In my view Scott Fizgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" offers a distinct insight into the much preserved idea of the American Dream. Set in the raging era of 20s Jazz Age, the author brings forward the character of Gatsby and it is through his actions and struggle that the writer's opinion is to be traced. Yet it is clear that Fitzgerald, remarkably an author of the Lost Generation, unmistakably suggests that the American Dream itself has been distorted by the very ones who chased it. As a reader I have found that Gatsby's actions present the process of deviating from the potential to create oneself anew through diligence and persistence. Instead it is his sinking into self-destruction and demoralization that can be observed. It even seems that Gatsby somehow initiated the whole process that brought him to death. There is a suiting passage in the book as Nick says "they drove on toward death through the cooling twilight." He buried his old self, James Gatz, and chose to reenter West-Egg world as Jay Gatsby.
To begin with Gatsby's character is indicated by Fitzgerald to be great - just as the idea of the American dream itself. Yet one appears to be a mirror reflection of the other, as it is remarkable that Gatsby is driven by the same hope that sustained those who, throughout the ages, believed significant wealth and independence may be achieved regardless of one's social and economic background. Gatsby's incessant will to revive an idealistic vision of his life is visible in all its aspects. As far as his own background is concerned, he is determined to obliterate his origin not only by mingling with his own name, but also by referring most ambiguously to the source of his wealth. Looking into another aspect, he presents a tireless will to bring Daisy's love to its pre-Tom state and nurtures the vision of having her as his wife - the possibility of which he was deprived in the past. The magnitude of his continuous struggle to raise himself from the poor, uneducated background he was born into suggest not much else. Since he perpetually craved to fight his way into the elite East Egg class he found "adjusting the truth" about his education, social and economic state necessary means worthy of his goal. To that extend Gatsby himself represents that inner strive of the first American settlers and shares with them the need to bring about a better world, to convert scarcity into wealth, infidelity into honest love, social divisions into gateways.
Delving deeper into Gatsby's psyche, we must bear in mind that the narrator Nick, "a careful driver" considered rather rational, represents a slightly biased picture of Gatsby. Frequently, when to Nick's mind some actions are pointless, Gatsby still sees sense in them – as when he continues to watch over Daisy's house after Myrtle deathly accident, although Nick comments "It's watching over nothing". For the reason mentioned I consider Gatsby's irrationality speaks for him in the argument of whether he followed the American Dream. His emotionality and occasional unreason give away the soul of an idealist. Gatsby's lavishly thrown parties (which he barely attends) are just a way to impress Daisy and Egg-elite class people. However, he is barely involved in the revelry existence of his frequent visitors, as he is intellectually superior to them and senses his dream is much else that guzzling, substance abuse and local gossip. Gatsby's lies regarding his education (he attended Oxford merely for a couple of months) and mysteriousness about his wealth's source are again simply "adjustments" to fit into the world he admired. All of these personal image enhancements are valid proof of Gatsby's idealistic approach and his will for the American Dream to come true for him.
What is more following author's cynical assessment of those times, one recognizes that not only Gatsby, but the Jazz Rage 20s as an era signalizes the demise of the American dream. It wouldn't be mistaken to suppose that Fitzgerald gained some first-hand experience of the Egg-like class while he socialized with the elite of the Parisian artists. Along with his wife Zelda they belonged to the niche environment of many other acknowledged "lost-generationists" such as Hemingway, Golding Picasso, Gertrude Stein or Dali, who were used to living a life of heavily substance-induced parties. Fitzgerald himself ended up with an alcohol addiction having followed the lead of the raging 20s. Perhaps these observation resulted in novel's characters being materialistic, perpetually unfaithful and hedonistic in their pursuit of pleasure. Having his experiences in mind Fitzgerald brought to life Gatsby's character, who chases the dream, but is eventually disappointed with the surrounding reality. Eventually he turns out unable to jump class divisions and pays with his life for loving Daisy, as Tom's – most intentionally - reports to Wilson he was the one driving the car that hit Myrtle. Basing on insightful analysis I think Fitzgerald gave away a cynical attitude to his times and doubts, through Gatsby's deeds, that the dream come true is what it was idealistically supposed to be.
Remarkably, one can trace a more delicate trail of the American Dream in the novel. That is the constantly appearing metaphor of time, and how the future and past somehow elude us. We run towards the future with our arms outstretched but we are welcomed by the arms of the past, as if what we chased is long before gone and unrecoverable (last passage of the book).Interestingly, that is how the idea of American Dream confounds those who believe in it, wishing it was true, while it was carved by settlers long ago and proved to be empty search for riches. Moreover it is creating a delusion that one is able to become whoever he wishes. Remarkably, such a dreamer cherishes this vision up to a point he is not able to give it up – and would go as far as blankly lying and denial to make his dreams come true.
However, there are without question some indications of American Dream come true, at least partially. Gatsby might be looked down upon by his local elite to some extent, mainly due to his doubtful educational history and the fact his wasn't born into nobility. Yet it is indisputable that he has been able to achieve substantial wealth and "buy into" that class. Unfortunately, that does not advance us much further, as there are numerous characters giving proof the dream is almost impossible to achieve. Wilson represents blue-collar working class and – although certainly hard-working – struggles with much financial hardship. Nick is finally deciding upon leaving the East coast despite the luxurious treatment he often shared with the Buchanans. It underlines wealth and elite life does not relate to happiness, let alone ensure a favorable, tragedy-free future.
I believe that even Tom and Daisy are immersed in their own evil, which is of course mainly moral, as they have almost inconceivable riches at their disposal and hence would be expected rather to flourish that rotten on this assumingly desired background. Nick informs us very early of Tom's truculent attitude – for instance when he breaks his mistress's nose. Daisy herself isn't much of the angel she tried to appear in her white dresses. It was her who was reluctant for a long time to come clear and utter the "I never loved you" to Tom. By procrastinating any action she partially contributed to the scene in Plaza Suite, were she eventually sided with Tom. Her desire of true love softened when she heard of how Gatsby's achieved his riches.
To summarize, the novel undermines the reality of American Dream in the character of Gatsby, who struggles to sustain it in a world of moral and social decline. Readers rest with the great Dream and the great Gatsby, with the second's incessant fight for what's long gone, and are left to dwell upon their shared death. And hence questions arise: What is that American Dream? To my mind the answer is hidden behind Gatsby's conversion from James Gatz to James Gatsby – it is simply the belief in the ability to converse your life to better in any area. Why is it chased with such fierceness? And yet again, the response is laid out – because it is a true a dream, a mirage of such inexplicable beauty that appeals strongly to idealists such as the main character. And finally: Why does it lead people astray? Assumingly, for two reasons, both experienced by Gatsby. The first is that in order to achieve it you must frequently wander off the beaten track in your methods (lies, immorality). The second derives from the first – upon achieving it one is frequently so morally distorted that the dream is identified incorrectly – wealth, prosperity, glamour damage your inner core and bring upon a sense of confusion and disappointment.
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