GATSBY FINAL ESSAY
Write a two-page essay on what YOU consider to be the book’s most important theme. Explore the reasons the topic would have resonated with readers when the book was first published. Is the topic still relevant today? If so, why? If not, why not?
The American Dream
In an era of new technology, new opportunity, and artistic expansion, does Fitzgerald’s novel comment on American morality and idealism? Is The Great Gatsby a satire or critique of American life? If not, why not?
By: John Schaible
THE NON-EXISTANT AMERICAN DREAM
I believe the novel The Great Gatsby written by Scott Fitzgerald best symbolizes how the American dream is unachievable. We are first introduced with our narrator Nick who moves to West Egg which is the less wealthy side of the two eggs. Our next character to be introduced is Gatsby. He is known for his wealth and achievement of the American dream. But as readers we see that there is something missing. Daisy also known as Nick’s cousin and the wife of Tom are residents of West Egg.
Throughout the novel Nick always sees Gatsby when he walks out at nights to look at the shining bright light. The light is produced from Daisy’s house and shines bright through the night’s fog. Fitzgerald tells us ““Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning-- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”(186) In this passage it goes to show us that just because it looks like Gatsby has achieved everything in his life he is still striving to get Daisy. If the American Dream was already existent in Gatsby’s life then he wouldn’t be striving to get anything. This quote also goes to show how Gatsby still has the feelings he had for Daisy since high school. The light signifies the undying love that Gatsby has in his heart.
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