and acceptance in the elite circles of East Egg. As he confides to Nick Carraway, Daisy’s voice is described as “full of money” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 120), a metaphor that encapsulates Gatsby’s conflation of love with material aspiration. This auditory imagery reveals how Daisy, for Gatsby, transcends personal affection and becomes a symbol of the prosperity and social elevation he craves.
Moreover, Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy is rooted in an idealised past, a nostalgic vision of their romance five years prior when he was a soldier and she a young debutante. He believes that recapturing Daisy will restore this lost idyll, thereby fulfilling his dream. However, this belief is fundamentally flawed, as it assumes the American Dream is a static, achievable goal rather than an ever-receding mirage. As scholars like Bewley (1954) note, Gatsby’s dream is less about Daisy as an individual and more about what she represents—an unattainable ideal of perfection anchored in class and wealth. Thus, Fitzgerald uses Gatsby’s pursuit to critique the American Dream as a concept rooted in illusion rather than reality, setting the stage for inevitable disappointment.
The Destructive Consequences of Pursuing the Dream
Gatsby’s unyielding pursuit of Daisy does not bring fulfilment but instead leads to his moral and physical destruction, highlighting the perilous nature of chasing an unattainable dream. His lavish parties, orchestrated in the hope that Daisy might attend, are a desperate attempt to bridge the social gap between West Egg and East Egg. Yet, when Daisy finally attends one such event, she remains emotionally distant, unable to connect with Gatsby’s world of “new money” excess. This is poignantly captured when Gatsby, observing her discomfort, laments to Nick: “Her voice is full of money… That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money—that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 120). Here, Fitzgerald underscores the futility of Gatsby’s efforts; Daisy’s allure is tied to a social status he can never fully attain, no matter how much wealth he amasses.
Furthermore, Gatsby’s pursuit blinds him to ethical boundaries, drawing him into a web of deceit and criminality. His willingness to take the blame for Myrtle’s death—a crime committed by Daisy—demonstrates the extent to which he sacrifices his integrity for an ideal that ultimately betrays him. Indeed, as Lehan (1990) argues, Gatsby’s downfall is a direct result of his inability to distinguish between the dream and the flawed reality of Daisy’s character. When Daisy chooses to remain with Tom Buchanan, despite Gatsby’s sacrifices, it becomes evident that his dream was never within reach. His eventual death, alone and abandoned, serves as Fitzgerald’s stark warning that the American Dream, when pursued with such blind devotion, can only lead to ruin.
Daisy’s Complicity in the Futility of the Dream
While Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy drives the narrative, Daisy herself is complicit in perpetuating the illusion of the American Dream, further underscoring its unattainability. Daisy is portrayed as passive and superficial, more concerned with maintaining her social position than with genuine emotional connection. When reunited with Gatsby, her initial enchantment quickly fades, revealing her inability to commit to his vision of their future. This is evident during their confrontation at the Plaza Hotel, where Daisy, torn between Gatsby and Tom, ultimately falters: “Oh, you want too much! … I love you now—isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 132). This admission reveals Daisy’s unwillingness to fully embrace Gatsby’s dream, highlighting her as a flawed symbol who cannot fulfil the role he has cast for her.
Moreover, Daisy’s choice to remain with Tom, despite his infidelity and cruelty, reflects her prioritisation of security and status over love or personal growth. As such, she embodies the hollow values of the upper class that Gatsby aspires to join, demonstrating that even achieving proximity to the dream does not guarantee happiness or authenticity. Academic critiques, such as those by Tyson (2006), suggest that Daisy represents the seductive yet destructive nature of the American Dream itself—beautiful on the surface but empty at its core. Through Daisy, Fitzgerald illustrates that the dream is not only unattainable for outsiders like Gatsby but also devoid of substance for those within its supposed reach.
Conclusion
In *The Great Gatsby*, F. Scott Fitzgerald crafts a powerful critique of the American Dream through the doomed relationship between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby’s idealisation of Daisy as the ultimate symbol of success reveals the dream’s illusory nature, while his relentless pursuit exposes its destructive potential, culminating in his tragic demise. Daisy’s complicity, meanwhile, underscores the emptiness at the heart of this dream, as she prioritises superficial security over genuine connection. Together, these elements demonstrate Fitzgerald’s argument that the American Dream is not only unobtainable but also a dangerous pursuit that erodes morality and personal integrity. The implications of this critique remain relevant today, prompting reflection on the costs of ambition and the seductive yet hollow promises of material success. As Fitzgerald’s narrative suggests, the pursuit of such dreams, much like Gatsby’s chase for Daisy, often leads to a lonely and devastating end, a cautionary tale for any society enamoured with unattainable ideals.
References
- Bewley, M. (1954) Scott Fitzgerald’s Criticism of America. *The Sewanee Review*, 62(2), 223-246.
- Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925) *The Great Gatsby*. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
- Lehan, R. D. (1990) *F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Craft of Fiction*. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.
- Tyson, L. (2006) *Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide*. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.
Word Count: 1023 (including references)
