From James Gatz To Jay Gatsby: The American Dream Come True.

From James Gatz to Jay Gatsby: The American Dream come true.

In my view Scott Fizgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" offers a distinct insight into the much preserved idea of the American Dream. Set in the raging era of 20s Jazz Age, the author brings forward the character of Gatsby and it is through his actions and struggle that the writer's opinion is to be traced. Yet it is clear that Fitzgerald, remarkably an author of the Lost Generation, unmistakably suggests that the American Dream itself has been distorted by the very ones who chased it. As a reader I have found that Gatsby's actions present the process of deviating from the potential to create oneself anew through diligence and persistence. Instead it is his sinking into self-destruction and demoralization that can be observed. And hence questions arise: What is that American Dream? To my mind the answer is hidden behind Gatsby's conversion from James Gatz to James Gatsby - it is simply the belief in the ability to converse your life to better in any area. Why is it chased with such fierceness? And yet again, the response is laid out - because it is a true a dream, a mirage of such inexplicable beauty that appeals strongly to idealists such as the main character. And finally: Why does it lead people astray? Presumably, for two reasons, both experienced by Gatsby. The first is that in order to achieve it you must frequently wander off the beaten track in your methods (lies, immorality). The second derives from the first - upon achieving it one is frequently so morally distorted that the dream is identified incorrectly - wealth, prosperity, glamour damage your inner core and bring upon a sense of confusion and disappointment.

To begin with Gatsby's character is indicated by Fitzgerald to be great - just as the idea of the American dream itself. Yet one appears to be a mirror reflection of the other, as it is remarkable that Gatsby is driven by the same hope that sustained those who, throughout the ages, believed significant wealth and independence may be achieved regardless of one's social and economic background. Gatsby's incessant will to revive an idealistic vision of his life is visible in all its aspects. As far as his own background is concerned, he is determined to obliterate his origin not only by mingling with his own name, but also by referring most ambiguously to the source of his wealth. is tireless will bring Daisy's love to its pre-Tom state, his continuous struggle to rise himself from the poor, uneducated background he was born into, his perpetual crave to fight his way into the elite East Egg class by "adjusting the truth" about his education, social and economic state. To that extend Gatsby himself represents that inner strive of the first American settlers and shares with them the need to bring about a better world, to convert scarcity into wealth, infidelity into honest love, social divisions into gateways.

Delving deeper into Gatsby's psyche, we must bear in mind that Nick, "a careful driver", represents a slightly biased picture of Gatsby. Frequently, when to Nick's mind some actions are pointless, Gatsby still sees sense in them - as when he continues to watch over Daisy's house after Myrtle deathly accident, even if Nick comments "It's watching over nothing". Gatsby's lavishly thrown parties which he barely attends are just a way to impress Daisy and Egg-elite class people. Gatsby's lies regarding his education (he attended Oxford merely for a couple of months) and mysteriousness about his wealth's source are again simply "adjustments" to fit into the world he admired. All of these personal image enhancements are valid proof of Gatsby's idealistic approach and his will for the American Dream to come true for him. Yet, following authors cynical assessment of those times, one recognizes that the Jazz Rage 20s are hardly keeping that dream alive. Characters in the novel are materialistic, perpetually unfaithful and hedonistic in their pursuit of pleasure. Even though Gatsby chases the dream, he is not able to jump class divisions and pays with his life for loving Daisy, as Tom's - most intentionally - reports to Wilson he was the one driving the car that hit Myrtle.

However, one can trace a more delicate trail of the American Dream in the novel. That is the constantly appearing metaphor of time, and how the future and past somehow elude us. We run towards the future with our arms outstretched but we are welcomed by the arms of the past, as if what we chased is long before gone and unrecoverable (last passage of the book).Interestingly, that is how the idea of American Dream confounds those who believe in it, wishing it was true, while it was carved by settlers long ago and proved to be empty search for riches. Moreover it is creating a delusion that one is able to become whoever he wishes. Remarkably, such a dreamer cherishes this vision up to a point he is not able to give it up - and would go as far as blankly lying and truth denial to make his dreams come true.

The novel undermines the reality of American Dream in Gatsby, who struggles to sustain it in a world of moral and social decline. Readers rest with the great Dream and the great Gatsby, with the second's incessant fight for what's long gone, and are left to dwell upon their shared death.