In the novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, Fitzgerald undermines the ‘American Dream’ and exposes it for what it really is. It is shown as a false hope through the Wilsons, Gatsby and the Buchanons. Demonstrated through these characters, we gain insight on how the ‘American Dream’ can award prosperity and success but are just superficial qualities boosting one’s egotism. It acts as a mask to hide the corruptness and misogyny of society, giving off a fake harmonious act.
In Long Island, materialism and wealth seem to be the main influence of power, controlling people mindlessly to follow anything with the most money. This is demonstrated with Daisy, as she has an innocent and pure foundation before the war in 1917. With their true reciprocated love, they make a pact agreeing to meet up once Gatsby has got more money. However, along the line, the pact is broken as Daisy’s heart is won over by expensive pearls; Tom. When Gatsby is finally wealthy and is reunited with Daisy, she has lost all Genuity, but still falls for him, but this time for different reasons. Wealth and materialism being a catalyst to true emotions, Daisy’s tears ‘storm’ out as she sees Gatsby’s treasure of shirts along with his lavish belongings. Being influenced and changed by society, Gatsby struggles to reconcile with the Daisy he once knew. In the end, the conflict would remain because of the effects society had on her, rendering her too deep to get out of.
Fitzgerald criticizes that the greatest cultural impediments will fortify society from the true harmony and unity of people. This is demonstrated in Gatsby’s failed endeavour to win back Daisy.
Wilsons – contradiction of the ‘American Dream’