Hey!!
Could anyone please tell me any gatsby quotes that show American dream is a failure?
I'M HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ONE AND I NEED IT FOR MY ESSAY
thanks
Check the quotes section at this site:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/
Of course! I can help you with that. To find relevant quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" that illustrate the failure of the American Dream, you can follow these steps:
1. Firstly, consider exploring key moments in the novel where characters' aspirations and dreams are ultimately shattered or unattainable.
2. One notable character whose pursuit of the American Dream ultimately ends in failure is Jay Gatsby himself. Look for moments in the text where Gatsby's idealistic vision falls apart or when his efforts prove fruitless.
3. Pay attention to any passages or dialogues where Fitzgerald comments on the more profound themes associated with the failure of the American Dream, such as the corruption of the wealthy and the emptiness of material success.
Now, let's look at a few quotes from "The Great Gatsby" that can support the notion of the American Dream being a failure:
1. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning — So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." (Chapter 9)
This quote showcases Gatsby's unattainable dream and his relentless pursuit of an idealized future. Despite his efforts, he is tragically unable to recreate the past and reach his desired vision.
2. "[Gatsby's house] was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden . . . It had often been remarked that Gatsby looked like an advertisement of himself. . . . It was what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men." (Chapter 5)
In this quote, Fitzgerald criticizes the superficiality and emptiness of Gatsby's opulent lifestyle. The ad-like appearance of Gatsby himself parallels the hollowness and the false promises of the American Dream.
3. "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made." (Chapter 9)
This quote reflects on the moral corruption and indifference of the wealthy characters in the novel, highlighting the idea that the pursuit of wealth and success often comes at the expense of others. It suggests that the American Dream can lead to a callous disregard for human values.
Remember, always provide specific context and analysis when using quotes in your essay. These quotes should help you illustrate the failure of the American Dream in "The Great Gatsby" and support your argument effectively.