16th June 2017

Theme

The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America (read: rich) if they just work hard enough.

I think Fitzgerald is trying to say that society have lost morals by using illusion throughout the book. He is showing the corruption of the American Dream, how gaining a sense of pride from dignity of work and determination doesnt mean as much as owning lots of money through illegal jobs or inheriting. The concept of god no longer exists because society no longer considers god and any faith a necissity for making decisions and lifestyle choices. The American Dream is portrayed in a few ways. A couple being the the green light that symbolises Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for a life with Daisy. Another symbol is the Valley of the Ashes, which represents the ugly consequences of America’s obsession with wealth. Fitzgerald manages to define, praise, and condemn what is known as the American Dream, one literary device he uses to depict the American Dream is motif; one motif is geography as represented by East and West Egg. West Egg is where the “new rich”.

The quote, “But I didn’t call to him for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone–he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward–and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock” represents the American Dream very well. This is because Gatsby is reaching for something which is outside of his social class. Whereas the American Dream says that everyone no matter what race should be in the same class not depending on money.

Illusion is a real idea for teenagers because a lot of teenagers don’t wish to be who they are and want to be the “ideal”, “cool” person that they don’t believe they are. Society of course determines this and they provide teenagers with challenges to meet certain expectations in order to fit in everyday. Such as what brands you wear, who you hang out with and where you live. We can relate these to illusion because teenagers engage themselves in this world where who you are and how you are see matters, and most people tend to create this person and project themselves, who they truly aren’t in the inside.

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Category

Writing