The Great Gastby

Course Title

english 211

Gatsby’s Desire Creates His Demise.

The pursuit of the American Dream has been quite a factor discussed throughout the centuries daunting way back to much earlier periods. This desire to attain wealth and live comfortably is still the driving force to why folks continue to migrate to America as well as the migration within. In Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, this factor is quite evident. The protagonist, Gatsby seeks this same American Dream. In doing so he undergoes profound change, which allows him to attain his dream. By analyzing the underlying factors of wealth and power, we can explore further his ability to attain such.

Gatsby’s acquiring of wealth allows him the power to leave his past behind and acclaims a new identity, in which he is now the center of attention and curiosity. His lavish and extravagant entertaining allows him the control he feels, as well as the respect from many. I think this changing in Gatsby 's lifestyle represents the "New Rich" during the 1920s era, showing the upper class at its most opulent. "The Great Gatsby" is set among wealthy, educated people, who are not interested about people who are not in their social class. What is matter for them is how they are socially perceived. Those who do come from the middle class seek and envy the prestige and lifestyle that the elite is living with. Fitzgerald is attracted by the social hierarchy and humor of America in the 1920s. He is able to describe the profound change of the society when he moves Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, from one class in the society to the elite. However, in some readers perspective, we can see the emergence of a caste in the elite. As Gatsby is able to attain wealth, but he cannot get education and social behaviors that only come with "old money". That is wealth can be distinguished from class. It is possible to achieve great wealth without being accepted to the elite, as evidenced by Jay Gatsby's experience. Social...