The idea of American dream

Popular US author James Adams developed the concept of the American dream in his novel “Epic of America” published in 1931. The American dream is defined as the desire for a nation where everyone’s life would be fuller, richer, and better, with chances for each person based on their aptitude and accomplishments. The phrase “American dream” refers to the desire for happiness and prosperity, symbolized by having a home in the US. Although this definition was originally limited to immigrants, it is currently applicable to the complete population, with the exception of the wealthiest Americans. Nowadays owning a home or a house in US is difficult for middle and low class citizens as is it to immigrants. The only people who can easily own a home in US are the rich families.

The basic characteristics of American dream are being successful in financial, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of life. As an American you dream of owning a place, having a great family, having big cars and having financial independence. Therefore an individual will be deemed successful if all the above aspects are achieved. To be able to determine success once an individual have their own home or house, owns a big car and have attained financial dependence by having own company as opposed to formal employment.

Finance Aspect

The financial aspect of the American dream drives people in making their own businesses that is every American strive to make their own companies or organizations. By creating own company an individual is assured of constant stream of money ensuring that the individual is independent. The motive for creating a business is encouraged by low number of businesses that fail in US. The low level of startup business failure in US is attributed to government efforts in ensuring an enabling environment for the business to thrive. Therefore, the finance aspect of American dream is driven by the wish of every American and immigrants into the US of having more wealth (Tami, 88).

The Interview

An understanding of the American dream from other people aspects revealed that most people view the dream as a wish to accumulate great wealth inform of finances and material wealth such as homes, big cars and a company. Of the people interviewed they viewed the dream as being successful in all aspects of life such as having a happy family which have access to top material commodities in US. Others viewed the dream as having power, influence and ability to create employment. One of the people interviewed responded by saying that “my dream is to have a big house in California or close to a beach”. Another respondent said that ”I dream of owning a house, two big cars and family of two children”. These are some of the responses from the people interviewed. A conclusion can be drawn that the American dream is universal to most if not all Americans that of owning a home and financial independence (David, 120).

These responses give an individual a sense of having American dream and may act as a driving force towards achieving certain goals. The responses forms a basis for reformulation of dreams in life since success as defined by people interviewed is having financial independence and owning home, meaning that other aspects of life in America should be carried out with the ultimate aim of attaining financial independence and owning a house or home for those who do not have one to inherit.

The Great Gatsby

Gatsby as described in the novel is a great young, mysterious millionaire. He is obsessed with Daisy a beautiful woman from Louisville whom he had met when he was a junior World War I military officer in Louisville. In Gatsby early life he had a beautiful relationship with Daisy. This changed when he went for war, Daisy Married a wealthy man, Tom. Gatsby is blindly in love with Daisy that He changes his Identity and finally dying for the sake of love

Upon return from war Gatsby realized that Daisy was now married to Tom whom was in a higher social class because of his wealth. Gatsby decided to work his ways in order to reach Tom’s social standard. Gatsby acquire wealth in questionable ways. He ends up buying a house near Daisy’s House and starts organizing parties which he never enjoys participating in. In this case Gatsby is in self-denial and extravagant spending (Michael, 20). He goes further and makes friendships for his own self benefit. He believes that by doing these, Daisy would one day love him again. Daisy is not a fool but a wise woman who have foregone her feelings and decided to chase wealth and possessions. For her a wise woman is one who uses her beauty to get whatever she needs.

Gatsby undergoes dramatic change in his life. He starts by changing his name, originally, he was known as ”James Gatz.” He changes his name to Jay Gatsby because of his disgraced past of failing to reproduce convincingly Daisy’s love. He blindly believes in his heart that his new beginning can bring him prosperous future and greater hope (Michael, 22). He uses this quote to justify his actions ”There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired”. After Gatsby doing away with his past, Wolfshiem and he purchased lots of side street drug stores in Louisville and Chicago where they sold drug. His wish to have Daisy as his lover overtook his brain to warrant his deeds. His love for Daisy acted like a blinding light that evoked Gatsby into carrying out unlawful undertakings. He neglected his ungrateful past and moved onto his new, evil creation, Jay Gatsby.

As Gatsby and Daisy were driving back home Daisy knock and kills Myrtle ”Angry and half in love with her, and tremendously sorry” Gatsby turned away and decided to take blame on behalf of Daisy for killing Tom’s Mistress, Myrtle, which ends up ruining his life (Michael, 23). Myrtle husband upon realizing that it was Gatsby vehicle that killed her wife he arrives at Gatsby mansion and shot both himself and Gatsby. Due to blind love that Gatsby had for Daisy he died a mysterious death in his own mansion.

Conclusion

In conclusion the novel describes Gatsby as someone who lived in the Jazz period. Gatsby gave away his life, ruined Daisy’s marriage and made friends which he only exploited for his own self benefit. The narrator explained the evil side of Gatsby and the extend he went to be able to capture Daisy’s love. As seen in the interview and the book American dream can be achieved with the right mind set and continuous state support of local businesses.

Work Cited

Michael, Jones Baz Luhmann eyes ‘Great Gatsby’ Variety, Reed Business Information, 2008.

David, Kamp. ”Rethinking the American Dream.” Vanity Fair, Apr. 2009, http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/04/american-dream200904. Accessed 1 May 2017.

Jonas, Clark. ” In Search of the American Dream.” The Atlantic, Jun.2007, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/06/in-search-of-the-american-dream/305921/. Accessed 1May 2017.

Tami, Luhby. ”The American Dream is out of reach.” CNN, Jun. 2014, http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/04/news/economy/american-dream/. Accessed 1 May 2017.