The Great Gatsby Displaying the Corruption of the American...

The Great Gatsby: The Corruption of the American Dream In the 1920’s many people left their countries to come to America seeking for the American dream. The American Dream meant being successful and happy. Many people started to learn that they couldn’t find that happiness without the money. In Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the characters based their lives off of wealth and materialism, forgetting what the real idea of the American dream was. Throughout the story, Daisy, Gatsby and Myrtle illustrated disillusionment of the American dream. To start off, Daisy illustrated disillusionment of the American dream throughout the story. For example, Daisy was born into a rich family, married a rich man, was reunited with her lost†¦show more content†¦Since Gatsby was poor before, he wanted to show Daisy that now he was rich. Another reason how Gatsby showed disillusionment of the American dream was bootlegging and being involved in other shady activities . He did this in order to get his money. The American dream meant earning ones money, not being involved in crime. He lied to his friends saying he went to Oxford College and was very well educated. Even though Gatsby did have a lot of money and lavish things, he never was completely content without Daisy. Lastly, Myrtle illustrated disillusionment of the American dream by switching roles whenever she would go from the Valley of Ashes to her and Tom’s condo in New York. For example, when she was on her way to the condo with Tom, she made him purchase her a puppy, â€Å"Mrs. Wilson gathered up her dog and her other purchases and walked haughtily in† (Fitzgerald 28). Myrtle acted stuck up as if she owned the place even though she was really poor. She was trying to be someone she’s not. She thought that being surrounded by such a lavish lifestyle would grant her happiness. Another reason how Myrtle demonstrated disillusionment of the American dream was her relation ship with George. 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