One of the first novels that show up when looking up the American Dream is The Great Gatsby. Jay Gatsby’s dramatic rags-to-riches story has caught the eye of many. What was supposed to be known as a success story of a man achieving the American Dream because of his ability to gain a massive amount of fortune turned into a tragic death. This goes to show what everyone wants to see about the American Dream, the story to his success, and the actual reality of trying to achieve it, failing in the end.
Below is a picture, or link to view, what I did for the project and final presentation for what represents my 21st century Great Gatsby. A pic collage of the expectations and reality of the American Dream. I used what we learned about keyterms to show my model!
Expectations
When someone thinks of the American Dream, they think of keyterms like opportunity, equal, success, freedom, etc. Even while everyone’s American Dream looks different, there is a mutual idea of having money and being able to provide. Some people’s idea of the American Dream looks like owning their own car, living in a suburban home, or being able to study and go to school without worries. The freedom to achieve what your heart desires like Jay Gatsby.
Reality
There is another side to the American Dream that is coming more into light as seen media. Now it is “unattainable”, “inequality”, “the working class”, and “debt”. The American Dream is working to afford basic human needs for minimum wage at places no one wants to work at, like Mcdonalds or Taco Bell. To get a better job, people are told to go to college. For someone to go to college to be able to achieve the Dream, they have to study and graduate with massive piles of debt unless they are rich. It is also participating in protests to receive basic human rights and when those are not met, the public is angry and goes on strike. But that is now considered “No one wants to work.” There is no way to avoid this.
This American Dream is the reality of what you should expect. If you are part of any other classes besides the upper and upper-middle classes, this is the reality. This is my interpretation of the 21st-century Great Gatsby.
Comments by Taryn Joe