The American Dream Is Inadequate

"The Great Gatsby" introduces a character, Jay Gatsby, who lives his life in the desperate pursuit of the American Dream. The Majority of the human race believes that the American Dream is about wealth, fame and or even love; or it could be all of them wrapped into one. For our advocate Jay Gatsby, the American Dream is his love interest, the dazzling Daisy Buchannan. This being one of the classic novels of the twentieth century, professors of literature often give students assignments on the American Dream highlighted in the novel. So in addition, when one studies "The Great Gatsby" it is imperative to ask does Gatsby achieve the American Dream.

It may have been surmised what Jay Gatsby was after at the beginning of the novel, but in all actuality he used his wealth and fame as a means of taking a step toward acquiring his dream. The big soiree's and the distinguished fanciness of the clothing he wears are only enticements for what he is really after, which is the love and affection of Daisy that he has been holding on to for a lustrum. Being that he cant seem to get Daisy out of this thoughts and heart he gravely analyzes the glimmer of the green light he knows is at the end of her pier. "But I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone--he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling." (Nick, Chapter 1)

Used as an example in this case Fitzgerald takes the dream of Gatsby and lets him live it for a short while. Gatsby experiences his dream through the help of Nick Carraway (Neighbor, and Daisy's Cousin). Having known that Nick was Daisy's cousin. Once planned to a tee Gatsby finally gets his time with Daisy. Showing her that he not once stopped loving her even when the war called and he had to leave her behind. And even though Jay is certain that he and Daisy will be together forever there are too many obstacles standing in the way of the relationship, which include Daisy's child and husband and even possibly her obsession for money. Gatsby didn't see this though, he only focused on them being together. "[Gatsby] wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was." (Chapter 6, pg. 111-12)

For the past five years, Gatsby sees Daisy as the perfect woman, someone that Daisy could be, "no amount of fire or freshness can challenge what man will store up in his ghostly heart" (pg. 101). Gatsby is deluded that the woman he loves is not really who he wants her to be. Gatsby wants a better life and he thinks that he can do it if he puts his all into it, which is also a part of the American Dream. Nonetheless, Gatsby's