The award winning novel “The Great Gatsby” was written by Francis Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. Up until this day, after all those years, it remains one of most read novels throughout the world. It brings out various themes, such as wealth of what is called ‘old money’ society, segregation into classes, and the American Dream and its uselessness. Great Gatsby is a young man who managed to achieve amazing wealth despite not having a high status background, but unfortunately for him, he is still rejected by those who were born into money. Thus, in Gatsby’s example, it appears that one’s desire to ‘obtain’ the American Dream and belonging with high society is not as one expected it to be because no matter how hard one tries, it is impossible to break society’s stereotypes.
Furthermore, Gatsby spends a major part of the novel trying to demonstrate that his achieved wealth proves his improved social status. All of these events happen in a small town in West Egg, where Gatsby builds his luxurious mansion. During World War I, he was a common soldier who could never hope to belong with high society. However, he fell in love with Daisy, a debutant who comes from an ‘old money’ family. They have been wealthy for “three generations”, descending from “Dukes of Buccleuch” (Fitzgerald 4-5). Gatsby became inspired and determined to become worthy of Daisy. Gatsby did everything in his power to fulfil the American Dream. Green colors covering Daisy’s house represent Gatsby’s desperate desire to rise above his station and be able to obtain love from Daisy. With all intents and purposes, he manages to do that because he gathers enough money to impress everyone, but in the end, it failed to earn him genuine respect from people he attempted to impress.
Gatsby reunited with Daisy but he did not win her love. He also did not gain sympathy or support from others surrounding him. Tom, who is Daisy’s rich husband, mocks at Gatsby’s achievements and suggests that he is a criminal because “these newly rich people are just big bootleggers” (Fitzgerald 115). When Gatsby dies in an accident, in an attempt to protect Daisy, only three people attend his funeral. This further comments and shows Gatsby’s failure to achieve the American Dream. This way, while he collected much money and was able to have and experience all the luxury, he remained unrecognized and unappreciated. No one even noticed his absence and only several people expressed their condolences and said goodbye to him. Therefore, despite all his attempts, Gatsby failed in achieving the American Dream or becoming actually equal with the higher class people he had hoped to belong with. This implies that if a person is not born into wealth from the beginning, they will not be able to climb the ladder of social respect regardless of how hard they try. They will never be free from their past lower standards class.
The Great Gatsby is an outstanding award winning classic and novel that acts as a symbolism of how the American Dream is an idealized, unachievable concept. Gatsby had to overcome numerous hardships when gaining wealth and entering high society, hoping he would impress and earn love from Daisy. However, in the end, Daisy chose to stay with her husband, who is an old money representative. After Gatsby’s death, only several people visited his funeral. Thus, despite his temporary success, Gatsby failed in accepting and remained a low social class member he was born into. Through this, the novel provides American Dream criticisms, also concludes that such romanticized desires cannot be fulfilled in real life per say.
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