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The Great Gatsby by FitzgeraldThe Great Gatsby describes “The unending quest after the romanticdream, which is forever betrayed in fact” (Robert Omstein)
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Is it inevitable that dreams fail in this novel?
The wild profligacy of Gatsby’s parties, the shallowness andaimlessness of the guests and the hint of Gatsby’s participation intheft and crime all identify the period and the American setting.
But as a piece of social commentary “The Great Gatsby” also portraysthe breakdown of the American dream, from the viewpoint that Americanpolitical ideals conflict with the actual society since Americandemocracy is based on the equality between people, the truth is thatsocial discrimination still existed and the divisions among theclasses could not be overcome. This made the dream of many of which isto become part of the higher social class, represented by East Egg,impossible to attain.
In the novel, Myrtle is one of the characters whose desires springfrom social ambitions. She wanted to fit into the higher social valuesand to do so she had an affair with Tom and imitates his way ofliving, but it results in her becoming as vulgar and corrupt. Herdreams and ambitions resulted in her death. She therefore findsherself failing to reach her dreams and becomes only a shell of whatshe yearns to be.
Gatsby’s dreams on the other hand are more of a significant struggle.Unlike Myrtle’s desire, which springs from social ambitions, Gatsby’sdreams are related more to his idealism and his confidence in life’spotentials. Undoubtedly, his desire is also influenced by socialconsiderations; Daisy, who is wealthy and beautiful, represents a wayof life, which is remote from Gatsby’s and therefore more attractivebecause it is out of reach. However, social consciousness is not abasic cause. It simply directs and focuses Gatsby’s belief in life’spossibilities. Like Myrtle, Gatsby struggles to fit himself intoanother social group, but his attempt is more vital because his wholefaith in life is involved in it.
