The Great Gatsby: American Theme

This book symbolizes the idea of the America Dream. This dream has made immigrants flock to our shores for centuries, hoping to capture the perfect life that they want. People believe that having money will solve all of our problems. However, Gatsby had money galore and never truly achieved happiness. He spent his life chasing Daisy, from before the war, to trying to win her back from Tom later on. He lived in West Egg, the place of lavish houses and elegant parties, but never truly seemed to fit in, in my opinion. He threw parties for people to come drink but never drank himself, never danced with the guests, but watched them from above. I think Gatsby wanted others to be happy, and the only way he would have ever been happy was if Daisy loved him back. Even earlier on in his life, he changed him name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby to pursue a new life. When Nick talked to Mr. Gatz, Jay's father, he said this: "He come out to see me two years ago and bought me the house I live in now... He knew he had a big future in front of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous with me." pg.181. This just is another example of how when he didn't even have a lot of money, he still bought his dad a house so that his dad would be happy.