The Corruption of the American Dream
Ever wondered how the "land of opportunity" became a place where dreams turn into nightmares? The American Dream originally promised that hard work and determination could lead anyone to prosperity and happiness, rooted in the Declaration of Independence's guarantee of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
However, Fitzgerald shows us how this noble ideal became twisted in 1920s America. Jay Gatsby himself symbolises this corruption - he's so motivated by his love for Daisy that he abandons moral methods to achieve wealth. The character of Dan Cody represents the antithesis of the American Dream, showing the hard reality of how people actually got rich quickly but unlawfully during Prohibition.
The Valley of Ashes serves as a powerful symbol of what the American Dream really looks like for most people. Whilst Nick pursues wealth by learning the bond business, the novel critiques how materialism and immoral methods have replaced the original values of honest work and genuine happiness.
Key insight: America in the 1920s was corrupt and ignorant towards racism and inequality, making the American Dream accessible only through dishonest means.
