"American Dream"
When I think of the American Dream, I imagine a person who comes from little to no money, who is able to use the opportunities America provides to gather wealth and happiness. This is the notion that America is the land of opportunities, and that people can do great things and build themselves, and their reputation, up from nothing. The concept of gathering wealth was fully alive during the 1920s, as is consistently present throughout The Great Gatsby. This idea that people can become wealthy or rich in America, whether that be through business or another trade, is clearly illustrated by the luxuries Gatsby flaunts and has gathered throughout his lifetime.
However, while Gatsby fulfills the side of the American Dream that is concerned with wealth and riches, he fails to find happiness. This shows that although money can buy an awful lot of things, the wealth America can provide an up-and-coming individual doesn't necessarily bring them happiness.
Wealth, I believe, is an accumulation of riches, whether that be money, valuable items or businesses. When I imagine someone wealthy I see them surrounded by green, and eager to make even more than they already have. That is because it seems like wealth can corrupt people, as people tend to believe that riches can be the source of, or bring, happiness. This is seen in The Great Gatsby as Gatsby believes that his lavish parties will bring him happiness in the form of love through Daisy. However, the wealth fails to bring her to him, proving that wealth cannot solely bring someone the happiness they desire.
As long as there is greed in the world, there will continue to be people without enough money to properly care for themselves. This is the way it has been since the concept of currency was created and continues to be true today. People will strive to make more and more and focus on themselves, which oftentimes leads to the people who actually need help to suffer even more. Those who don't have wealth usually long for it instead of commenting on how unfair the system is, which Fitgerald presents in his novel through Myrtle. Myrtle is not wealthy, and yet she longs and pretends to be. There is no mention of how it is unfair that people are starving during this time period while others celebrate in luxury. This mimics the attitude of the society during the 1920s, as the focus of the public was on the newest trends and not on the poor.
Personally, I think that it is unfair and not right that some people have more money than they know what to do with while others starve. I think it is tragic how this inequality continues to grow, and I think that the most efficient way to help fix this problem is by taxing the most wealthy in order to create government-funded programs to help the poor. Money is a necessary evil in our world, and those with money are given the opportunity to make a real change in the world. While money doesn't buy happiness, it could mean the difference between life and death for those truly suffering.
However, while Gatsby fulfills the side of the American Dream that is concerned with wealth and riches, he fails to find happiness. This shows that although money can buy an awful lot of things, the wealth America can provide an up-and-coming individual doesn't necessarily bring them happiness.
Wealth, I believe, is an accumulation of riches, whether that be money, valuable items or businesses. When I imagine someone wealthy I see them surrounded by green, and eager to make even more than they already have. That is because it seems like wealth can corrupt people, as people tend to believe that riches can be the source of, or bring, happiness. This is seen in The Great Gatsby as Gatsby believes that his lavish parties will bring him happiness in the form of love through Daisy. However, the wealth fails to bring her to him, proving that wealth cannot solely bring someone the happiness they desire.
As long as there is greed in the world, there will continue to be people without enough money to properly care for themselves. This is the way it has been since the concept of currency was created and continues to be true today. People will strive to make more and more and focus on themselves, which oftentimes leads to the people who actually need help to suffer even more. Those who don't have wealth usually long for it instead of commenting on how unfair the system is, which Fitgerald presents in his novel through Myrtle. Myrtle is not wealthy, and yet she longs and pretends to be. There is no mention of how it is unfair that people are starving during this time period while others celebrate in luxury. This mimics the attitude of the society during the 1920s, as the focus of the public was on the newest trends and not on the poor.
Personally, I think that it is unfair and not right that some people have more money than they know what to do with while others starve. I think it is tragic how this inequality continues to grow, and I think that the most efficient way to help fix this problem is by taxing the most wealthy in order to create government-funded programs to help the poor. Money is a necessary evil in our world, and those with money are given the opportunity to make a real change in the world. While money doesn't buy happiness, it could mean the difference between life and death for those truly suffering.
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