Alexa Golbus

Mrs. Weathersbee
AP Language
February 8, 2015

The Disintegration of the American Dream as Represented by the Characters in

The Great Gatsby
The American Dream that complete and utter satisfaction and fulfillment can be
achieved is false. The primary flaw with this dream is that it exists in a perfect world.
However, the harsh realities of this world stand in the way of such dreams. Life refuses to
make way for the dreams, leading to broken dreams and crushed hearts. The more
dissatisfied with life one becomes, the more elaborate, but at the same time out of reach
and unattainable, this dream becomes. This dream is originally created to either fill a void
in ones life or to give oneself hope during a desperate and dark time. However noble this
dream may appear, the means to achieve it are often much less noble. A noble dream,
though, cannot be achieved through immoral means.
Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Myrtle Wilson, three characters in The Great
Gatsby, best embody and represent the disintegration of the American Dream in the
1920s. They represent the failure of the American Dream in relation to men with
newfound wealth, wealthy women, and poor women. The varied circumstances in
America, for each social class, caused different outlooks and perceptions of the meaning
of the American Dream, in the 1920s (Changizi and Ghasemi 62). For some people it
promised wealth, for others increased social status, and for others a fulfilling relationship.
Gatsby, a wealthy man who came by his means through new money, desired to win the

devotion of Daisy Buchanan, by using his wealth as a stepping-stone. Daisy, a wealthy

woman, married to Tom Buchanan, had every tangible object she desired, yet had no
sense of fulfillment in her life. She was unsatisfied with her life and longed for
excitement and a true connection. Myrtle Wilson, a poor woman, hoped to achieve
upward social mobility and a more comfortable life through an affair with Tom
Buchanan, an upper class man.
The 1920s, or Roaring Twenties, was a time of new leisure activities,
urbanization, and the birth of many cultural institutions (Whipps). In this era, it was
believed that an individual had the inherent ability to achieve success in life regardless of
social status. In the simplest sense, the American dream could be achieved through hard
work. This hard work would lead to upward social mobility, the accumulation of wealth,
and realization of ones virtuous goals and dreams (Churchwell). However, many people
tried to take short cuts, in a sense, to achieve this dream. The materialism of the 1920s
contributed to the corruption and downfall of the American Dream, for many people.
They believed that material goods and selfish actions would lead to their happiness.
Gatsby, a secretive and lonely man with excessive wealth, inhabited West Egg. He
rose from an impoverished childhood and came across his fortune through illicit means.
He had hoped that by acquiring great wealth he would win over Daisy Buchanan, whom
he had fallen in love with while he was in the military. However, Daisy had broken her
promise to Gatsby, and while he was away had married Tom Buchanan, a man with a
large amount of family money. Gatsby had been devastated to learn that Daisy had not
waited for him, and had moved on with her life. He devoted himself to acquiring wealth
in order to entice Daisy to leave Tom to be with him. He hosted lavish parties in hopes

that Daisy would attend one.

At first glance, one would have believed that Gatsby was already living the
American Dream. It appeared that he had created a perfect life for himself, and achieved
the American Dream, rising from a childhood of poverty to extreme wealth, complete
with a mansion and elaborate parties. His lavish and opulent lifestyle was simply a
faade, and a means to accomplish his true American Dream. In reality, wealth was not
Gatsbys dream. It simply was a means to an end. Gatsby attempted to use his wealth as a
platform to achieve his dream. For Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy, albeit married
woman, was his American Dream (Changizi and Ghasemi 63).
Gatsby fantasized of winning over Daisy, running off with her, and completely
forgetting the previous four years of their lives. He wanted nothing less of Daisy than
that she should go to Tom and say: I never loved you. After she had obliterated four
years with that sentence they could decide upon the more practical measures to be taken,
(Fitzgerald 118). Gatsby believed in a fantasy world, in which his dream could exist,
since it could not exist in reality. Although Daisy already had a child, and an established
life with a husband, Gatsby believed that if he worked hard, and gained enough money,
he could fix everything just the way it was before, (Fitzgerald 118). Gatsby eventually
was successful in reconnecting with Daisy, and at first believed they could have a future
together. He wanted to return to a certain starting place, (Fitzgerald 118). He was
hopeful and had faith in the goodness of life. However, as events unfolded, Gatsby soon
realized that this would not be possible. As the novel progressed, he became jaded by
reality. In addition, Gatsby was disappointed by the fact that Daisy had not lived up to his

expectations. He had made her out to be a perfect being. However, Daisy tumbled short
of his dreams- not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his
illusion, (Fitzgerald 103). His dream began to become corroded and fade away. Gatsby
failed to recognize that though his dream seemed reachable at one point, the nature of it
was unreachable, as the past was unalterable. His dream must have seemed so close he
could hardly fail to grasp it. But what he did not know was that it was already behind
him, (Fitzgerald 193). Due to Daisys marriage and existing position in life, Gatsby
lacked the ability to alter their future and future events. Daisys previous decision to leave
Gatsby behind forever changed their future. When Gatsbys dream collapsed, he felt as
though he has nothing to live for and he lost all hope in humanity, in the future, and in the
world. His fate was ultimately solidified when he was killed. However, his death was not
the cause of his failed American Dream, it simply sealed his fate. His death is symbolic of
the death and disintegration of the American Dream.
Gatsbys dream and failure to achieve it is representative of the failed dreams of
other wealthy men with newfound money, during this era. Gatsby represents men defined
by material objects. Many believed that their wealth would provide them with an
unrestricted path to success (Whipps). For many men, their dream was to win over a
beautiful, wealthy woman and create a perfect life with her. Many of these men faced the
reality of broken dreams. Like Gatsby, many wealthy men believed that a womans
feelings could be bought, like material goods. Most of these men simply did not
understand that money could not buy a persons true love or devotion. Like Gatsby, they
were forced to realize that a relationship could not be purchased; it had to be earned
through kindness and selflessness.

Daisy Buchanan was a wealthy woman, from a well-to-do family. She had met
Gatsby during World War I and promised to wait for him to return home. However, she
broke this promise, and married Tom Buchanan. Her husband participated in affairs with
other women. From the beginning, Daisy and Toms marriage seemed destined to fail.
Tom attempted to purchase Daisys devotion by gifting her a necklace worth three
hundred fifty thousand dollars, prior to their wedding. From the start, their relationship
was based on material goods. She never loved [Tom], but was more in love with the
wealth that he held and represented (Fitzgerald 141). Daisy soon found little contentment
in her life filled with material goods. She lived a comfortable, yet boring life. Contrary to
Gatsbys beliefs, Daisy was not perfect. She was selfish and shallow. Daisy was caught
up in the materialism of the world.
At first glance, it would appear as though Daisy was living the dream life. She
had achieved her dreams in a material sense. She had excessive wealth, as did her
husband, and lived an extravagant lifestyle, with few worries. Though she had a husband,
she didnt have a strong relationship or bond with him, as was evident through his
numerous affairs. Their relationship was based on selfishness and material wealth. She
was bored with her life and desired to have more excitement (Changizi and Ghasemi 63).
Subconsciously she desired to have a true relationship with someone. She wanted to share
a deep bond with another person, as a strong bond between her and Tom did not exist.
For Daisy, the opportunity of having a relationship with Gatsby offered her an
escape from her monotonous life. She saw this affair as a chance to have a more fulfilling
existence and to form a strong connection with another person. However, in contrast to
Gatsbys dreams, she did not wish to create a life with Gatsby and leave Tom. She merely

desired to have an affair with Gatsby. Although Daisy was successful in forming a
relationship with Gatsby, the relationship was not long lasting. After a series of
unfortunate events, including Daisy killing Toms mistress, Daisy and Gatsbys
relationship came to an end. Although Daisy was content while she had a relationship
with Gatsby, the relationship was not long lasting and Daisy therefore was satisfied for
only a short period of time. A source of satisfaction or pleasure that is rooted in immoral
activity, an affair, is destined to fail. This relationship did not have the capability to
provide eternal satisfaction for Daisy. When Daisy refused to leave Tom for Gatsby, both
Daisy and Gatsby came to the understanding that their relationship would eventually end.
Gatsbys death solidified the failure of Daisys dream.
Upper class wealthy women in the 1920s lived extravagant lives, dominated by
material goods and objects. Many used marriage as a means to secure money and social
status. Instead of marrying for love, they often married for money and objects. However,
these women, like Daisy Buchanan, often found themselves bored and desiring a true
relationship. They realized that true bliss could only be achieved through relationships
rooted in love, as opposed to wealth. Some of these 1920s women engaged in affairs in
order to forge a connection, built from love. However, these relationships built upon
impure actions did not have the ability to be long lasting.
Myrtle Wilson was a poor lower class woman, who had an affair with Tom
Buchanan, in hopes of improving her life. She was married to George Wilson, a poor
man, and was not satisfied with her difficult, woeful life. On her wedding day, Myrtle
realized that she had made a mistake in marrying him. She did not truly love George and
was unsatisfied with their shallow relationship (Fitzgerald 39). She believed that an affair

would allow her to achieve her American Dream, an improved social status and increased
wealth. However, Tom didnt treat Myrtle well, and did not help her to realize her dream.
Instead, he selfishly treated her as an object, to provide himself with pleasure, at her
expense. Myrtle became a victim of the life she desired. Her affair initially allowed her to
believe that she had the ability to improve her life. However, in reality, she didnt have
the ability or power to improve her life or social status. She allowed her dreams to grow
into an elaborate fantasy. Myrtle did as Tom said, hoping that one day it would lead her to
her dreams. Tom was oppressive to her and treated her as an object instead of a person.
Her death signified and symbolized the fact that her life and opportunity to improve it,
wasnt in her control. The affair simply provided her with a false reality.
Myrtle Wilson represents the dreams of poor, lower class women, in the 1920s.
She, like other poor women, desired to improve her living conditions, and social status.
Although there was a surge in the employment of women in the 1920s, they were still
discriminated against in the workplace, made relatively low wages, and were relatively
powerless. The wages for women were hardly enough to live off of. In addition, social
pressures were placed on women to marry (Working and Voting). Poor women did not
have the inherent ability to achieve upward social mobility and improved living
conditions through hard work. Instead, they relied on alternate means, as is evident by
Myrtle, who relied on an affair as the means to reach her dreams (Changizi and Ghasemi
63). However, dreams cannot be achieved through a shortcut, but only through hard work
and determination.
Gatsby, Daisy, and Myrtle never achieved their dreams. By seeking to achieve
selfish dreams, these characters replaced noble dreams of a better, happier, fulfilling life,

with dreams based on greed, desire, and immoral actions. The materialism associated
with their dreams is a sign of moral decay (Changizi and Ghasemi 63). They mistakenly
believed that immoral actions and the accumulation of material wealth would lead to the
achievement of their American Dream. They all believed that inappropriate behavior,
namely affairs, would lead to their happiness (Changizi and Ghasemi 65). However, it is
not possible for a morally wrong action to create a state of pure satisfaction and
happiness. Peoples inherent sense of right and wrong cannot allow them to reconcile
these differences in their behavior.
Gatsby believed that if he gained enough wealth Daisy would fall for him. He was
caught up in the materialism of the 1920s (Changizi and Ghasemi 63). He had an affair
with Daisy, but still desired more. He was not simply satisfied with forming a
relationship; he wanted to completely steal her heart. He wanted to erase the past and
ultimately live in a life of sin. Daisy believed that an affair with Gatsby would provide
her with a relationship that would bring her happiness. However, she was caught between
two men. She ultimately was forced to make a decision that would remove her from her
fantasy. Myrtle Wilson believed that an affair would provide her with the means
necessary to improve her life. Ultimately, the richer and more powerful person in the
relationship had all the power, leaving Myrtle with no means to achieve her dreams. In
the end both Gatsby and Myrtle die, which is symbolic of the disintegration and death of
their dreams, and of the American Dream. Life may have encouraged or allowed them to
believe that their dream could be realized, but in the end, it was the harsh reality of life
that crushed their dreams.
The American Dream is unachievable as it is rooted in greed, selfishness, and

want. This dream is deeply rooted in materialism and the overwhelming want for more,
whether it is more money, more happiness, or a greater sense of fulfillment. Though the
dream of happiness, at first glance, may seem noble, the means to achieve this particular
dream typically is not. A person who dreams this dream will never be content, as it is
human nature to always desire more, bigger, and better things. It is human nature for a
person to never accept what is in front of him, but to instead reach for what is above him.
While this may appear to be noble, it causes people to resort to dire actions, with dire
consequences. This dream is dangerous, as it often causes more unhappiness and pain
than contentment and happiness.
Rather than concerning oneself with attaining a certain dream, people must reach
inside of themselves to find fulfillment, as opposed to relying on extrinsic factors,
specifically selfish actions, to achieve this sense of fulfillment. Rather than attempting to
attain this sense of fulfillment through affairs or materialistic viewpoints, people must
strengthen their existing relationships and forge a stronger bond based on noble actions,
mutual trust, and love. Material objects, short-lived pleasures, social status, and wealth
may, at the time, seem to create happiness, but in the end only lead to moral decay and
ultimately, failure. It is true relationships and selflessness that are the most likely to lead
to eternal fulfillment and satisfaction.
The green light, at the end of Daisys dock, is the most overwhelming symbol of
the American Dream. It continues to shine, just out of reach, even after it is understood
that the dream can never be achieved. The ideal of this dream continues to live on.
Though the American Dream will never be achieved, it will be eternally pursued.
Ultimately those who attempt to achieve the American Dream will become victims of this

same dream. There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired,
(Fitzgerald 86). There is no achieved group of people. There are only those that have not
come to the realization that they will never accomplish the American Dream or those that
have given up on the American Dream.
Works Cited
Changizi, Parisa, and Pravin Ghasemi. "Degeneration of American Dream in F. Scott
Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby." Education Research Journal 2.2 (2012): 62-65.
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2015.
Churchwell, Sarah. "The Great Gatsby and the American Dream." The Guardian. The
Guardian, 25 May 2012. Web. 26 Jan. 2015.
"Decline of Hero Jay Gatsby in F. Scott. Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby." Indian Journal of
Applied Research 3.8 (2013): 371-72. The Global Journals. Indian Journal of Applied
Research, 2013. Web. 28 Jan. 2015.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.
History.com Staff. "The Roaring Twenties." History.com. A&E Television Networks,
2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
Whipps, Heather. "Roaring Twenties." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 25 Aug. 2008.
Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
Working and VotingWomen in the 1920s. American History USA. American History
USA, 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2015.