While The Great Gatsby embodies The American Dream and Spirit, does it really signify success in achieving it? As the story goes on, we learn more about Jay Gatsby’s success and how he worked hard to get to where he is, even if it was built on lies. But even at that point, he still had yet to achieve his overall goal of winning Daisy Buchanan back. Gatsby was successful in gaining social status and being able to throw extravagant parties, though which was a step in the right direction. By the end, Gatsby still failed to accomplish winning her back, and he died before he could ever try again.
In a way, his journey to getting her back was what embodied The American Dream. Through his corrupt methods, bootlegging, etc, and a focused mind, he made it possible to obtain his success and wealth. However, his success and wealth was only a sign of his failure of achieving The Dream, not a success story. In Gatsby’s point of view, winning Daisy back was his idea of The American Dream, but it never actually happened. This could possibly mean that while everyone would like to achieve The American Dream, it is not possible. Mostly due to unrealistic dreams and high expectations of achieving them. Gatsby was a good example of this because while he was almost there, he really was not. Even from the beginning, it never would have been possible for him. By the end, all that was left was corruption and death.
Comments by Taryn Joe