The Great , a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, deals with the difficulty of
attaining the American dream. The American dream is different for every
individual, but Jay Gatsby, the main character of the novel, believes the
American dream is eternal ha iness through love. Gatsby thinks the only way for
him to reach the American dream is to harness his old dreams of the past with
Daisy. Gatsby exploits wealth and power to reach this goal. The novel uses love,
an unusual narrator, and death to reveal th downfall of individuals who attempt
to reach the unobtainable goals of the American dream. Fitzgerald employs love
to reveal the downfall of individuals who attempt to obtain the imaginary goals
of the American dream. The love falls between Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby concludes
that he will reach his goals of the American dream by being happy w h Daisy
again. Fitzgerald writes, “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be
just across the bay.” (79) Gatsby uses his wealth to move himself closer to
the American dream. Gatsby has based his whole life on the hope of again being
with Daisy. Fit erald further implies this idea when he writes, “I think he
half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night, but she never
did. Then he began asking people casually if they knew her, and I was the first
one he found.” (80) Gatsby continu to throw these gigantic parties because
he wants Daisy back. Gatsbys goals of finding Daisy have started to control
his whole life. The total power of Gatsbys obsession is understood when one
of Gatsbys servants says, “Gatsby has read a Chicago pape for years just
on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisys name.” (80) Gatsby throws
parties, reads newspapers, and buys a home because of his potent love for Daisy.
Gatsby configures all his time in pursuit of goals based around the American
dream. Nick Carraway, the unusual narrator, is utilized by Fitzgerald to help
Gatsby find his American dream. Nick is also used to show Gatsby the absurdity
of his unobtainable dream. Nick continually tries to make Gatsby understand the
foolishness of his Ame can dream; however, Gatsby always responds to Nicks
position by saying, “Old sport…” Gatsby has tremendous confidence
that the pursuit of his American dream is upright and important. Nick joins in
the battle to bring Gatsby closer to his American dream “He wants to
know…if youll invite Daisy to your house some afternoon and then let him
come over” (80). Nick arranges for Daisy to come over for tea so Gatsby can
pop over and meet Daisy again. Nick goes along with the plan because he wants to
help Gats realize how insane his illusionary goals are. Nick is certain that
this endless pursuit of an unattainable dream will eventually lead to Gatsbys
downfall. The downfall of Gatsby eventually catches up with him when it leads to
his death. Gatsbys death results from the long quest of his American dream,
Daisy. Nicks quest leads him to say that he was responsible for killing
Myrtle Wilson, “Was Daisy drivi ? Yes…but of course Ill say I
was.” (144) This will inevitably lead to Gatsbys death. Wilson,
Myrtles wife, seeks revenge on Myrtles killer by shooting Gatsby. Gatsby
ends up paying the ultimate price for his dream of finally being with Daisy.
Gatsb s inevitable and tragic downfall holds true. Gatsby dedicated his life to
his dream and the second his dream was almost reality the undeniable downfall
began, “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have
seemed so close that he cou hardly fail to grasp it. Gatsbys dream appeared
to be within his boundaries, but Gatsby ended up dying for the dream before he
knew what he had. Gatsby lived a short life trying to attain one thing, The
American Dream. That is what he really wanted in life. Gatsby lived his life for
Daisy, He would have done anything for her. She was the world to him, and his
life was not complete without her. e love for Daisy, the narrator who seems to
know everything, and the unexpected death of Gatsby, are used in the search of
the American Dream.
