Great Gatsby Essay

Kody Godette

Mrs. Moore

Advanced English 6th Period

October 20th 2015

Reaching The American Dream

Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby we see Jay Gatsby working to get everything he desires so he can live the American dream. Everyone's American Dream is different, for Gatsby he wants the girl of his dreams, Daisy Buchanan, and to obtain this goal he believes he needs to be wealthy and social. The ways Gatsby attempted to reach his American Dream was becoming a bootlegger, hosting parties, and impressing Daisy with his personal possessions.

Although Gatsby seems like a great honest man obtaining his money was not the most honest way because he was a bootlegger. Becoming a bootlegger helped Gatsby earn money which is what he believed he needed to do to finally impress Daisy. At first Gatsby was trying earn money honestly but an inheritance he was expecting from his friend was given to his friend's girlfriend instead. The reason Gatsby thinks he needs to be wealthy is because Daisy is only with Tom because of his money, "In Chapter Seven when Gatsby tries to persuade Daisy to declare she never loved Tom, she cannot do it. She finally gives in to Tom because she feels safe with him." (Alexander). In chapter seven Tom reveals that held a small investigation on Gatsby and found out about him being a bootlegger, "You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfshiem—that much I happen to know. I’ve made a little investigation into your affairs—and I’ll carry it further tomorrow.” (Fitzgerald). Gatsby had the wealth to win over Daisy and achieve the American Dream even though he did not work for the money honestly.

Another way that Gatsby attempts to win over Daisy and achieve his American Dream is becoming social and being a key figure in society. Gatsby throws many parties at his house and tries to be social in society, but does not show his face often and stays upstairs and keeps to himself. "He throws parties to try and fit in with the socialites....