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  • Essay / The Importance of Dreams in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

    Table of ContentsBodyConclusionBibliographyIn F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby, the theme of dreams plays an important role in shaping life and motivations characters. In a society obsessed with wealth and status, dreams provide a sense of hope and purpose, driving individuals to pursue their desires. However, as the characters' dreams are revealed, Fitzgerald highlights the emptiness and disillusionment that can accompany the pursuit of the American dream. This essay will explore the importance of dreams in The Great Gatsby and how they contribute to the overall themes of the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essayBodyOne of the key aspects of The Great Gatsby is the way in which dreams fuel the characters' actions and ambitions. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, embodies the power of dreams as he relentlessly pursues his vision of rekindling a lost love and achieving wealth and social status. Gatsby's dream is symbolized by his extravagant mansion and lavish parties, which serve as a facade to hide his poor upbringing and allow him to assimilate into the upper class. Fitzgerald emphasizes the importance of Gatsby's dream by repeatedly mentioning his humble beginnings, using the keyword "Gatsby was poor" several times in the text. This repetition highlights the stark contrast between Gatsby's past and his present self, emphasizing the transformative power of dreams. Likewise, other characters in the novel also harbor dreams that shape their actions. Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby's love interest, dreams of a luxurious life filled with material possessions and societal acceptance. Her desire for wealth and status leads her to marry Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and socially important man, despite her love for Gatsby. Furthermore, Tom himself is driven by the dream of maintaining his privileged position in society, which he fiercely defends throughout the novel. These dreams, shared by the characters of The Great Gatsby, highlight the pervasive influence of the American dream on their motivations and choices. While dreams initially provide hope and motivation for the characters, Fitzgerald also unveils the emptiness and disillusionment that can accompany pursuit. of these dreams. Gatsby's quest for wealth and social status, driven by his desire to win Daisy's love, ultimately leads to his downfall. Despite his extravagant parties and grand displays of wealth, Gatsby is never fully accepted by the upper class, as he is seen as an outsider due to his poor background. This highlights the inherent inequality and superficiality of the American dream, where social status is often determined by birthright rather than personal achievement. Additionally, Gatsby's dream is ultimately shattered when Daisy chooses to stay with Tom, prioritizing her own comfort and safety over true love. This betrayal crushes Gatsby, revealing the emptiness of his dream and the futility of his efforts. Fitzgerald's use of vivid imagery and symbolism, such as the green light at the end of Daisy's platform, reinforces the illusory nature of dreams and the impossibility of recovering the past. Throughout The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the consequences of pursuing dreams at the expense of personal integrity and moral values. Gatsby's single-minded pursuit of wealth and social status leads him to engage in illegal activities, such as bootlegging, in order to amass his fortune. This highlights the corrupting influence of the American dream, which, 2004.