1

Sebastian Castro

Mr. Horton

English 11B

07 February 2019

The American Dream

Jay Gatsby is a wealthy man but he wasn't always a wealthy man. In his youth he

belonged to a poor family but ran away and learned many things and did many things

including serve in WW1. He gained his money through shortcuts. He didnt work very

hard for his money. He sold alcohol at many drug stores behind the scenes. The

American Dream is dead. Gatsby is a perfect example of this.

The American Dream is defined as the belief that anyone, regardless of race,

class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America if they just work hard enough.

In the book it states that “‘I found out what your ‘drug stores’ were.’ He turned to us and

spoke rapidly. ‘He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here and

in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter.’” (Fitzgerald 143). This shows that

Gatsby hardly had to work for his wealth. His money came from a scheme.

When Gatsby was young he was of a poor family. He left his family in search of

more than the life he was living. He had changed his name from James Gatz to Jay

Gatsby. He ended up with the man that was also his mentor, this man was Dan Cody.

Gatsby helped on his yacht. This is where he picked up “old sport.” He was hoping to

inherit Mr. Cody’s money but didn't. “And it was from Cody that he inherited money—a
 2

legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars. He didn’t get it. He never understood the legal

device that was used against him but what remained of the millions went intact to Ella

Kaye.” (Fitzgerald 108). Gatsby was without money so he went to NY and started the

scheme working with Wolfsheim.

Gatsby has everything he could ever want except for one thing, Daisy. He has big

parties, a mansion, he is wealthy, a personal pianist that can play anything, he has

everything. But he moved to West Egg just so he could be somewhat close to Daisy. To

Gatsby, Daisy is the ultimate status symbol. “‘Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy

would be just across the bay.’” (Fitzgerald 85). This shows that Gatsby has made every

decision in West Egg because of daisy. He even admits that he throws all the parties and

designs them for her and based off what she would like.

Jay Gatsby is a prime reason why the American Dream is dead. He used shortcuts

to get to where he was in the book. Like selling alcohol over the counter at drug stores.

He also tried to get Nick Carraway in it but he declined his offer. “‘I thought you didn’t, if

you’ll pardon my—you see, I carry on a little business on the side, a sort of sideline, you

understand.’ ‘Well, this would interest you. It wouldn’t take up much of your time and

you might pick up a nice bit of money.’” (Fitzgerald 88). He calls the shortcut a “sideline

deal” he also says its confidential. This is only one scheme we know about in the book

we don't know if he is running any others with Wolfsheim.

Jay Gatsby was a prime example of why the American Dream was dead. He does

not fit the description of the American Dream, he cheated to get to where he was in the

book and he died with all the possessions he could have ever wanted. But he was
 3

missing one thing that he thought he was so close to acquiring but it was already behind

him, and that thing, that person was Daisy.