However Gatsby always wanted to be a rich man, it's just he became more motivated in acquiring his fortune for his love Daisy. Therefore his dream cannot be souly based on Daisy, as Daisy was only his motivation. Gatsby is introduced into the novel later, and is spoken and gossiped about earlier on in the novel, this makes him seem more of a mystery. As Gatsby is presented, he is reveal to be an innocent, hopeful young man who stakes everything on his dreams, not realizing that his dreams are unworthy of him. Gatsby invest Daisy with idealistic perfection that she cannot possibly attain in reality and pursues her with a passionate zeal that blinds him to her limitations.
Gatsby, however, did not realize that with the ending of the war, his prestige would end as well. Returning to America made him realize that he would have to do everything in his power to become wealthy to be worthy of Daisy’s love. Gatsby represents the American Dream in many ways and in order to accomplish his dream he knows exactly what he desires. The existence of social class in America is very important during this time period, no rich man would marry a poor woman and no poor man would wind up marrying a rich woman. Gatsby being well aware of this tries desperately to fake his status and buy his way into a high social class.Gatsby is held at arm’s length from the people that would put him into the finest part of New York, East Egg.
Gatsby says, “I can’t say anything in his house, old sport” (?). Gatsby does have money, but it isn’t the kind that allows him into Daisy’s world. Tom knows that his wealth gives him a lot of power and influence and this is what lures Daisy into marrying him. In describing Tom’s wealth Nick says,” His family was enormously wealthy- even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach” (6). This wealth and power makes him believe he should get whomever he chooses.
Some of the similarities between Tom and Gatsby is being wealthy, wanting Daisy as their own, and having hostile feelings towards each other. Both Gatsby and Tom strive to be successful financially. Gatsby and Tom find it important to have a high status in society. Tom went to Yale University and shows off with expensive sports cars. Gatsby shows his need for wealth when he quits his job as a janitor because of his humiliation and goes into organized crime.
Nick reflects that just as Gatsby’s dream of Daisy was corrupted by money and dishonesty, the American dream of happiness and individualism has disintegrated into the mere pursuit of wealth. Though Gatsby’s dedication to transform his dreams into reality is what makes him “great,” Nick reflects that the era of dreaming—both Gatsby’s dream and the American dream—is
Discuss the importance of the character BEN, in ‘death of a salesman.’ Death of a salesman is a play that talks about the American dream. Willy Loman is the main character, and he is chasing his dream throughout the play. Willy strives to be a successful salesman and have countless money, just like his older brother Ben whom he looks up to, even after he passed away he would visualize him. Ben has a specific line that he repeats throughout the play ‘’when I was twenty-one I walked out. And by god I was rich.’ Whenever Ben says that Willy gets motivated to work harder and he interprets Ben's good fortune as undeniable proof that his dreams of making it big are realistic.
Alaska, the African Jungle and the American West are touched upon often through this Two Act play as motifs. These places represent Willy Loman’s family members such as his father, brother and favourite son. Above all these three locations represent opportunities for wealth and a new life that he has missed that his family obtained. Alaska represents Willy’s father and the success he had in Alaska during the gold rush. Alaska is often referred to when Ben, Willy’s dead brother, is present during the play.
Lately, the American Dream has become about fame, the notorious “15 minutes of fame”[2] has brain-washed people to do anything to seize their opportunity to succeed and become a so called “celebrity”, whether it being in a magazine, a reality television show or even selling stories about their own families and friends. Like people now, Willy is searching for popularity, and also the perfect family and career. Basically, Willy’s problem is wanting too much. Although it could be argued that the American Dream is to blame, along with his ego, for the defeat and breakdown of him. At the time of Willy’s failure the American Dream was the idea of social success and popularity along with huge wealth and consumerist goods such as a nice car, a top branded fridge, a tape recorder, etc.
The Washington’s think it’s understandable to invite friends to stay for the summer, then, as August nears, kill them in a selfish act to protect themselves and their estate. The Family is so protective of their estate because they live on top of a Diamond, which will supply their family for many generations. The Washington’s administered a belief that they are superior over others because they are so rich and powerful. Their abundance of money leads them to hurt, and murder other innocent human beings only to protect themselves. Throughout the story, Fitzgerald shows the Washington’s as a money craved American
When he looks at the Satis House and Estella, he longs to be a wealthy upper class gentleman. When he realizes that he cannot read, he wants to learn how. Pip’s desire for self-improvement is the main source of the novel’s title and the main force behind the plot. Since Pip believes in the possibility of improvement in life, he has “great expectations” about his future. Pip's expectations takes three forms: moral, social and educational.