The Lost American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby Critics agree that F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is not only a social commentary on the Roaring Twenties, but also a revelation of the disintegration of the American Dream. Jay Gatsby embodies this broken and illusory dream; he is considered a "mythical" individual (Bewley 17), as "the end product of the American dream" (Lehan 109), and as a representative of "man's unbridled pursuit of a dream across a continent and vice -versa”. (Moyer 219). The factors that have contributed to the destruction of this American fantasy are materialism, moral waste, and spiritual transgressions. As a direct consequence of this disappointed hope, the characters seek in vain to find fulfillment in useless and trivial activities. Fitzgerald describes the American dream as a pure fairy tale. Many critics wonder what Gatsby's role is in this text and how it applies to the American dream. In Marius Bewley's "Scott Fitzgerald's Criticism of America," the critic argues that Fitzgerald is able to "mythologize" Gatsby by never allowing him to "sully himself with a touch of realism" (Bewley 14). Bewley believes that Gatsby is “a mythical creature in whom are embodied the aspirations and trials of his race” (Bewley 17). The critic therefore does not cite only America for Gatsby's desire for ideals, but rather his "race" or his creator for having made him wish for these unattainable wishes. Continuing this idea, Bewley suggests that Gatsby's mythic qualities present him "less as an individual than as a projection, or mirror, of our ideal self" (Bewley 24). Thus, Gatsby, according to Bewley, is a reflection of all human aspirations. On the contrary, Joyce Rowe believes that Gatsb...... middle of paper ...... edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 104-110. McAdams, Tony. “Ethics in Gatsby: An Examination of American Values.” In Readings on The Great Gatsby. edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 111-120. Miller, James E. Jr. “Fitzgerald's Gatsby: The World as a Heap of Ashes.” » In Critical Essays on Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. edited by Scott Donaldson. Boston, MA: GK Hall & Co. 1984. 242-58. Moyer, Kermit. W. “The Great Gatsby: Fitzgerald’s Meditation on American History.” In Critical Essays on Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. edited by Scott Donaldson. Boston, Massachusetts: GK Hall & Co. 1984. 215-28 Rowe, Joyce A. “The Illusions of American Idealism.” In Readings on The Great Gatsby. edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 87-95.

Essay / The Lost American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby Critics agree that F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is not only a social commentary on the Roaring Twenties, but also a revelation of the disintegration of the American Dream. Jay Gatsby embodies this broken and illusory dream; he is considered a "mythical" individual (Bewley 17), as "the end product of the American dream" (Lehan 109), and as a representative of "man's unbridled pursuit of a dream across a continent and vice -versa”. (Moyer 219). The factors that have contributed to the destruction of this American fantasy are materialism, moral waste, and spiritual transgressions. As a direct consequence of this disappointed hope, the characters seek in vain to find fulfillment in useless and trivial activities. Fitzgerald describes the American dream as a pure fairy tale. Many critics wonder what Gatsby's role is in this text and how it applies to the American dream. In Marius Bewley's "Scott Fitzgerald's Criticism of America," the critic argues that Fitzgerald is able to "mythologize" Gatsby by never allowing him to "sully himself with a touch of realism" (Bewley 14). Bewley believes that Gatsby is “a mythical creature in whom are embodied the aspirations and trials of his race” (Bewley 17). The critic therefore does not cite only America for Gatsby's desire for ideals, but rather his "race" or his creator for having made him wish for these unattainable wishes. Continuing this idea, Bewley suggests that Gatsby's mythic qualities present him "less as an individual than as a projection, or mirror, of our ideal self" (Bewley 24). Thus, Gatsby, according to Bewley, is a reflection of all human aspirations. On the contrary, Joyce Rowe believes that Gatsb...... middle of paper ...... edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 104-110. McAdams, Tony. “Ethics in Gatsby: An Examination of American Values.” In Readings on The Great Gatsby. edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 111-120. Miller, James E. Jr. “Fitzgerald's Gatsby: The World as a Heap of Ashes.” » In Critical Essays on Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. edited by Scott Donaldson. Boston, MA: GK Hall & Co. 1984. 242-58. Moyer, Kermit. W. “The Great Gatsby: Fitzgerald’s Meditation on American History.” In Critical Essays on Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. edited by Scott Donaldson. Boston, Massachusetts: GK Hall & Co. 1984. 215-28 Rowe, Joyce A. “The Illusions of American Idealism.” In Readings on The Great Gatsby. edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 87-95.

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