When you first read The Great Gatsby, it’s easy to root for Gatsby. He’s charming, determined, and willing to do anything for love. But the sad truth is, Gatsby’s dream was never really possible—not because he didn’t work hard enough, but because the dream itself was broken from the beginning.
Gatsby believes he can recreate the past and build a perfect future with Daisy. He thinks that by becoming rich and throwing the most extravagant parties, he can win her back and erase everything that’s happened. But Daisy isn’t the same girl he fell in love with years ago, and the world Gatsby wants to live in doesn’t really exist.
Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald shows us that the American Dream—this idea that anyone can achieve happiness through hard work and ambition—is flawed. Gatsby builds his fortune through shady deals, not honest work, and still finds himself on the outside looking in. No amount of money can buy him real acceptance or true love.
In a way, Gatsby’s downfall reminds us that chasing an illusion will always leave us disappointed. It’s not just about money or success; it’s about what happens when we tie our happiness to something—or someone—that can’t actually deliver it.
Gatsby’s dream feels so close, just out of reach. That’s what makes his story so heartbreaking. And maybe that’s why The Great Gatsby still hits so hard today. We all have dreams we chase, but sometimes the hardest lesson is realizing that not every dream is meant to come true—and that’s okay.
