In my opinion, the inequitable opportunity of success make American Dream to be idealistic and even a fantasy. American Dream only applies for those people who have power and money. Ironically, the equality is one of the idea which is advocated by American Dream makes people wallow in this illusion so much. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is the most appropriate character who represents the inequitable opportunity of success in American Dream. Gatsby reveals himself to be highly materialistic and his motivation is driven by his desire of money. The lavish parties Gatsby holds every week bring him fame the reputation. All the things he dose seems like he is obsession to Daisy and wants to capture Daisy's heart. However, what Gatsby truly wants is change the traditional which makes him close to upper class, instead of get Daisy's love. When he talks to the Nick he even says "Her voice is full of money", which means he sees Daisy as wealth and status that he is always chasing. The strong desire of money makes Gatsby think that if he gets Daisy, she would bring more money and integrate him to the higher social circumstance. The money and status makes him get close to his dream much easier than underclasses.
Actually, Gatsby dose achieves his American Dream, because he becomes rich and even 'gets' Daisy, the person who is always chasing. His reputation is wildly spread that even the 'old money' know his name. However, he recreates his past, and betrays his honesty and morality. The desire drives him to believe that money can help him to change the traditional that he can have a noblest birth just like the 'old money'. Gatsby' s success represents that in the American Dream only rich people can truly reach their ambition, because they have money and power even more opportunities than vulnerable people. Upper classes' power make them to achieve their dream much easier than underclasses.
As my example says in the part 1, American Dream is too idealistic and and even could be an illusion. Because the opportunities which makes individuals to gain happiness and be successful is inequitable. In the video Park Avenue: Money, power and the American Dream, one example illustrates that in order to defeat Obama and reach their own ambition, the richest resident and his brother in 740 Park Avenue spend lots of money to influence American policies and bribe politicians. In The Great Gatsby, rich people can do whatever they want, just like Gatsby, because his wealth, he buys the house which really close to Daisy's. And also his fame creates the chance for him to contact with Nick and Jordan which helps him bring the Daisy and successful. He can achieve his dream easier than the underclasses who have no money and fame. Thus, both the example and The Great Gatsby represent American Dream is too idealistic to follow because the chances of successful for everyone are unequal.
As my example says in the part 1, American Dream is too idealistic and and even could be an illusion. Because the opportunities which makes individuals to gain happiness and be successful is inequitable. In the video Park Avenue: Money, power and the American Dream, one example illustrates that in order to defeat Obama and reach their own ambition, the richest resident and his brother in 740 Park Avenue spend lots of money to influence American policies and bribe politicians. In The Great Gatsby, rich people can do whatever they want, just like Gatsby, because his wealth, he buys the house which really close to Daisy's. And also his fame creates the chance for him to contact with Nick and Jordan which helps him bring the Daisy and successful. He can achieve his dream easier than the underclasses who have no money and fame. Thus, both the example and The Great Gatsby represent American Dream is too idealistic to follow because the chances of successful for everyone are unequal.
Part3 Haley’s comments for Dabria
ReplyDeleteHi, Dabria
I think your opinion about American dream and the Gatsby’s connection with the American dream should be two separate paragraphs, which will be better to read.
Also, the description of the American dream is a little bit vague. Maybe you can add some examples to explain more clearly. However, your explanations about why Gatsby can be connected to the American dream is clear, for example, ‘Gatsby reveals himself to be highly materialistic and his motivation is driven by his desire of money’ and ‘what Gatsby truly wants is change the traditional which makes him close to upper class, instead of get Daisy's love’, which are the Gatsby’s American dream that I got from your descriptions.
I appreciate your opinion about Gatsby achieved his American dream, but in fact, Gatsby didn’t get the blood of old money because his blood is a fact, which cannot be changed, so maybe you should consider more details.
In the last paragraph, you gave an example to make your opinion about American dream more specific, but I think the example is personal, which will be better.
Thank you,
Haley
Part 3 Camille's comment for Dabria
ReplyDeleteHi Dabria,
The thing about how Gatsby "loves" Daisy because of his desire to get close to the upper class is pretty interesting. It is in every way possible and would make the story even more ironic since Gatsby claims Daisy is all he ever wanted when he does not even realize that he has considered Daisy as an object.
However, your discussion about the American Dream is not really an argument. "the inequitable opportunity of success make American Dream to be idealistic and even a fantasy" is more of a fact without your personal thinking.
You could try to make some more personal connections to the discussion on Gatsby. It might make the paragraph look less like a summary. The summary itself is brilliant and shows your excellent understanding of the character though. I believe that you are able to find deeper connections between Gatsby and the idea of American Dream.
It is nice to finally get the chance to sit down and read your work. Your words inspire me a lot.
Cheers,
Cami