Adam Cohen
Jay Gatsby, the central character of F. Scott
Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby symbolizes the American dream. The American dream
offers faith in the possibility of a better life. Its attendant illusion is the
belief that material wealth alone can bring that dream to fruition. Through
Gatsby, Fitzgerald brings together both these ideas. Jay Gatsby thinks money is
the answer to anything he encounters. He has the best of everything. The
fanciest car, the largest house, and the finest clothes. Jay has everything
except the object he most desires, Daisy. Gatsby believes he can win Daisy over
with wealth, that he could achieve the ideal she stood for through his material
possessions.
One look at Gatsby's past and it could be seen
that he was destined to get ahead in life. Mr. Gatz told Nick, "Jimmy was
bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you
notice what he's got about improving his mind? He was always great for that. He
told me I et like a hog once and I beat him for it" (182). Gatsby's
determination to gain a large bankroll is a huge part of the American dream. He
believes that once he achieved his financial goal it would lead to a better
life.
In America the car is one of the greatest
status symbols. Gatsby's gorgeous machine is one of the most majestic cars
created. Nick's comments on the vehicle describe its luster, "...and there
in its monstrous length with triumphant hatboxes and supper-boxes and
tool-boxes...Sitting down behind many layers of glass in a sort of leather
conservatory we started towards town" (68). The use of the symbolic
automobile can be seen as a demonstration of how an ideal based on materialism
alone can be destructive. This was the fatal car which kills Myrtle Wilson and
indirectly leads to Gatsby's death.
Appearance is another important factor toward
Gatsby's dream. In his quest to win Daisy's heart Gatsby chooses to wear his
best outfit. "...the front door opened nervously and Gatsby in a white flannel
suit, silver shirt and gold colored tie hurried in" (89). Silver and gold
are the colors of wealth, Gatsby's sartorial splendor is as lavish as any of
the other items he owns. Gatsby's shirts are more then just garments towards
Gatsby. They are some of the many fascinating objects he possesses that were
created by money. These shirts contribute towards Gatsby's vision of the
American dream, that his money and belongings will create happiness for him.
Another major object of Gatsby's dream was his
incredible house. Jay states to Nick and Daisy,
"My house looks well, doesn't it? See how the whole front of it
catches the light" (95). Jay gave Nick and Daisy the grand tour of his
house showing of all of his worldly possessions. Room after room, everything
was shown and mentioned. At the sight of his piles and piles of shirts Daisy
broke down. "They're such beautiful shirts, it makes me sad because I've
never seen such--such beautiful shirts before" (98). Jay Gatsby's ideals
were parallel to the typical American dream. He wants to claim his objective by
the use of his assets. He thinks that his money will give him happiness in life
through love and his personal belongings.
Even the richest man in the world can't have
everything. Material wealth could provide many things for Jay Gatsby but not
the thing he most desired. Although his wealth drew Daisy closer to him, he
never truly could have possessed her heart. He demanded Daisy to state that she
had never loved Tom Buchanan. "Oh, you want too much!" she cried to
Gatsby, "I love you now--isn't that enough? I can't help what's past. I
did love him once--but I loved you too." (139-140). Jay's true love still
remained with her uncaring husband, Tom. Jay Gatsby's dream was smashed when he
found out that even all of his assets weren't enough to woo Daisy to him.
Jay Gatsby's belief in the American dream keep
him from realizing reality. He believes that if he worked hard enough and made
enough money that he could have anything. He wants to perceive the world as a
place where sufficient wealth would enable him to recapture and recreate the
past he desired with Daisy. Gatsby began planning for his dream when he was
young. This can be seen from his journal he wrote as a young man which was
discovered by Mr. Gatz. His attempt to
accomplish his dream with cars and shirts could not have been successful. The
American dream cannot be accomplished, money is just one factor towards
happiness in this world.
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