The Importance of Dreams in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby, the theme of dreams plays a significant role in shaping the lives and motivations of the characters. In a society obsessed with wealth and social status, dreams provide a sense of hope and purpose, driving individuals to pursue their desires. However, as the characters' dreams unravel, 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.

Body

One of the key aspects of The Great Gatsby is the way in which dreams fuel the characters' actions and ambitions. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, epitomizes 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 façade to hide his poor upbringing and enable him to assimilate into the upper class. Fitzgerald emphasizes the significance of Gatsby's dream by repeatedly mentioning his humble beginnings, using the keyword "Gatsby was poor" a few times in the text. This repetition emphasizes the stark contrast between Gatsby's past and his present persona, highlighting the transformative power of dreams.

Similarly, 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 prominent man, despite her love for Gatsby. Furthermore, Tom himself is driven by the dream of maintaining his privileged position in society, which he defends fiercely throughout the novel. These dreams, shared by the characters in The Great Gatsby, highlight the pervasive influence of the American Dream in shaping their motivations and choices.

While dreams initially provide hope and motivation for the characters, Fitzgerald also unveils the hollowness and disillusionment that can accompany the pursuit of these dreams. Gatsby's pursuit of 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.

Furthermore, Gatsby's dream is ultimately shattered when Daisy chooses to remain with Tom, prioritizing her own comfort and security over true love. This betrayal crushes Gatsby, exposing 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 dock, reinforces the illusory nature of dreams and the impossibility of recapturing 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 encourages individuals to prioritize material success over ethical behavior.

Similarly, Tom and Daisy Buchanan's pursuit of their own dreams leads them to engage in extramarital affairs and callously disregard the feelings and lives of others. Their actions reflect the moral decay and superficiality of the upper class, who are willing to sacrifice integrity and loyalty in order to maintain their privileged position in society. Fitzgerald's portrayal of the consequences of these dreams serves as a critique of the materialistic and morally bankrupt society of the 1920s.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dreams play a crucial role in The Great Gatsby, driving the characters' actions and shaping the overall themes of the novel. Fitzgerald highlights the power of dreams to motivate individuals and provide them with a sense of purpose and hope. However, he also exposes the emptiness and disillusionment that can accompany the pursuit of these dreams, emphasizing the illusory nature of the American Dream. Through the characters' experiences, Fitzgerald critiques the moral decay and superficiality of a society obsessed with wealth and social status. The Great Gatsby serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of balancing our dreams with personal integrity and moral values.

Bibliography

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2004.