This paper aims at providing an analysis of the American Dream with regard to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel "The Great Gatsby" from 1925. It will present an examination of whether the pursuit of happiness and freedom or the pursuit of success and wealth has a higher importance in the novel. By taking this issue into account, the change of the American Dream will be examined. Hence, each section will concentrate on the question whether the pursuit of happiness and freedom or the pursuit of success and wealth lead to a change in American society.
First of all, the general meaning as well as the idea and the values of the American Dream will be depicted; particularly, the American Dream as key concept for the understanding of American society will be discussed. Therefore, Fitzgerald’s most famous novel from 1925, is important to establish a connection between the values and the changing role of the American Dream in the literature of the United States of America. It will be examined whether the values of the American Dream changed and which aspects are to be considered when regarding these values. It might be significant to see how the American Dream is changing over the course of time. Afterwards, by presenting the dark side of the American Dream, this paper takes a specific look at the deconstruction of the American Dream in "The Great Gatsby". Due to this fact, the American Dream is turning into an American nightmare, which will also be investigated. What is also presented in this section is a criticism of the American Dream.
Finally, the question whether the pursuit of happiness and freedom or the pursuit of success and wealth plays a more important role will be answered. The changing role of the American Dream will also be clarified and briefly summarized.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Meaning of the American Dream
3. The Idea and the Values of the American Dream
3.1 The American Dream as a Key Concept in The Great Gatsby
3.2 Did the Values of the American Dream Change?
4. The Dark Side of the American Dream
4.1 The Deconstruction of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby
4.2 Criticism of the American Dream
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper explores the evolution of the American Dream as portrayed in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby." It examines whether the focus of the American Dream has shifted from the pursuit of happiness and freedom toward the pursuit of material success and wealth, and how this shift affects society.
- The historical definition and core values of the American Dream.
- Analysis of the individual dreams held by characters in "The Great Gatsby."
- The transformation of the American Dream into an "American Nightmare."
- The critique of materialism and corruption in 1920s American society.
- The impact of time and changing societal values on the fulfillment of personal dreams.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 The Deconstruction of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby
Taking the definition of Adams into account, the American Dream was basically intended to provide equal opportunities for everyone. People all over the world come to America with the hope that they can live this dream. Instead, they realize that the concept of the American Dream is just a dream as it is in The Great Gatsby. Over time, “people are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they’re all asleep at the switch” (qtd. in Bain 275).
As mentioned above, it is not the pursuit of happiness and freedom which people intend to strive for, it is the pursuit of success and wealth; especially the characters in The Great Gatsby only dream of wealth. Gatsby is also striving for wealth, but the difference to the other characters is that he wants to be rich only for his past love Daisy in order to win her back. Unfortunately, “dreams themselves are often – perhaps always – more beautiful than dreams fulfilled” (Abbott 58). The moment when Gatsby realizes that Daisy has completely changed, his dream is turning into a nightmare.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on the American Dream within Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and establishes the central conflict between personal happiness and material success.
2. Meaning of the American Dream: This section defines the historical roots of the American Dream in the Declaration of Independence and provides modern interpretations, including those by James Truslow Adams and Jim Cullen.
3. The Idea and the Values of the American Dream: This chapter explores how the concept of the American Dream relates to the set of values that differentiate America, setting the stage for analyzing characters in the novel.
3.1 The American Dream as a Key Concept in The Great Gatsby: This section analyzes how individual characters, particularly Jay Gatsby, pursue their unique versions of the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties.
3.2 Did the Values of the American Dream Change?: This chapter investigates how societal conditions and the passage of time cause the American Dream's values to shift for individuals and the nation.
4. The Dark Side of the American Dream: This chapter introduces the analysis of the American Dream's transformation into an American Nightmare due to corruption and materialism.
4.1 The Deconstruction of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby: This section details the collapse of Gatsby's dream and how the pursuit of wealth ultimately leads to tragedy and moral decay.
4.2 Criticism of the American Dream: This chapter discusses Fitzgerald's critique of the corruption of original American values through the "vulgar pursuit of material happiness."
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating how the shift from a dream of freedom to one of wealth reflects a broader societal change and the loss of promise.
Keywords
American Dream, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Materialism, Success, Wealth, Happiness, Freedom, Deconstruction, American Nightmare, Roaring Twenties, Social Class, Corruption, Values, Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this research paper?
The paper aims to analyze the changing role of the American Dream as depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, "The Great Gatsby," specifically focusing on the tension between the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of material wealth.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the historical definition of the American Dream, the corruption of idealistic values, the impact of materialism on society, and the conflict between the past and the present.
What is the main research question?
The paper examines whether the pursuit of happiness and freedom has been supplanted by the pursuit of success and wealth, and whether this shift leads to a change in American society.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary analysis methodology, utilizing definitions from cultural studies and historical references to interpret characters and symbolism within "The Great Gatsby."
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the origins of the American Dream, analyzes individual character motivations in the novel, discusses the deconstruction of these dreams into a nightmare, and provides a critique of materialistic societal values.
Which keywords characterize this study?
The study is characterized by terms such as American Dream, The Great Gatsby, materialism, success, and the deconstruction of values.
How does the author define the "American Nightmare" in the context of the novel?
The "American Nightmare" is defined as the point where the idealistic promise of the American Dream is corrupted by shallow materialism, leading to the destruction of the individuals who pursue it.
Why does Jay Gatsby's character serve as the focal point for this analysis?
Gatsby is the primary focus because he represents the quintessential "self-made" man whose pursuit of an idealized past through material wealth ultimately reveals the fragility and inherent flaws of the American Dream.
- Citation du texte
- Hülya Atasoyi (Auteur), 2014, The Changing Role of the American Dream in Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313279
