The Non- Realistic American Dream in The Great Gatsby Essay

In the novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby, the characters truly believe that they can have everything they ever dream for and have a life that others will envy. Myrtle and Gatsby both seem to have the same agenda for their lives; desperately seeking wealth, social status, beatitude, and love. Myrtle Wilson and Jay Gatsby are both driven to reach their goals but do not realize that the American Dream is just an illusion. The dream of finding fortune, fame and true love is something that almost all Americans strive for. Fitzgerald classic, The Great Gatsby, is no exception. Myrtle Wilson is in her â€Å"mid thirties and faintly stout but she carries her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can (25). She is representation of†¦show more content†¦Gatsby’s desire for Daisy controlled his life to the point that he did not even question the immorality of the dealings that he involved himself in to acquire wealth. Unlike many of the women in the Great Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson does not have many of the material items as the women in East and West Egg do. Myrtle represents the low and ignorant class of America who’s â€Å"voice is full on money† (120) and tries to break social barriers and pursue wealth by any means necessary. Desperately hanging on to Tom’s interest, Myrtle is grudged to see the good things she has in her life. Myrtle does not understand why she has had to â€Å"live (in) that garage for eleven years† (35) with her poor husband that she had â€Å"married because (she) thought he was a gentleman† (34) when she can easily play with Tom’s mind. She rather put up with Tom’s physical and emotional abuse because she feels that she deserves what Tom has to offer then be with George- her loving husband. Similar to Myrtle, Jay Gatsby strives to acquire wealth so that he may win back Daisy. Jay Gatsby was born into a poor family who had nothi ng to offer to Daisy. Despite being â€Å"dead broke,† (134) Gatsby worked his way up in society becoming a bootlegger and owning a few â€Å"side-street drug stores†¦ and (selling) alcohol over the counter† (133). Once at his peak in society and belonging to new money, Gatsby believes that he will win Daisy overShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Great Gatsby: The Past is Forever in the Present1133 Words   |  5 Pages Time remains a universal continuation of the past into the present and bears a strong hold on the future. The destruction of satisfaction in history withholds the contentment of the future with an impeding sense of unalterable guilt. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates â€Å"the past is forever in the present† through numerous literary and narrative techniques, suggesting that memories serve as crucial components in the development of individuals. 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