There are multiple ways that this question could be answered. From one perspective, it could be reasoned that Fitzgerald is condemning the American Dream entirely. Gatsby's idealization of Daisy is markedly similar to the ideals of the American Dream. Namely, an ideal of the American Dream is that anyone can achieve economic prosperity, regardless of background. Gatsby was born into a poor farming family in North Dakota. Daisy, on the other hand, was raised in...
There are multiple ways that this question could be answered. From one perspective, it could be reasoned that Fitzgerald is condemning the American Dream entirely. Gatsby's idealization of Daisy is markedly similar to the ideals of the American Dream. Namely, an ideal of the American Dream is that anyone can achieve economic prosperity, regardless of background. Gatsby was born into a poor farming family in North Dakota. Daisy, on the other hand, was raised in an wealthy family. It is no accident that Gatsby's idealization of Daisy and his consequent acquisition of wealth are interrelated, and it could be interpreted that Fitzgerald is using Daisy as a symbol to represent the monetary wealth that can be attained within the framework of the American Dream. If this is the case, then Fitzgerald is clearly critical of the idealistic nature of such a "Dream," for it ultimately consumes Gatsby's life completely and results in his premature death. Another character to consider is Tom Buchanan, a man who has already achieved the American Dream, but nevertheless seems very unhappy. Also consider Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson, or Nick Carraway. The fates of all these characters could be interpreted as representing the American Dream in some way.
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