The American Dream Isn’t Dead – It’s Working As Intended.

One of the most popular discussions in class surrounds the “American Dream.” It is clear from Fitzgerald’s work that he viewed the American Dream of the 1920s as a deeply flawed concept – one that promotes greed, callousness, and violence…but what about before then? What about during the Civil War? The Industrial Revolution? Hell, even the “discovery” of America itself?

What even IS the American Dream? Many of us picture the quaint, white-picket-fence life of the 1950s (though hardly a paradise in its own right). Others picture a rags-to-riches story of various natures; sports, business, tech, and many many MANY more. While it is true that the American Dream is slightly different for everyone, there is an underlying goal of achievement each according to one’s skill and motivation. Our entire American society is built on the ideals of “work hard enough and be good enough and you’ll get ahead in life,” better known as a meritocracy (Merriam-Webster). The more merit you have, the higher on the ladder rungs of power and wealth you earn…in theory.

Throughout the entirety of our country’s history, though, there has been a theme of stepping on someone else to get to a higher position. Mass genocides of Indigenous peoples were repeatedly carried out in the name of expansion (“Genocide of Indigenous Peoples”). Violence was and is caused as a result of foreign interference with the main goal of gaining access to profitable resources (‘The US Doesn’t Meddle In Foreign Affairs’”). Our entire economy was and still is inextricably reliant on slave labor (ACLU). Beginning in the Industrial Revolution, workers began to make pennies in comparison to what their labor was really worth (Beck). In the real world, there will always be someone crushed beneath the foot of the wealthy’s success. The hyper-individualistic mindset these kinds of values breed results in this violent race to the top that is in direct opposition with basic human empathy. This is what the American Dream was built off. This is how it works. You are either born into it (like Tom. Nick, and Daisy), marry (which Myrtle probably intended in some form or fashion), cheat (Jordan), steal (Gatsby), or are so enamored by the veneer of success that you become complacent in your own exploitation (George). Those few who are lucky enough to rise through class ranks become propaganda for the lower class that “the system works!” and “anyone really CAN achieve the American Dream!” 

The American Dream was never a noble concept. It is working as intended.