In Sandler, Kamp and Cooper’s literate we get a sense of different versions of the American Dream from different author’s perspectives. I agree with all diverse reviews and believe that with each upcoming generation, and each individual’s unique life story, everyone carries their own version of the American Dream, and has their own goals and ambitions in life that they wish to reach. I don’t think in today’s society is it only about achieving a high name or a lot of wealth, but to have a balance in life amongst personal life and your career. Although societal and economical and financial pressure is on full force, it is necessary to stay focused and work hard in order to reach your goals and you will surely reach success, your American Dream. I do not necessarily think we are in a place of dystopia. I think it can be seen that way if we choose to sit at home and not work towards our goals and dreams, however if you are putting in effort, the world and society will seem much more pleasant because you are receiving benefits and positive outcomes from your actions. So, it can be see either way, depending on your attitude and work ethic. One of the lessons brought by this book, The Great Gatsby, is never run after something or be so caught up on it that you start to lose the good things in your life. For example, his ambition and craze towards Daisy led him to make some bad choices and spend a lot of money, which really did not get him anywhere, or get him what he wanted, Daisy. So, if you know something is not in your control, you should just accept that and move on to bigger things in life and focus on your next achievement. I don’t think he would have ever fit into Daisy’s high class world, because she wanted wealth, he wanted love, and I think this happen for the better that he was not able to win her love as he was with her wealthier husband, Tom who was characterized as being arrogant, and a hypocritical bully. He was portrayed as a racist and sexist, who only demanded respect form others but never gave it back in return. He was also considered unfaithful because he was having an extramarital affair with Myrtle, and cheating on his wife, Daisy whom Gatsby was madly in love with. I believe the statement from The Rolling Stones about getting what you need versus what you want is true in the terms of Gatsby because he did not get what he wanted, Daisy, but he got what he needed, wealth and a good lifestyle where he was able to support himself, so, everything happen for the better and for his benefit, since Daisy was with her husband Tom, Gatsby should have learned that she was a gold digger and true love did not mean anything to her, at least not more than wealth.
1. “He was content to be alone- he stretched out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way, and as far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light.” This quote is from Jay Gatsby, Nick’s new neighbor that sees a green light shining from the dock of Daisy Buchanan, whom Gatsby is in love with. The green light in this sense, symbolizes the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth and desire- that Gatsby never achieves. This quote can be relatable in my own life by symbolizing a green light shining towards my path to success, telling me to “Go for it, now is the right time” I think this quote is great for explaining how Gatsby was feeling and can be relatable to many others as well.
2. “Somebody told me that he killed a man once. It’s more important that he was a German spy during the war. You look at him sometimes when he thinks nobody’s looking at him. I bet he killed a man.” This quote was one of the spreading rumors about Gatsby traveling in the community. This shows that if you are too much in the eyes of society, people start to envy you and become jealous, which starts false rumors to get others to turn against you. His dark past, just like of Richard Wright who was a drunk and stole from others, still haunts him to this day. This quote shows that even if you move forward, your past is still a part of who you are, and along with wealth and success, comes obstacles such as jealous society members and false rumors, and it is up to your understanding how you handle these rumors and do not hurt your image or let it get in the way of your success.
3. “The modesty of the demand shook me. He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths- so that he could come over some afternoon to a stranger’s garden” (pg. 71). This quote, states all the attempts Gatsby took to win Daisy’s love; he had a mansion, threw lavish parties for five years in hope that Daisy would show up to one of them. This symbolizes hope and determination; I think if you put your mind to one thing and you put a lot of energy, time and money towards it and, but it still does not come to you, then it’s time to stop trying that path and move on to something else, maybe that was not meant for you, just like Daisy not arriving because she is married to somebody more wealthier than Gatsby.
4. “Her voice is full of money.” Pg. 107. This quote is talking about when Nick was attempting to explain Daisy’s attitudes meanwhile Gatsby comes and says this statement of her voice. I think this quote is related to the motif of the story of Gatsby being so in love with Daisy that even her voice is comparable to one of the wealthiest items on earth, money. This quote shows both important things in life, in my interpretation: love and money. He was comparing a high wealth (money) to the simplest thing, his lover’s voice, something that is so hard to earn with something so simple, just because she means so much to him, more than his money.
Student 2: Viviana Vega
This week's reading and questions make me think of the phrase, "Not everything that glitters is gold".
I think that today's American dream does encourage one to aspire to a level of financially stability, however I'd also like to believe that the ultimate dream comes with happiness. I would agree and say that the economic pressures do enhance the desires of wanting to attain wealth. The lesson of Gatsby's experience provide the readers with a journey of morality. Despite his financial status and the ability to show off, ultimately he was alone, desiring someone else's life. Gatsby hoped for happiness and while doing so he slowly lost himself trying to attain it. Even if he were to end up with Daisy, they were two totally different people, their lives together would not fuse. It's different when both genuinely feel the same and make the same amount of efforts, but in this case Gatsby clearly wanted this new life with Daisy more. He built his life surrounding what could be, not what was. In chapter 5, Page 92; "If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay," said Gatsby. "You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock." This shows that Gatsby's purposeful view of Daisy's home is one of his actions trying to gain something that isn't his. He could have moved anywhere, but chose to be across the bay from her.
Daisy's husband Tom appears to be quite selfish and an attention seeker. In addition to being unfaithful and deceitful, he is a man who cannot be trusted. Tom wants to be seen by everyone and wants to held in high regards. In the end, Tom essentially wins, but looses everything at the same time. Tom looses Myrtle, Daisy looses Gatsby, both Tom and Daisy will never fully be happy and therefore no amount of money will ever replace the emotions. For Tom, the weight of Myrtle's death will forever be with him. In chapter 4, page 61 Nick says the following; But I can still read the grey names, and they will give you a better impression than my generalities of those who accepted Gatsby's hospitality and paid him the subtle tribute of knowing nothing about him. This reference I feel echo's Tom's life. People will invest time to him, but would not recognize him elsewhere. Just like in chapter 9, page 171, Meyer Wolfsheim says, " I can't do it- I can't get mixed up in it." This reference is to Gatsby and his death, but I believe this is how I see people would also treat Tom based on his ego and personality.
In the end, I think that all the characters got what was deserved rather than what they wanted. They all were able to do what they wanted until what they wanted affected their lives. Gatsby, Tom, Myrtle, and Daisy all knew that there lives would not permit the decisions they opted for. In doing so, they need up all emotionally scared and hurt or dead. All these characters wanted attention and to feel loved. They wanted to feel appreciated, valued, and have someone seeking them. Nick as an outsider saw the demise happening as we can read throughout the book. In the beginning of the book, page 57, Nick expresses the following, " Again at eight o'clock, when the dark lanes of the Forties were five deep with throbbing taxicabs, bound for the theater distric, I felt a sinking in my heart. Forms leaned together in the taxis as they waited, and voices sang, and there was laughter from unheard jokes, and lighted cigarettes outlined unintelligible gestures inside. Imagining that I, too, was hurrying toward gait and sharing their intimate excitements, I wished them well."
This quote for me spesk volumes for Nick's role throughout the book and in the lives of all the characters. He is in an awkward position and as an outsider he wanted to be part of, but was not. Like the ultimate ending Nick is left with Gatsby's funeral and the burden of knowing that all of the deaths and pain could have been avoided. I'm sure he wished he would have just wished them well and stayed to himself.
I believe, Fitzgerald wanted to portray a life of desire and wealth to show how greed can affect your life.