Introduction
The movement towards equality and fair opportunity in America is reflected in various literary works. The 1920s, often regarded as the most prosperous years for the spread of the American dream, can also be considered prominent evidence towards the decline of the discussed idea and the social morals of that age. The possibilities provided by the concept and the claim for equal opportunity, although bearing positive intent, had also contributed to the decline of personal values. The novel The Great Gatsby, written by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, perfectly captures the decay of the principles of liberty and fair opportunity, demonstrating the change from individualism to monetary corruption through the main characters’ behavior.
Towards a Better Future: The Significance of Equal Opportunity
The Great Gatsby elaborates on the changes to the original notions of the American dream established after the First World War. Although the initial ideas behind this concept embraced equality and the possibility of happiness for each American citizen, these elements were altered tremendously in the 1920s. The availability of fair opportunity for everyone and the potential to acquire a better social status for lower classes have originated the search for easy wealth, corrupting social values and numerous individuals. Instead of seeking happiness or improving their communities, the characters of The Great Gatsby pursue the ideas of financial affluence and strive to achieve a better social status regardless of the immorality of their actions.
Fitzgerald elaborates on the negative changes in American society through the American dream. Carraway notes that “Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry” (Fitzgerald 68). Thus, discovery and liberty are replaced by a desire for monetary wealth through any means possible. Poverty is now viewed condescendingly, and financial prosperity, rather than morality and personal integrity, are presumed one’s positive qualities. Gambling, bootlegging, and adultery, evident in the behavior of Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson, become the primary strategies to accomplishing the necessary goals, and the American dream itself becomes the symbol of corrupted social values.
The Illusions of the Past in the American Dream
Young Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of the novel, is a manifestation of the accessibility of success for people who were not born into the upper class. Having personally established his affluent social and financial status, he can be considered a beacon of hope for those who desire to alter their standing. Nevertheless, as it becomes known that Gatsby had secured his profits through illegal means in an attempt to impress Daisy Buchanan, the beauty of his American dream starts to vanish (Fitzgerald 100). Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald explains how the American dream was initially supposed to symbolize success and equality but was later deformed, demonstrating the flaws of the society and its corruption.
The results of pursuing the American dream are also depicted in the work, evident in the behavior and attitudes of wealthy characters. The Buchanans, who have inherited their possessions, signify the outcomes of obsession with money and social status. Nick Carraway argues that “Tom and Daisy — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness […] and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (Fitzgerald 137). Even though the American dream should represent a better and happier life, in reality, it illustrates the decaying values of the upper class, who have no regard for individuals with lower social statuses.
Another aspect of the American dream, excellently depicted in the novel, is its glorification and inaccessibility. Throughout the story, Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson are highly enthusiastic about their future, which is marked by wealth and improved social status. Jay Gatsby is infatuated with the idea of Daisy from the earlier years, which is an illusion that is no longer true. In reality, the young woman is only interested in financial prosperity, and the future that Gatsby imagines is impossible. His desires are perfectly illustrated by the green light: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther” (Fitzgerald 138). Incapable of realizing that his goals are unachievable, Gatsby is, in fact, using the American dream in an attempt to return to the past.
Similar to the young man, Myrtle also imagines a perfect future with Tom, failing to grasp his true intentions. From Myrtle’s perspective, there is a perfect opportunity for her to become a representative of the upper class. However, Myrtle’s future is nothing more than a dream inspired by the notions of equal possibility and wealth, as Tom has no interest in fulfilling her aim (Fitzgerald 118). Altogether, Jay and Myrtle’s constant pursuit disclose how fragile the American dream actually is and how heavily it impacted the society of the 1920s.
Conclusion
To conclude, the theme of the American dream and its significance in the novel The Great Gatsby was discussed thoroughly in this essay, elaborating on the corruption behind this idea evident in 1920s America. The alterations of social trends from the upheaval of individualism to financial greed have distorted the positive intentions behind the American dream. Through the concept of equal opportunity and the characters’ pursuit of financial affluence, the author portrays how morality and individualism, which initially represented this notion, were altered in favor of prosperity.
Work Cited
Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner Book Company, 2004.