The American Dream really is nowadays just simply about being happy. In "The Great Gatsby" Tom and Daisy on the outside seem to be living their American Dream, but in actuality they are not. There is lies, deceit, pain, heartache, adultery, etc. Gatsby, on the other hand, seems to be content with himself, so far, and seems to be rather happy, he is rich and everyone knows him. Nick also seems to be happy and content with the life he is leading. He wanted to do bonds and now he is doing them. Jordan seems to be sad, but seems to be living her dream of playing golf, so she seems content as well. So in the story the people who seem to have it altogether really don't and the others are just content with who they are. So... I don't know. I guess for the most part they all have the sense of their American Dream, just some haven't achieved it yet!
About all of the people at the party in general...they are chasing happiness by going to these parties, but upon closer inspection they would realize that it is just a waste of time. They go to these parties that Gatsby graciously (as far as we know) throws and drink and socialize, but as Nick quickly observes, everyone goes around and greets people and forget them as soon as they leave sight.
Nick seems to be in search of the American Dream, but it is apparent that he knows that it is not found at these meaningless parties. He actually observes individuals and doesn't seem to forget them as easily as the rest of the population. It is this way right now, but Nick may be slowly corrupted by the poison of society. I don't know though, that is just a thought.
I disagree with Devin about Gatsby. Everyone views Gatsby as living The American Dream, but he is dealing with things that will eventually lead to some sort of destruction. To me, Nick is in pursuit of The American Dream, and he is the closest to it. He is content with his life and whatever happens in it. In the end, Nick will be the character who achieves The American Dream.
I agree and disagree with Devin. I agree most people only want happiness but you can only be so happy with life. Noone is perfect and perfection leads to happiness!
Although Gatsby has money and hosts big parties he is not perfect like most would think(or living the American Dream). To me he seems lonely and not content with life.
Nick, i agree with Devin, is in a career he enjoys and has wanted to do but only wants to live the American Dream yet still hasn't reached it.
I agree with Emert. I don't think Gatsby is living The American Dream. Just because he has money, a big house, and anything he could ever ask for he still seems lonely to me. I think by hosting big parties and having a lot of people over it makes him feel needed or wanted. Nick on the other hand has people who need or want him and a job that he seems to enjoy. In my opinion Nick is achieving The American Dream for the most part.
In chapter three I think Nick is struggling to achieve the American dream.I disagree with devin about Nick. In no way does Nick seem content, I believe that Nick is striving for a better life. He is clearly not thrilled with his less than spectacular house and envys Gatsby's home. Through this action, i believe its obviouse that the "American Dream" that the characters in the story are chasing are not of the 2.5 kids and a suburban home. The dream they want is more or less money related. Like the traditional "American Dream" happieness is chased, but not with family, but money. Gatsby, on the other hand is different. I believe, he is after the "traditional" American dream. Though Gatsby has money, happieness does not seem to be obtainable. it seems he is missing some sort of family-friend realationship.
"The American Dream" today I think is all about having EVERYTHING you want and MONEY. I disagree with Devin because, its not really if your happy or not its more about if you have the NEW in stuff, because people tend to think well if I have that or look like I have money then maybe they will accept or like me. In the Great Gatsby I believe thats how Gatsby is he is just putting on a front for everyone to accept him, because it really seems like in all honesty he doesent really care if he has a huge machion or large parties.. It seems to me he is just doing for people to accept and like him, because maybe if they knew the "REAL" GATSBY he might be afraid that they will not like him and maybe even be afraid of him.
I agree with the majority. I think the american dream is mostly about just being Happy. Being happy means different things to different people, but for the most part I would say gatsby, in his own eyes, is living the american dream. He has his money and he has his friends and his parties and that seems to make him happy for the most part.
I agree with Devin on his comment about Tom and Daisy because he's cheating on her, therefor leaving them both unhappy. Although on the outside it may look like they are happy, on the inside, if you know someone is cheating on you, you're not going to be happy. I also agree with Amanda when she said that the dream was more money related than about being happy. In the story it said that Nick lived on the West Egg, which was the less fashionable side.
I agree that the "American Dream" is to be happy with what you do and the life that you live. I also agree on Devin's comment about Tom and Daisy living the "American Dream" on the outside but in reality they aren't because Tom is cheating on Daisy, therefor making them both unhappy "underneath it all". I also agree with Amanda when she said that the "American Dream" in the story was all about money. On the "outside looking in", it seems that really that's all it's about...money, because in the story it says that Nick lives on the West Egg--the not so fashionable side.
The American Dream consists of different things for different people. I do agree with Amanda on the fact that it does consist of money in one way or another. To most it is needed to achieve their own (its kind of taken over in a way). As far as chapter three goes deciding whether the people at the party are in search or or have already found it and are enjoying it is hard to do. I would say that most of them are in search (i.e- the group of men huddled together, presuming they were talking about money, business etc.) As far as Gatsby goes, if his ideal life and American Dream is of the money, car, "friends", and to be content with what he has, all he seems to be missing is the girl. hmmmmm. . . .. He seems to be a happy person who knows what he has and what he needs to do to get what he dosen't. Nick on the other hand is a bit confused and is one who is in search.He has moved away from his original home and family (which you hope would be a happy place) wanting to take matters into his own hands and to be indepentent. His parents seemed to be pretty much set, and I feel that Nick wants to do for himself and needs to decide on what he wants. He has the want to find it, but i'm afraid he sits back and watches to much. He needs to start something for once (not just business, but the rest of life).
I agree with the fact that in all most of the characters just want to be happy which is ultimately the american dream. Gatsby is living it, Tom is still in search, Nick is a little more focused and sees more in life.I believe that gatsbys american dream is short lived and Tom, who is search of,will find the true american dream.
In Chapter Three we see Gatsby's as already having the American Dream and seeming content and happy with his life. We don't really learn of any of his thoughts or reasons for these parties until chapter four. We believe he is just trying to have fun and socialize and "live up life" with his new money and don't really see him as being in pursuit of anything. I agree with Ryan though that Nick does seem to be in search of his American Dream but knows it's not going to come to him through these "meaningless" parties.
I agree that Gatsby is in pursuit of the American Dream. However, I think he believes that he will achieve it through the parties and socializing with people who are of a higher class. Gatsby seems to be content but deep down he is heartbroken and is covering up his emotions.
I think that all of the characters are searching for happiness. Some are going about it the right way while others are not. Nick is pursuing it the right way but Tom isn't. Gatsby is somewhere in between. None of the characters are close, though. Nick, I would say, is the least far away. Is fairly content, but not happy. He is not happy with his job. He chose bonds because so many other people were doing well in that field.
Gatsby is believed to be living The American Dream. In all reality though he is not. People are fooled by the hugh house, the cars, and the fancy parties. He is not as happy as Nick who is the character that is living The American Dream. HE is happy by just going along with the flow. Nick is just content to be with the people he hangs out with.
Everyone has made some rather tough arguments, however, If we take the American dream of the 1920's and contrast it with todays they are totally different. In those times it was about having a family, house, car, and job. I dont believe it was all about money then, and no maybe Nick isn't extraordinarily happy with his home and life. He is content. Content and being happy are two totally different things. Also, I never see him complaining about his life he simply states the facts that surround it. Therefore, I think that he is content and probably one of if not the only one living their American Dream......
I think that the American Dream is fulfilled by Gatsby in chapter 3. I mean, he is the one with the car, money, parties, friends, etc... Why wouldn't anyone want that life?? While I do think that Nick wants the American Dream, I don't really think that Nick can handle it. He is to "just here" for the American Dream. I mean Nick does what he's told, when he's told, regardless if he wants to or likes to.. I just think that Gatsby is the American Dream accomplisher throughout the third chapter.
If I was told to pick one character living the closest to the American Dream it would be Gatsby. Nick does seem to be in pursuit (as many stated above). Tom has the wife & house to fit the picture, but his character and lack of "2.5" children doesn't match up to meet the standards of the dream. I believe Gatsby is closest to it because he has the money, he has the house, and he has the character. Like Tyler said who wouldn't want his life?
BTW, I think I'm the last to post. GO PROCRASTINATION!!!
BTW Alex I don't think he hangs out with people that are of a higher class at his parties, I could be wrong but they are all Eastern Eggers, right? I totally made that up but it sounds cool. Right >_>
"The American Dream" of the 1920's was rather very simple, to have enough money to sustain a family and to have a nice house but I don't think that they all wanted cars I beleive that it was something NEW that they all thought about but it wasn't necessity it was luxary. Gatsby of course had a large sum of money and a car but no family. In many peoples' eyes they would say that he is happy but I beleive he isn't happy that he is just this rich guy living by himself throwing extravagant parties to past the time while he is obsessing over his lost love Daisy. Nick on the other hand is definately in the pursuit of "The American Dream" he may not have alot of money or a fancy house but he is also very jelous of what Gatsby has and I think that gives him more motivation to stive for "The American Dream".
The American dream is about being happy and having enough money to live on for your family and such. Tom and Daisy seem to be living the American dream with a few twists here and there. Gatsby is living the newer American dream and spends his money like "new money". they all have a sense for the american dream.
Many people have their own defination of the "american dream" but what everyone typically defines it as is just simply being happy whether it being material possessions or something as being in love with someone, just whatever makes us happy and to us we think that having all of th most updated material possessions makes us better than everyone else but in reality sometimes the people who have everything they want and more arent all that happy (like Gatsby) and others who are just struggling to get by are the happiest.
28 comments:
The American Dream really is nowadays just simply about being happy. In "The Great Gatsby" Tom and Daisy on the outside seem to be living their American Dream, but in actuality they are not. There is lies, deceit, pain, heartache, adultery, etc. Gatsby, on the other hand, seems to be content with himself, so far, and seems to be rather happy, he is rich and everyone knows him. Nick also seems to be happy and content with the life he is leading. He wanted to do bonds and now he is doing them. Jordan seems to be sad, but seems to be living her dream of playing golf, so she seems content as well. So in the story the people who seem to have it altogether really don't and the others are just content with who they are. So... I don't know. I guess for the most part they all have the sense of their American Dream, just some haven't achieved it yet!
About all of the people at the party in general...they are chasing happiness by going to these parties, but upon closer inspection they would realize that it is just a waste of time. They go to these parties that Gatsby graciously (as far as we know) throws and drink and socialize, but as Nick quickly observes, everyone goes around and greets people and forget them as soon as they leave sight.
Nick seems to be in search of the American Dream, but it is apparent that he knows that it is not found at these meaningless parties. He actually observes individuals and doesn't seem to forget them as easily as the rest of the population. It is this way right now, but Nick may be slowly corrupted by the poison of society. I don't know though, that is just a thought.
I disagree with Devin about Gatsby. Everyone views Gatsby as living The American Dream, but he is dealing with things that will eventually lead to some sort of destruction. To me, Nick is in pursuit of The American Dream, and he is the closest to it. He is content with his life and whatever happens in it. In the end, Nick will be the character who achieves The American Dream.
I agree and disagree with Devin. I agree most people only want happiness but you can only be so happy with life. Noone is perfect and perfection leads to happiness!
Although Gatsby has money and hosts big parties he is not perfect like most would think(or living the American Dream). To me he seems lonely and not content with life.
Nick, i agree with Devin, is in a career he enjoys and has wanted to do but only wants to live the American Dream yet still hasn't reached it.
I agree with Emert. I don't think Gatsby is living The American Dream. Just because he has money, a big house, and anything he could ever ask for he still seems lonely to me. I think by hosting big parties and having a lot of people over it makes him feel needed or wanted. Nick on the other hand has people who need or want him and a job that he seems to enjoy. In my opinion Nick is achieving The American Dream for the most part.
In chapter three I think Nick is struggling to achieve the American dream.I disagree with devin about Nick. In no way does Nick seem content, I believe that Nick is striving for a better life. He is clearly not thrilled with his less than spectacular house and envys Gatsby's home. Through this action, i believe its obviouse that the "American Dream" that the characters in the story are chasing are not of the 2.5 kids and a suburban home. The dream they want is more or less money related. Like the traditional "American Dream" happieness is chased, but not with family, but money. Gatsby, on the other hand is different. I believe, he is after the "traditional" American dream. Though Gatsby has money, happieness does not seem to be obtainable. it seems he is missing some sort of family-friend realationship.
"The American Dream" today I think is all about having EVERYTHING you want and MONEY. I disagree with Devin because, its not really if your happy or not its more about if you have the NEW in stuff, because people tend to think well if I have that or look like I have money then maybe they will accept or like me. In the Great Gatsby I believe thats how Gatsby is he is just putting on a front for everyone to accept him, because it really seems like in all honesty he doesent really care if he has a huge machion or large parties.. It seems to me he is just doing for people to accept and like him, because maybe if they knew the "REAL" GATSBY he might be afraid that they will not like him and maybe even be afraid of him.
I agree with the majority. I think the american dream is mostly about just being Happy. Being happy means different things to different people, but for the most part I would say gatsby, in his own eyes, is living the american dream. He has his money and he has his friends and his parties and that seems to make him happy for the most part.
I agree with Devin on his comment about Tom and Daisy because he's cheating on her, therefor leaving them both unhappy. Although on the outside it may look like they are happy, on the inside, if you know someone is cheating on you, you're not going to be happy. I also agree with Amanda when she said that the dream was more money related than about being happy. In the story it said that Nick lived on the West Egg, which was the less fashionable side.
I agree that the "American Dream" is to be happy with what you do and the life that you live. I also agree on Devin's comment about Tom and Daisy living the "American Dream" on the outside but in reality they aren't because Tom is cheating on Daisy, therefor making them both unhappy "underneath it all". I also agree with Amanda when she said that the "American Dream" in the story was all about money. On the "outside looking in", it seems that really that's all it's about...money, because in the story it says that Nick lives on the West Egg--the not so fashionable side.
The American Dream consists of different things for different people. I do agree with Amanda on the fact that it does consist of money in one way or another. To most it is needed to achieve their own (its kind of taken over in a way). As far as chapter three goes deciding whether the people at the party are in search or or have already found it and are enjoying it is hard to do. I would say that most of them are in search (i.e- the group of men huddled together, presuming they were talking about money, business etc.)
As far as Gatsby goes, if his ideal life and American Dream is of the money, car, "friends", and to be content with what he has, all he seems to be missing is the girl. hmmmmm. . . .. He seems to be a happy person who knows what he has and what he needs to do to get what he dosen't.
Nick on the other hand is a bit confused and is one who is in search.He has moved away from his original home and family (which you hope would be a happy place) wanting to take matters into his own hands and to be indepentent. His parents seemed to be pretty much set, and I feel that Nick wants to do for himself and needs to decide on what he wants. He has the want to find it, but i'm afraid he sits back and watches to much. He needs to start something for once (not just business, but the rest of life).
I agree with the fact that in all most of the characters just want to be happy which is ultimately the american dream. Gatsby is living it, Tom is still in search, Nick is a little more focused and sees more in life.I believe that gatsbys american dream is short lived and Tom, who is search of,will find the true american dream.
In Chapter Three we see Gatsby's as already having the American Dream and seeming content and happy with his life. We don't really learn of any of his thoughts or reasons for these parties until chapter four. We believe he is just trying to have fun and socialize and "live up life" with his new money and don't really see him as being in pursuit of anything.
I agree with Ryan though that Nick does seem to be in search of his American Dream but knows it's not going to come to him through these "meaningless" parties.
I agree that Gatsby is in pursuit of the American Dream. However, I think he believes that he will achieve it through the parties and socializing with people who are of a higher class. Gatsby seems to be content but deep down he is heartbroken and is covering up his emotions.
I think that all of the characters are searching for happiness. Some are going about it the right way while others are not. Nick is pursuing it the right way but Tom isn't. Gatsby is somewhere in between. None of the characters are close, though. Nick, I would say, is the least far away. Is fairly content, but not happy. He is not happy with his job. He chose bonds because so many other people were doing well in that field.
Gatsby is believed to be living The American Dream. In all reality though he is not. People are fooled by the hugh house, the cars, and the fancy parties. He is not as happy as Nick who is the character that is living The American Dream. HE is happy by just going along with the flow. Nick is just content to be with the people he hangs out with.
Everyone has made some rather tough arguments, however, If we take the American dream of the
1920's and contrast it with todays they are totally different. In those times it was about having a family, house, car, and job. I dont believe it was all about money then, and no maybe Nick isn't extraordinarily happy with his home and life. He is content. Content and being happy are two totally different things. Also, I never see him complaining about his life he simply states the facts that surround it. Therefore, I think that he is content and probably one of if not the only one living their American Dream......
I think that the American Dream is fulfilled by Gatsby in chapter 3. I mean, he is the one with the car, money, parties, friends, etc... Why wouldn't anyone want that life?? While I do think that Nick wants the American Dream, I don't really think that Nick can handle it. He is to "just here" for the American Dream. I mean Nick does what he's told, when he's told, regardless if he wants to or likes to.. I just think that Gatsby is the American Dream accomplisher throughout the third chapter.
If I was told to pick one character living the closest to the American Dream it would be Gatsby. Nick does seem to be in pursuit (as many stated above). Tom has the wife & house to fit the picture, but his character and lack of "2.5" children doesn't match up to meet the standards of the dream. I believe Gatsby is closest to it because he has the money, he has the house, and he has the character. Like Tyler said who wouldn't want his life?
BTW, I think I'm the last to post. GO PROCRASTINATION!!!
BTW Alex I don't think he hangs out with people that are of a higher class at his parties, I could be wrong but they are all Eastern Eggers, right? I totally made that up but it sounds cool. Right >_>
"The American Dream" of the 1920's was rather very simple, to have enough money to sustain a family and to have a nice house but I don't think that they all wanted cars I beleive that it was something NEW that they all thought about but it wasn't necessity it was luxary.
Gatsby of course had a large sum of money and a car but no family. In many peoples' eyes they would say that he is happy but I beleive he isn't happy that he is just this rich guy living by himself throwing extravagant parties to past the time while he is obsessing over his lost love Daisy.
Nick on the other hand is definately in the pursuit of "The American Dream" he may not have alot of money or a fancy house but he is also very jelous of what Gatsby has and I think that gives him more motivation to stive for "The American Dream".
I think that on the outside they all look like they are living the American Dream, But it seems that they are always looking for more.
The American dream is about being happy and having enough money to live on for your family and such. Tom and Daisy seem to be living the American dream with a few twists here and there. Gatsby is living the newer American dream and spends his money like "new money". they all have a sense for the american dream.
Many people have their own defination of the "american dream" but what everyone typically defines it as is just simply being happy whether it being material possessions or something as being in love with someone, just whatever makes us happy and to us we think that having all of th most updated material possessions makes us better than everyone else but in reality sometimes the people who have everything they want and more arent all that happy (like Gatsby) and others who are just struggling to get by are the happiest.
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