In the Great Gatsby both Nick and Gatsby seek to achieve the American dream. The American dream symbolizes the goal of every American to achieve wealth and stability. Both Nick and Gatsby try to achieve the American dream, however both of them act immorally in order to obtain it. Through the immoral actions of Nick and Gatsby, Fitzgerald tries to express that the American Dream has the potential to corrupt a person, because it may cause he/she to lose sight of basic moral values.
Gatsby acts immorally in order to achieve the American dream. Gatsby first begins his pursuit to accumulate wealth after getting rejected by the love of his life Daisy. It seems as though Gatsby's pursuit of wealth stems purely from his wish to please Daisy. However, Fitzgerald used contextual symbolism to describe Gatsby's true intentions: When Gatsby and Daisy first kiss, they both stand under the light of the moon. Moon light represents a sense of falseness, as the moon really has no light of its own. It merely reflects the sun's light. Therefore, Gatsby has a desire for Daisy, but his utmost desire lies in accumulating wealth. This selfish and steadfast desire allows Gastsby to justify his immoral actions in obtaining his wealth. He feels that just like every other American, he has the right to obtain the American dream, and may go through any means to attain in. Therefore, he essentially becomes a gangster and he lies about his past. With his morality corrupted, he can no longer realize that one must take responsibility for his/her own actions and he does not admit to accidentally killing Mrs. Wilson. Because of his desire to achieve the American dream, Gastsby commits terrible transgressions and loses his sense of morality.
Nick acts immorally in order to achieve the American dream. Nick's parents raise him to have a healthy understanding of morals and ethics. Nick's father especially teaches him not to criticize or judge anyone, since "all the people in the world have not have not had the advantages that (he) has had" (p.