From Sea to Shining Sea: The Rise & Fall of the American Dream

By Melina Farahmand

Founder & Owner of Past Present Future Co.

Author of: "From Dust to Breath"

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".

— The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is an exceptional piece of American writing. It embodies the very heart and soul of American ideals and values. This piece of writing that helped put the revolutionaries to the pathway to freedom symbolizes that individuals have the right and freedom to choose their own life and liberty. Moreover, freedom in their pursuit of happiness. The power to do and accomplish whatever dream one desires. America was constructed to be a place of hope and possibilities, a place where everyone is welcome. This picture of optimism and opportunities is what prompts many people to move their entire lives to the country that is known as the land of the free because of the brave. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous novel The Great Gatsby, he presents to his many readers that the American dream is no longer in existence; this grand concept and dream of chance and greatness in the country of America is just that: a dream, and it is painted to be a fraud. The Great Gatsby depicts the end of the American dream, and shows readers that it means nothing anymore. 

A common misconception about The Great Gatsby is that it is a love story when in reality; it is far more than that. The novel takes place in the 1920s; right after the first major world war took place, with two of the main characters having served in the war. Those who know their United States history well know that after the war ended, the Great Depression came soon after the era of the roaring twenties. Understanding basic American history and the background inspiration behind this concept of an American dream is very important to have before reading the novel. What exactly made this dream of prosperity in a country possible? According to The Balance,“The American Dream was made possible by a setting that was conducive to prosperity, peace, and opportunity. Here are the three main geographic, economic, and political factors: a large land mass under one government, thanks to the outcome of the Civil War. Second, America has benign neighbors. Third, abundant natural resources feed U.S. commerce. These include oil, rainfall, and plenty of rivers. Long shorelines and a flat terrain ease transportation. The United States is a prime example of how natural resources boosted the economy and gave the nation a head start toward garnering its present global stature” (Amadeo). This information helps provide some background information on how everything was made possible.  The novel shows all of the glitz and glamour around New York City. Gatsby’s home is practically the headquarters for many glamorous parties. However, Fitzgerald is truly showing his audience the ignorance of the people who attend Gatsby’s parties. They are the complete opposite of people seeking peace or prosperity. These events are being used as places of opportunity for these partygoers to take advantage of a man trying to impress one woman, who arguably is just as bad as the people taking advantage of Gatsby. These individuals reek of privilege, greed, and ignorance. None of them truly cares about Gatsby, which is shown at the end of the novel. It can be inferred that Fitzgerald is trying to help readers understand or believe his views that the American dream is no longer possible due to the greedy citizens who have soared to new heights during this era. These people have destroyed the meaning of being true citizens and good human beings. 

Many pieces of symbolism are featured throughout this story of heartbreak, wealth, and love. The green light, in particular, plays a monumental role in the novel. While to some it is mainly about Gatsby’s love for Daisy, there is a far larger picture being depicted with this symbol. Nick, Gatsby’s neighbor and friend, actually shows readers said picture while observing Gatsby at night when he notices how “he stretched out his arms toward the dark water. . . . I . . . distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and faraway” (Fitzgerald). Nick speaks very symbolically here. The meaning of this quote is that Daisy is a part of Gatsby’s own American dream. The life he wants to have with her, the time that will be made up, and everything. Gatsby’s desire to be with Daisy will ultimately not work out. As Fitzgerald has been trying to prove all along in this thought-provoking novel is that the concept of having accomplished one’s dream is all some useless piece of hope that people will always believe in. Gatsby is a great example of the entire “rags to riches” concept- making it big in a country when he started out with nothing.  He is also a dreamer. This is clear from the moment readers meet him. Unfortunately, for Gatsby, his dreams end in tragedy, signifying the end of his American dream. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s perspective of the American dream is seen in the eyes of Nick, a very pessimistic and unreliable character. He views this concept to be ridiculous and just not possible. However, looking at things in modern-day America, is this dream still possible? On the other hand, is it all some con? Former President Barack Obama wrote a book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, regarding ambitions and plans in America and explains that “in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope” (Obama). The basic translation for this is that there is no grand lie. The hopes, the dreams, the accomplishments… they are all possible according to the former President. Due to all the major problems circulating the world, many believe that they will not be able to accomplish their dreams, and be successful. In addition, many may believe that they do not have a place in America’s story. While the modern-day America has many of her own issues to deal with, “America is big enough to accommodate all their dreams” (Obama).  Some might believe this is a little naive, but it is true. She is. America is. All it takes is a plan, hard work, and drive to accomplish one’s dreams. Gatsby may have not accomplished his dreams but that is what happens when one loses sight of what is important. Daisy never cared about Gatsby, and he was better off without her. She represents how greed consumes people, and that money means nothing when your heart is not good. 

In the end, Fitzgerald does an excellent job at portraying an image of a broken America. A country so far into this fragmented and distorted idea that wealth and money are everything; furthermore, that their [Americans] dreams are far more important than the dreams of their fellow citizens. The novel shows all the dark and dirty aspects of privilege, greed, and wealth. The Great Gatsby perfectly depicts the entire concept of the demise of the American dream, and it shows why it fails the characters in novel. 

Works Cited 

Amadeo, Kimberly. “5 Ways Our Founding Fathers Protect The American Dream.” The Balance, The Balance, 19 Feb. 2019, www.thebalance.com/what-is-the-american-dream-quotes-and-history-3306009.

Engle, Jeremy. “Do You Think the American Dream Is Real?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/learning/do-you-think-the-american-dream-is-real.html. 

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Penguin Books, 1950.

Obama, Barack. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. Vision Australia Information and Library Service, 2009.

Telegraph, “The Gatsby Delusion: The 'American Dream' Is Totally Misunderstood.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 8 June 2014, www.businessinsider.com/the-gatsby-delusion-the-american-dream-is-totally-misunderstood-2014-6