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The Great Gatsby: Characters Show The Deterioration Of The American Dream - Online Term Paper

The Great Gatsby: Characters Show The Deterioration Of The American Dream

The primary focus of the American dream is that hard work will lead to success, respect, and social status. In Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby the characters show the deterioration of the American dream.
Each character in The Great Gatsby shows the withering away of the American dream. George Wilson works hard at fixing cars but never is successful in life. He gains no social status, respect, power, or wealth. Wilson works hard but no matter how hard he works he can never be accepted into the social status of Tom and Daisy and will never gain their respect. Wilson never gained respect from his wife Mytrle either because " He borrowed somebody's best suit to get married ...

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illegally. Although he has wealth he does not attain anything else. He has no respect, power, or success. Gatsby realized that the life of the higher class requires wealth to become their priority and he realizes that is the only way which will allow him to be with Daisy. When Gatsby fails to reach his dream all he has left to show for is his wealth, which was not even gained morally. Gatsby engaged in criminal activity as his only path to being among the rich. His need for money had become so intense that he "was in the drug business" (95). He had entered a world where money took precedence over moral integrity.
Gatsby shows yet another way that the American dream has withered away. Jordan Baker is just like Gatsby. She has no hard work to show for and cheats her way achieve her wealth. She has no respect, power, or success.

Tom Buchanan has gained his money through inheritance which has required him no hard work. He has respect. power, success, and a social ...

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The Great Gatsby: Characters Show The Deterioration Of The American Dream. (2006, April 18). Retrieved January 2, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Gatsby-Characters-Show-Deterioration-American/44604

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 4/18/2006 05:31:38 PM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 665
Pages: 3

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