The Great Gatsby exemplifies the “American dream” in the person of Jay Gatsby. Jay Gatsby, the novel’s tragic hero, came back to his home country after fighting in World War I and became a self-made man. He is living proof of what many foreigners see the United States as, “the land of opportunity.” The novel was published in 1925, which was in the bridge between World War I and the Great Depression. Fitzgerald displayed the attitudes and actions of people during the times of the “Roaring Twenties.” During this time, there was sort of a reckless abandon taken by people. Everyone went to lavish parties with one’s gaudy dress or suit worn and drank excessively to the point of no return. The mood of the country during th

The second use of metaphor is shown in Gatsby's house. This image serves as another symbol of aspiration, reflecting both Gatsby's success as an American self-made man and the mirage of an identity he has created to win Daisy's love. Gatsby follows his American Dream as he buys the house to be across the bay from Daisy, and has parties to gain wide-spread recognition in order to impress her. Yet, Owl Eyes, a minor character who attends Gatsby's parties, compares Gatsby's mansion to a house of cards. Owl Eyes states, "that if one brick was removed the whole library was liable to collapse." Ultimately, the inevitable collapse occurs, as Gatsby loses Daisy and dies absolutely friendless, with the exception of Nick. Thus, Gatsby's mansion to referred to as "that huge incoherent failure of a house" by Nick.

F. Scott Fitzgerald accomplished what he set out to do with The Great Gatsby. He wrote an American masterpiece, still read and loved today, as intrictately detailed and metaphorically symbolic as he desired to do. As one reads this novel, one might come to the conclusion that The Great Gatsby is about a failed recreation of an old passion that thrived once. However, I believe the novel to be a message from Fitzgerald about the true message of the American Dream, which once a pure and mighty ideal, however, people and money buried into the ground by greed and emotionlessness. In a sense, the novel is about the death of the American Dream. The dream died a long time ago, even when the novel was published. Even today, people will step on and over others to get rich, powerful, etc. Fitzgerald wrote this novel for posterity, almost as if to be saying, 'Hard work still pays off in the end and don't forget those who helped you along the way.' This novel truly is an exceptional work, and I believe Fitzgerald would be proud of his work.

Nick realizes that Tom and Daisy represent a class of heartless citizens who attain success whatever the cost, even running the risk of being the cold individuals that they are. Their enormous wealth blocks out all inspiration and all true emotion, resulting in apathy sustained by status and power.

Some topics in this essay:
American Dream, Scott Fitzgerald’s, George Wilson, Depression Fitzgerald, Daisy Buchanan, Scott Fitzgerald, James Dickey, Owl Eyes, Nick Gatsby, Tom Gatsby's, green light, american dream, daisy buchanan, novel fitzgerald, george wilson, “roaring twenties”, gatsby daisy reunited, fitzgerald accomplished, accomplished set, ultimate aspiration, jay gatsby, eyes dr tj, fitzgerald accomplished set, dr tj eckelburg,