So, I discussed the importance of the American Dream with my tutor and briefly in class but I learned that Fitzgerald is trying to show try different types of the American dream through the stories of three different people.
The first person is Tom Buchanan who, at a young age became a football star and achieved wealthiness at an early age. He married Daisy and lives in the Hamptons. What could possibly be wrong with living in the Hamptons and having a good amount of money you ask? Tom Buchanan is bored. He wants a thill.
Next is George Wilson. According to my research the American Dream has literally and figuratively passed over him. He owns a garage on one of the main streets (where Dr. T. J. Eckleburg’s billboard is) and he never gets any business. He’s much better off than most people but still the only customer that comes in is Tom Buchanan who just comes because he’s sleeping with his wife. His garage is on the boarder of New York and Long Island so when people are driving to New York the don’t think twice about going to garage. They’d much rather go to a crazy alcohol party in New York. Who wouldn’t?
Lastly, Gatsby. Gatsby has achieved the American Dream to the point where he’s so wealthy that everything he owns is considered as “overkill”. When he throws a house party there’s a description of everybody using his stuff. “His Rolls-Royce served as an omnibus” (Pg. 39) and also at this party people are cruising and having fun on his boats. Why isn’t Gatsby out there on the boats having a good time as well. Gatsby doesn’t know what to do with himself and I think he’s depressed.