How does the American dream play a part in the tragedy of Jay Gatsby?
Please post your answer and we'll be glad to critique it.
does the tradegy occur when gatsby fails to gain all the wealth and power he wants and fails to get daisy and ends up dying
Since he isn't "born" to the upper class, no matter how hard he works nor how much wealth he attains, he can't win.
The American dream plays a significant role in the tragedy of Jay Gatsby. To understand this, we need to explore how Gatsby's pursuit of the American dream ultimately leads to his downfall.
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a self-made man who attempts to chase his version of the American dream. His ultimate goal is to achieve wealth, success, and social status in order to win the love of Daisy Buchanan, his long-lost love. Gatsby believes that by accumulating material wealth, he can recreate the past and win Daisy's heart.
Gatsby's tragedy occurs when his pursuit of wealth and power becomes his sole focus. He dedicates himself to acquiring immense wealth and throwing extravagant parties in the hopes of impressing Daisy and fitting into the upper class. However, despite all his efforts, Gatsby fails to fully integrate into the elite society he idolizes.
The tragedy unfolds when Gatsby realizes that he cannot attain the unattainable. Despite his immense wealth and lavish lifestyle, he still feels that he doesn't truly belong to the upper class. As you mentioned, his pursuit of wealth and power does not bring him the recognition and acceptance he desires. Furthermore, his obsession with Daisy blinds him to the reality of who she has become, and he fails to truly connect with her on an emotional level.
Ultimately, Gatsby's pursuit of the American dream leads him to a tragic end. As he becomes entangled in a web of deception and illusory fantasies, his dream crumbles before his eyes. His relentless pursuit of wealth, status, and love ultimately becomes his downfall. Gatsby's tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing an unachievable dream and the consequences of losing sight of what truly matters in life.
To delve deeper into the tragic elements of Jay Gatsby's story and explore the role of the American dream, I recommend reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby." Examining the character's thoughts, actions, and the societal context in which the story is set will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the American dream contributes to Gatsby's tragedy.