Gatsby's had the idea that there were years ahead of him and that he could live life for the moment. He had all the material gains that a man could dream of and thought he would get Daisy in the end. The American dream became a dream of a big house and a white picket fence and the perfect carefree life. The last page is about what happens when that dream is not realized. Every possesion began to melt away and in the end the water still rippled and life moved on.
Gatsby didn’t expect his life to end short, he lived in the present. Gatsby lived the extravagant life of the jazz age, loving to spend money and was used to getting what he wanted. He would dream big and hope to get what he dreamed about, at this time Daisy. American dreams are relevant because the capacity to dream is what made the country to begin with, and it's what still defines us as Americans. Americans will always have the dreams of living on the high end and living a happy life. But the question is, will Americans dreams falter like Gatsby’s did.
Your last question is also Nick's question, and -- by extension -- Fitzgerald's? If the American dream is predicated solely on the making of money, is the dream already dead?
Gatsby expected to live for a very long time. He lived his life the way he wanted to, not worrying about what wold happen later. He went from nothing to a lot, which is the American Dream. He never had to worry about having the essentials, so he was able to have fun. He was getting popular more and more throughout his life, until his life ended instantly and unexpectedly.
That Gatsby was living in the moment. He was not worried about what was to come. All he was worried about was his dream. Gatsby's dream at the time just happened to be getting Gatsby. Also that Gatsby thought that by living in the moment he is living the American dream. He had the big house and all he needed was Daisy. This is important because everyone wants the American dream. Gatsby almost had it, that was until his life was ended.
Gatsby was living the dream life of the jazz age-people who came from nothing, but had dreams to be something. It was a booming time of art, music, rich parties, big houses and Gatsby had it all. He had all the material things that he wanted, but still wasn't happy. I think Fitzgerald's point in the last couple paragraphs of the book is that the material things were never what mattered. Everyone lives and everyone is going to die at some point. Possessions and other things of that nature tend to preoccupy us, but there are things more important in life. There are bigger reasons why we are here. Gatsby's life was missing Daisy and it was his dream to have her. Death occurs everyday and life still moves on, so it’s important to live life while you have the chance.
Gatsby's dream emulates the American Dream. In the same way many Americans dream of the possibilities this country offers, especially during the prosperous “Roaring Twenties”, Gatsby had great ambitions to be wealthy and marry the woman he loved. Nick explains that because of these dreams, people continue for years to struggle against a “current” that most shall not overcome. In the end, Gatsby has spent over five years waiting to be with Daisy, but eventually fails and loses his life.
Of course, nobody could no (not even Fitzgerald), that shortly after the novel's publication, America's dream of wealth would come crumbling down with the advent of the Great Depression.
Gatsby felt as though he was not going to die anytime soon. He lived in the moment having all his parties, big house, and extravagant stuff, and he hoped someday to win over Daisy. Which is the American dream nice house, nice stuff, and a wife and kids. And the last page is what happens when that dream isn't accomplished.
Gatsby was living his life in the present without thinking of what may happen in the future. The actions Gatsby made were very similar to the American dream. He had a big house and wanted to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved, just like any other person that lives in America. Sadly, because of this, he came to his death. Like Nick said in the last page, many people try to achieve this dream, but can't because there is a current that basically takes them away from this goal.
Gatsby didn’t expect to die as soon as he did. He lived in the present extravagant life of the jazz age, he loved to spend money. He would dream big and hope to get what he dreamed about, at this time Daisy.THe last page speaks of the "American dream." American dreams are relevant because dreaming is what made the country to begin in the first place, and it is still a huge part in society today for Americans. If we no longer dream than how would new technology continue to flourish the world. Dreaming is American society.
Gatsby lived a pretty care-free life, he had all the possessions he wanted - a house, a car, real estate, and whatever else rich people bought in the 20s. But the dream in his heart was to be with Daisy. This dream was destroyed by Wilson, but the cause of this is mostly Tom. Nick talks about the the American dream and how people differ in the west and the east. The American dream is pretty materialistic - a nice house, a perfect family, and a car. Nick makes a reference to boats in a current when he is talking about achieving dreams. He says in the end that it is inevitable that the current will push the boat backwards eventually. Gatsby wanted to achieve his dream of a lasting relationship with Daisy - but the current washed him away from it too soon.
Even if he had accomplished his goal of winning back Daisy, would he have been happy? Would their relationship, based on what we've seen in the novel, have lasted?
On the last page, I think Gatsby really becomes a person in the novel. We see what his hopes and dreams were- having everything he ever wanted, the money, the house, the carefree lifestyle. And by seeing the green light on Daisy's dock every night, he even believed he would eventually get the girl. Similar to the American dream today, Gatsby's wishes are what most people would also long for. But in the end, what does all that even matter? Gatsby was buried with three people at his funeral. I think the American dream might be more about being happy today than having material wealth, just as Nick said. He was better off back home.
Gatsby's had the idea that there were years ahead of him and that he could live life for the moment. He had all the material gains that a man could dream of and thought he would get Daisy in the end. The American dream became a dream of a big house and a white picket fence and the perfect carefree life. The last page is about what happens when that dream is not realized. Every possesion began to melt away and in the end the water still rippled and life moved on.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely said, Amber.
DeleteGatsby didn’t expect his life to end short, he lived in the present. Gatsby lived the extravagant life of the jazz age, loving to spend money and was used to getting what he wanted. He would dream big and hope to get what he dreamed about, at this time Daisy. American dreams are relevant because the capacity to dream is what made the country to begin with, and it's what still defines us as Americans. Americans will always have the dreams of living on the high end and living a happy life. But the question is, will Americans dreams falter like Gatsby’s did.
ReplyDeleteYour last question is also Nick's question, and -- by extension -- Fitzgerald's? If the American dream is predicated solely on the making of money, is the dream already dead?
DeleteGatsby expected to live for a very long time. He lived his life the way he wanted to, not worrying about what wold happen later. He went from nothing to a lot, which is the American Dream. He never had to worry about having the essentials, so he was able to have fun. He was getting popular more and more throughout his life, until his life ended instantly and unexpectedly.
ReplyDeleteBut did he live the way HE wanted to, or the way he thought Daisy expected him to live?
DeleteThat Gatsby was living in the moment. He was not worried about what was to come. All he was worried about was his dream. Gatsby's dream at the time just happened to be getting Gatsby. Also that Gatsby thought that by living in the moment he is living the American dream. He had the big house and all he needed was Daisy. This is important because everyone wants the American dream. Gatsby almost had it, that was until his life was ended.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the moment he was living in was a past moment, back when he and Daisy were young(er) and happy.
DeleteGatsby was living the dream life of the jazz age-people who came from nothing, but had dreams to be something. It was a booming time of art, music, rich parties, big houses and Gatsby had it all. He had all the material things that he wanted, but still wasn't happy. I think Fitzgerald's point in the last couple paragraphs of the book is that the material things were never what mattered. Everyone lives and everyone is going to die at some point. Possessions and other things of that nature tend to preoccupy us, but there are things more important in life. There are bigger reasons why we are here. Gatsby's life was missing Daisy and it was his dream to have her. Death occurs everyday and life still moves on, so it’s important to live life while you have the chance.
ReplyDeleteSo did Gatsby waste his life collecting material wealth only to attract Daisy?
DeleteGatsby's dream emulates the American Dream. In the same way many Americans dream of the possibilities this country offers, especially during the prosperous “Roaring Twenties”, Gatsby had great ambitions to be wealthy and marry the woman he loved. Nick explains that because of these dreams, people continue for years to struggle against a “current” that most shall not overcome. In the end, Gatsby has spent over five years waiting to be with Daisy, but eventually fails and loses his life.
ReplyDeleteOf course, nobody could no (not even Fitzgerald), that shortly after the novel's publication, America's dream of wealth would come crumbling down with the advent of the Great Depression.
DeleteGatsby felt as though he was not going to die anytime soon. He lived in the moment having all his parties, big house, and extravagant stuff, and he hoped someday to win over Daisy. Which is the American dream nice house, nice stuff, and a wife and kids. And the last page is what happens when that dream isn't accomplished.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens specifically on the last page that runs counter to the American Dream, Jimmy?
DeleteGatsby was living his life in the present without thinking of what may happen in the future. The actions Gatsby made were very similar to the American dream. He had a big house and wanted to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved, just like any other person that lives in America. Sadly, because of this, he came to his death. Like Nick said in the last page, many people try to achieve this dream, but can't because there is a current that basically takes them away from this goal.
ReplyDeleteDo we give up or keep on trying? What if there is no longer a dream (shore) to row toward?
DeleteGatsby didn’t expect to die as soon as he did. He lived in the present extravagant life of the jazz age, he loved to spend money. He would dream big and hope to get what he dreamed about, at this time Daisy.THe last page speaks of the "American dream." American dreams are relevant because dreaming is what made the country to begin in the first place, and it is still a huge part in society today for Americans. If we no longer dream than how would new technology continue to flourish the world. Dreaming is American society.
ReplyDeleteThe problem becomes: What happens when the American dream is corrupted and becomes ONLY about the acquisition of wealth?
DeleteGatsby lived a pretty care-free life, he had all the possessions he wanted - a house, a car, real estate, and whatever else rich people bought in the 20s. But the dream in his heart was to be with Daisy. This dream was destroyed by Wilson, but the cause of this is mostly Tom. Nick talks about the the American dream and how people differ in the west and the east. The American dream is pretty materialistic - a nice house, a perfect family, and a car. Nick makes a reference to boats in a current when he is talking about achieving dreams. He says in the end that it is inevitable that the current will push the boat backwards eventually. Gatsby wanted to achieve his dream of a lasting relationship with Daisy - but the current washed him away from it too soon.
ReplyDeleteEven if he had accomplished his goal of winning back Daisy, would he have been happy? Would their relationship, based on what we've seen in the novel, have lasted?
DeleteOn the last page, I think Gatsby really becomes a person in the novel. We see what his hopes and dreams were- having everything he ever wanted, the money, the house, the carefree lifestyle. And by seeing the green light on Daisy's dock every night, he even believed he would eventually get the girl. Similar to the American dream today, Gatsby's wishes are what most people would also long for. But in the end, what does all that even matter? Gatsby was buried with three people at his funeral. I think the American dream might be more about being happy today than having material wealth, just as Nick said. He was better off back home.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Gatsby almost had it all, but the one part he couldn't achieve ruined everything else.
ReplyDelete