The American dream can mean different things to different people. Throughout the generations the most common interpretation of this dream is one of a persons ability to leave his troubles behind and start fresh. In the book The Great Gatsby the author, F. Scott Fitsgerald, uses the characters to express his view of the American dream. Nick Caraway, the narrator of the book, has a dream of working hard and making his own way.
He dose not want any charity. Nick’s family is very successful in the wholesale hardware business. They have been in the business for generations. Nick states “My family has been prominent well-to-do people… for generations” (7).
Nick dose not wish to follow the path of easy wealth, the path where everything will be handed to him. Nick says “I decided to go east and learn the bond business” (7).
Nick has chosen his own path to success and wealth. He wants to be independent from his family and everyone else. Nick has moved away to start from scratch and go his own way. George Wilson wants to leave all his troubles behind and start fresh.
George found out his wife was cheating on him. George does not know what else to do but to leave town. George states, “I’ve been here too long. I want to get away.
My wife and I want to go west” (130).
George was extremely upset by the news of adultery. So much so he became physically ill. His life was not working out so he wanted to begin a new one. He decides to uproot and leave. Jay Gatsby, the main character, dreams of having a picture perfect life with Daisy.
The Essay on Family Business
According to a study of European Commission, family business, which covers in different sectors with different sizes, makes up more than 60 percent of all European companies. In recent years, the number of family business is glooming all over the world. However, not many of them are successful in transferring into the third generation. There are many reasons leading to this situation. One of them ...
Gatsby is in a heated argument with Tom when he declares “your wife doesn’t love you… She’s never loved you. She loves me” (137).
Gatsby longs for a life where he is the only man Daisy ever loved. Gatsby wants this perfect life so bad he is blind to the reality around him. These are Fitsgerald’s views of the American dream.
He has a dream of the ability to start fresh and be independent from everyone; a dream of a life free from troubles. All thought, one must remember the American dream goes beyond F. Scott Fitsgerald. The American dream has lasted through the generations; back to a time when the first settlers came to the Americas. It is these settlers who originated the American dream and all it has influenced.
