In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is portrayed as a corrupted ideal that is unattainable for most people. The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America if they work hard enough. However, the novel critiques this idea by showing how characters like Jay Gatsby and George Wilson are unable to achieve their dreams despite their efforts. Gatsby, who comes from a poor background, reinvents himself and becomes wealthy in the hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. However, his pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to his downfall. Similarly, Wilson, who owns a small garage, is unable to improve his social and economic status despite his hard work.
The novel suggests that the American Dream has been corrupted by materialism and the pursuit of wealth for its own sake. Characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who are born into wealth and privilege, are portrayed as shallow and morally bankrupt. The novel also suggests that the American Dream is exclusive and only available to those who are born into privilege or who are willing to engage in shady practices to accumulate wealth.
Overall, The Great Gatsby portrays the American Dream as a flawed and unattainable ideal that has been corrupted by greed and materialism. The novel suggests that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to moral decay and ultimately, tragedy.
