American Dream

American Dream

  • Submitted By: 4sholla
  • Date Submitted: 04/07/2013 7:24 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1340
  • Page: 6
  • Views: 243

American Dream
James Truslow Adam, a historic writer once said that, “The American dream is that Dream of a land which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.” The idea that all people have the potential to live happy successful lives and can succeed through hard work is essentially what the American Dream is all about. Nowadays many individuals misinterpret that dream for materialistic possessions rather than the true meaning; however, some writers in the 1920's captured the true essence of what the American Dream is believed to be. Robert Imbelli, Bill Gifford, A.E Elmore, all argue how determination can lead to the achievement of the American Dream. This is expressed by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, John Krakaure, Into the Wild, Gwendolyn Brooks in Kitchenette Building, and Advertisement for the Waldorf-Astoria, by Langston Hughes when the narrator or protagonist achieved the dream by living to the fullest without giving up on their hopes and dreams.
The book, “The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates how Gatsby achieved the American Dream through his single-minded quest for Daisy. All Gatsby wants is to turn back time and have a second chance with Daisy because he wants to re-create the lasting feelings he has for her. Jay Gatsby desires to relive the moment when he thought that Daisy and he had a future together because, “He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God. So he waited, listening for a moment longer to the tuning-fork that had been struck upon a star. Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete." (pg. 117) Gatsby looks back on this memory as an indication of how he wants things to go back to the way they use to be with Daisy, because that was the night he truly fell in...

Similar Essays