Fitzgerald, in "The Great Gatsby," critiques the American Dream through Gatsby's pursuit of wealth, Daisy, and opulence. The novel exposes moral decay and the emptiness beneath the veneer of success.
In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald paints a nuanced commentary on the American Dream, those who chase it, and the consequences of relentless pursuit. Jay Gatsby embodies the dream's allure and disillusionment. His extravagant parties and opulent lifestyle symbolize the materialistic interpretation of success. The green light across the bay represents an unattainable goal, underscoring the elusive nature of the American Dream.
Gatsby's relentless pursuit of wealth and status is evident in his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan. His love becomes entangled with the idea of achieving the American Dream, and the consequences are tragic. The superficiality of the upper class is exposed through characters like Tom Buchanan, who embodies the careless and privileged elite. Fitzgerald critiques the moral decay and emptiness hidden beneath the façade of opulence.
Nick Carraway, the narrator, provides a reflective lens. His growing disillusionment with the extravagant lifestyle and hollow relationships underscores the emptiness of the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses Nick's outsider perspective to highlight the moral decay in society.
Quotations like "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past" encapsulate the futility of the American Dream. Fitzgerald suggests that the relentless pursuit of material success ultimately leads to disillusionment, moral decay, and a perpetual cycle of unfulfilled aspirations. Through vivid character portrayals and symbolic elements, Fitzgerald critiques the hollowness inherent in the American Dream, urging readers to question the values underpinning their pursuits.