In
The Great Gatsby, The reader can make
several connections from this text to other texts, the world, or to oneself.
One of the major connections to the world was the hunger for the American
dream. This idea of the American dream dates back to the United States
Declaration of Independence. All citizens are "endowed
by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights… Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness". The idea that anyone can achieve their dreams and
goals and that ones power is in ones own hands. Nick Callaway, the main
character and narrator of the novel, is an example of the craving for the American
dream. He moves away from home to New York to learn the bond business and
achieve success on his own. Wanting to make a name for himself, he chose a
prosperous city, giving him hope to succeed. His proof of the American dream is
Mr. Gatsby but, even though he is thriving in his career and is quite wealthy,
he is not happy. Without Daisy, he will not be complete. He loves her dearly
but cannot be with her because of her marriage to Tom. Although hard work can
make Gatsby rich, he is not content without the love of his life. Nick craves
the dream, like several people that travel to the U.S. to accomplish their
goals. The United States is famous for the notion of the American dream, which
is also connected to this novel.
I like that you recognized Great Gatsby's connection with the american dream. I too feel that this ideal plays directly into the theme of the novel. Nick tries to believe in this dream like Gatsby, but ultimately doesn't, and returns to his sense of reality, rooting from his loyalty to the midwest and his birthplace. In the end this loyalty and avoidance of Gatsby's illusion, while tantalizing, leaves him alive, which is more than Gatsby is able to say. Fitzgerald seems in a sense to be condemning the American dream and how it corrupts people; Daisy, Tom, Myrtle, George, and Gatsby all end up either dead or so morally skewed that they might be better off as the former, because they refused to stop their pursuit of what they wanted in life, whereas Nick avoids destruction through his self reservation and disbelief in the dream that ultimately save his life.
ReplyDeleteI admire the way you connected the American dream present throughout The Great Gatsby to the United States Declaration of Independence. This document truly was the beginning for all those seeking happiness in a free, flourishing country. Also, as you mentioned, the American dream still thrives on as immigrants continue to move from foreign countries to fulfill their "American" dream, to create a better life for themselves and/or their family. I appreciated your inclusion of Nick moving to New York in search of a more prosperous life. Just like Nick, people from all over the United States still move to New York "wanting to make a name for [themselves]." Your text connection is comprehensible in that you made it clear to the reader that upon Nick's search for the American dream, he finds Gatsby, who he believes to fulfill this dream. Only later does he find out, after Gatsby's death, that the American dream never entirely existed within Gatsby, which was exposed by an absence of love.
ReplyDeleteFitzgerald connections to such a basic American concept as the American dream is in my opinion one of the reasons that this book is so beloved among Americans. Nick's journey is probably one that a large amount of Americans (or their relatives) had experienced during the time of the books publishing. The timeless story of a young adults journey to a new and fascinating world, en route to make their dreams come true. The fact that Fitzgerald exposed both the lightness and darkness on the journey to success is what I believe to be the internal "pull" that causes many to love this book.
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