preview

The American Dream In The Great Gatsby Analysis

Decent Essays

Nick Morgan
Ms Wei
L&C 2 B5
17/11/17

The American Dream
In this novel The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he uses many unique symbols to further the idea of the quintessential American Dream in the three symbolize the Green Light, The Valley of Ashes, and the color yellow. The American Dream, the theme of the United States, is described by Google as “A set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work.”
The first example of his furthering is the Green Light. He does this through Gatsby’s quest for Daisy. One of the aspects of the American Dream is social mobility. Gatsby tries to do this by getting back together with his ex-Daisy Buchanan. In Chapter 5, Gatsby says ” ‘If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay,’ said Gatsby. ‘You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.’ Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever.” (Fitzgerald 121-122) This quote is the first time that Gatsby notices that he will probably never be with Daisy. The green light had always represented Gatsby’s Dream of being with Daisy. It had a “colossal significance” in Gatsby’s life, but this is the first time that Gatsby notices that it “vanished forever”. This is the first time that Gatsby notices that

Get Access