But, he knew achieving perfection was impossible, yet he believed trying to achieve moral perfection is what the true American Dream is all about. Gatsby says, “…I carry a little business on the side…you might pick up a nice bit of money. It happens to be a rather confidential sort of thing.” (Fitzgerald, 83) This passage indicates how Gatsby does not earn his money the proper way. His “side-business” refers to his unknown occupation of bootlegging. The reason for Gatsby to participate in this business was to earn a nice amount of cash quickly to purchase glamorous riches, which was all done to attract the attention of Daisy.
It is basically a win for the U.S because we take advantage of people, by promoting investments we know thecountry will never be able to pay back; because of the interest and the amount of the loan.It is amazing how a group of individuals can make so much influence and cheat countries around the globe, and funnel money from the world bank in order to do so. It sadden me how they can damage a country, and how they are taking peoples dignity and culture as well as their lands. This clearly shows how economic growth and development doesn’t benefit everyone in a country, for example the indigenous tribes that were being forced of their land for oil.It seems that governments, big business and the banks will stop at nothing to get what they want. They get away with it because we all live in a state of ignorance. I wonder when we will say enough and demand that these institutions conduct their business with honesty, integrity and complete transparency.It’s no wonder that these countries hate the United States so passionately.
As time progresses, we notice that monetary value has become a main concept in American societies. But should money be the center of our lives? Americans’ admiration for wealth has locked them in a closet of luxury and, as a result, blinded them from their morals and other values in life. In his book, Money and Class in America, Lewis Lapham states that Americans are driven by money and envision it as “the currency of the soul.” Unfortunately, we Americans do validate Lapham's statement by allowing our money to show our success and happiness, therefore granting the rights to show out ignorance. Because of our love for monetary means, Americans tend to flaunt their wealth to quite an extreme, which further proves that we have been “deflected by the pursuit of money,” according to
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
The American Dream Ruined The American dream was originally supposed to be prosperity, success, having a family, and being able to provide for that family without worry. Money was acquired through hard work and honesty, but The Great Gatsby presents an entirely different perspective on this dream. One example from the book is the way Gatsby gets his money--through bootlegging. He steped completely out of the guidelines of the American Dream. The American Dream was not meant to be corrupt, but during the 1920s, people like Gatsby used organized crime and other immorally wrong ways to gain their wealth.
After reading and getting a sense or idea of what wilding is, things made more sense. I do believe that the idea of wilding can make people go crazy or obsess about their greed and the only thing stopping us all from wilding is not understanding what wilding is. I also believe that people would rather take shortcuts to being wealthy other than working hard and earning it. Like what Derber said, “Many signs point to a corruption of the American Dream in out time. Most Americans do not become killers to make it up the ladder or to hold on to what hey have, but the traditional restraints on naked self-aggrandizement seem weaker-and the insatiability greater” (Derber, p. 14).
In this passage Lewis Lapham attempts to explain how Americans are driven by the idea of wealth and the pleasure that can be purchased thusly. He perfectly defines the essence of the American dream and how it coincides with the notion of American morality. To be blunt, the essence of the human nature is defined and driven by greed. It is our single prepossessing feature; this avarice serves as our salvation and our ultimate damnation. J. P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie demonstrate the human urges to want.
Robert H. Frank, author of “Income Inequality: Too Big to Ignore”, supports Herbert’s beliefs. He points out the realities of the inequalities throughout America. Agreeing with Herbert, he thinks that all the income growth has been focused on the wealthy and thus leaving
Americans today have much concern about the concept of outsourcing. Ron Hira and Anil Hira in there book Outsourcing America, pose the question “Who is right and why is there difference in opinion whether this is good for America?” Critics continue to argue that outsourcing has a negative impact on American jobs, the economy, national security and pose that should this be allowed to continue, a prosperous future for all Americans is dim. However, it is also profitable for all to view their complaints as objectively as possible because they would never mention the vast benefits that come with outsourcing, especially here in America. Yes, the subject does bring a lot of insecurity and confrontation, but there are those who see it differently. While outsourcing has negative and positive implications, in the long run the future for American will lean towards the positive side of the scale.
Gatsby himself became corrupt when his goals were turned to Daisy. “Her voice is full of money”(120). This shows that his goal is centered around money, not love. “That huge place over there?… I love it”(90). In this quote when Gatsby asks “Do you like it” its almost like he asking “You like it right, its big enough?”, which shows that he thinks that all Daisy wants is money, so her goals are corrupted.