THE REPRESENTATION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THE GREAT GATSBY
Keywords:
American Dream, illusion, materialism, social class, Jazz Age, symbolism, wealth, morality, corruptionAbstract
This article explores the representation of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The American Dream, traditionally understood as the belief in upward mobility through hard work and determination, is critically examined in the context of the 1920s American society. This study employs a qualitative literary analysis method to investigate how Fitzgerald portrays the transformation of this ideal into a corrupted and unattainable illusion. Through the analysis of major characters, symbolic elements, and socio-economic context, the research reveals that the American Dream in the novel is distorted by materialism, social stratification, and moral decay. The findings suggest that Fitzgerald presents a pessimistic view of the American Dream, emphasizing its failure to provide genuine fulfillment or equality.
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