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Argumentative Essay: The American Nightmare in The Great Gatsby

Gabriela P. Rodríguez Fontánez

English Deparment,

Universidad de Puerto Rico en Carolina

INGL-3104 M06: Intermediate English II

Prof. Craig Graham

March 26, 2024.

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author, makes a fresh take on the American

dream, portraying it as both an elusive ideal and a source of disillusionment. While some argue

that the novel represents the American Nightmare, it also illustrates the resilience and

determination inherent in pursuing one’s aspirations. Through its portrayal of moral decay,

shattered dreams, and the pursuit of wealth at any cost, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

unmistakably embodies the American nightmare, challenging conventional notions of the

American Dream.

The American Dream is the belief that anyone regardless of who they are or where they

come from will succeed in life in America, in other words, get filthy rich if they just work hard

enough for it. The American dream represents the fun and happy part of American society that

ignores all their problems some like tax evasion, racism, misogyny, and income inequality. It also

depicts Americans as equal and embracing society when America in reality is heavily based on

hierarchy. The 1920s, in which the story is set, is the best example of it due to the increased

immigration, and the beginning of women’s rights (Dr. Anna Wulick, 2017). Throughout the

novel, we see how Fitzgerald portrays the moral decay and corruption among the characters, the

emptiness and dissatisfaction that come with material wealth, and the tragic endings marked by

death and disillusionment.

People say that The Great Gatsby portrays instances of moral integrity and opportunities

for redemption. As F. Scott Fitzgerald concludes, 'So we beat on, boats against the current, borne

back ceaselessly into the past,' highlighting the characters' (chapter 9) enduring struggle against

societal currents and personal histories. Jay Gatsby's involvement in illegal activities such as

bootlegging could be seen as compromising his moral integrity; however, his unwavering love

for Daisy Buchanan and his pursuit of the American Dream demonstrates his belief in the
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possibility of redemption through love. Nick Carraway, the narrator, serves as the moral compass

offering insights into the characters’ motivations and behaviors while maintaining some sort of

moral integrity despite being involved in the lavish society and seeing the shortcomings of the

morally corrupted around him. Furthermore, the tragic fate of George Wilson, the garage owner,

emphasizes the consequences of moral decay and the relentless pursuit of the American Dream at

any cost. Despite his initial integrity and hard work, he becomes consumed by jealousy and

despair, ultimately leading to his downfall, in which doing so ends Jay Gatsby’s life as well. In

essence, The Great Gatsby certainly portrays instances of moral decay and corruption amongst

its characters while offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of human nature and

challenging the simplistic notion that the pursuit of the American Dream inevitably leads to

moral bankruptcy.

Opponents say that money and material give happiness and fulfillment to the person,

which leads to satisfaction. They say that this is portrayed in the novel, which is not true. The

Great Gatsby portrays the emptiness and dissatisfaction that often accompany wealth. Despite

Tom Buchanan’s wealth and social status, he remains discontented and unfulfilled, seeking

satisfaction through extramarital affairs and indulgences. Similarly, Daisy Buchanan, despite her

luxurious lifestyle and societal privilege, is depicted as emotionally shallow and ultimately

unfulfilled. Her marriage to Tom, rooted in wealth and status rather than love, leaves her longing

for deeper meaning. Moreover, Gatsby himself, despite amassing vast wealth and hosting

extravagant parties, is driven by an unattainable ideal, a version of Daisy and the happiness he

associates with her. As Daisy herself expresses, "I've been everywhere and seen everything and

done everything... Sophisticated—God, I'm sophisticated!" (chapter 1) - This proclamation

reflects Daisy's disillusionment and emptiness despite her life of luxury and privilege,

underscoring the idea that material wealth and social status do not necessarily lead to genuine

happiness or fulfillment. Thus, The Great Gatsby challenges the notion that material wealth

alone can bring genuine happiness, revealing the inherent emptiness behind the facade of wealth

and status.

Opponents argue for the triumph and hopeful endings despite the challenges that all the

characters went through. All the characters remain hopeful that they can start over and rebuild

their lives after all the bad things they all went through. However, the novel predominantly

portrays tragic endings marked by death and disillusionment. The death of Jay Gatsby himself

stands as a stark example of the tragic ending as he never got to be with Daisy after spending all

those years devoting himself to building his empire just to be with her. Despite his relentless

pursuit of the American Dream, he met his demise, alone and betrayed, all his dreams shattered

and unaccomplished by the harsh reality of the Jazz Age Society. Even Nick Carraway, the

novel's narrator, and seemingly detached observer, is left disillusioned and morally conflicted by

the end of the novel. His disillusionment with the corrupt and morally bankrupt society depicted

in the novel leads him to reject the superficiality and excesses of the wealthy elite, ultimately

marking his departure from the East. As Nick himself reflects, "I was within and without,

simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life." (chapter 2) - This

internal conflict reflects Nick's complex feelings towards the society he encounters, capturing the

ambivalence and disillusionment he experiences as he navigates the world of the wealthy elite.

While some may anticipate triumph and hopeful endings in The Great Gatsby, the novel's

narrative is predominantly characterized by tragic endings marked by death and disillusionment,

offering a sobering portrayal of the American Dream's elusive nature and the harsh realities of

the Jazz Age society.

Opponents say that the key to happiness can come from material possessions or social

status and often argue that the American dream promotes the idea that happiness stems from

acquiring wealth and achieving a high social status. However, material wealth and social status

don’t impact people’s happiness those are the most detached, lonely, unhappy, and materialistic

people. Furthermore, numerous examples from literature and real-life experiences illustrate the

nature of happiness derived from material possessions and social status. Numerous examples

from literature and real-life experiences demonstrate that true happiness cannot be found in

material possessions or social status. In The Great Gatsby, characters like Jay Gatsby and Tom

Buchanan emphasize their pursuit of The American Dream, yet their lives are marked by

disillusionment and unfulfilled desires. This highlights the emptiness of pursuing material wealth

and social status. "Can't repeat the past?... Why of course you can!" (Chapter. 6) symbolizes the

relentless pursuit of external markers of success, which often leads individuals astray from true

happiness. Moreover, studies have shown that happiness is not solely determined by external

factors like income and status. Rather, it is influenced by a combination of factors including

genetics, relationships, and personal values. People who prioritize relationships and experiences

over material possessions tend to be happier overall. Therefore, while the American Dream may

promote the idea that material wealth and social status are pathways to happiness, it is important

to recognize that true happiness cannot be found in these external factors. Instead, happiness

comes from within and is influenced by various factors unique to everyone.

While opponents say that dreams push people to beat tough realities, a closer examination

reveals the stark contrast between dreams and harsh realities. Despite the idealized portrayal of

the American Dream as a source of motivation and perseverance, the pursuit of dreams often

leads to disillusionment and disappointment. In The Great Gatsby, characters like Jay Gatsby and

Tom Buchanan exemplify the relentless pursuit of their dreams, yet their lives are marked by

tragedy and unfulfilled aspirations. Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and social status ultimately ends in

his demise, highlighting the harsh realities and sacrifices that accompany the pursuit of the

American Dream. He pursued all the wealth and popularity for Daisy, only to end up without her

and dead. Moreover, the pursuit of dreams can perpetuate inequality and societal injustices.

While the American Dream promises equal opportunity for success to all individuals, the reality

is that socioeconomic factors often limit access to opportunities and hinder upward mobility.

Characters like George Wilson in The Great Gatsby exemplify the struggles of individuals

trapped in the cycle of poverty, unable to achieve their dreams despite their hard work and

determination. Additionally, the pursuit of dreams can lead to moral compromise and ethical

dilemmas. In their quest for success, characters in The Great Gatsby engage in deceit,

manipulation, and betrayal, sacrificing their integrity to pursue their dreams. Jay Gatsby's illegal

activities and Tom Buchanan's extramarital affairs underscore the moral complexities and

compromises inherent in the pursuit of the American Dream, challenging the notion that dreams

inherently lead to virtuous outcomes. In essence, while the American Dream may promote the

idea that dreams inspire individuals to overcome tough realities, the contrast between dreams and

harsh realities depicted in literature like The Great Gatsby reveals the complexities and

limitations of this idealized pursuit. Similarly, Jordan Baker's observation about large parties in

Chapter 4 underscores the superficiality and lack of genuine connection in the extravagant
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lifestyles depicted in the novel, further emphasizing the emptiness and disillusionment inherent

in the pursuit of the American Dream.

Despite the idea that relationships are seen as ways to get ahead, revealing the

competitive nature of the American Dream, a closer examination exposes the prevalence of

shallow and empty relationships driven by self-interest. Contrary to the belief that relationships

are instrumental in achieving success, many interpersonal connections in pursuit of the American

Dream are shallow and transactional. In The Great Gatsby, characters like Tom Buchanan and

Daisy Buchanan engage in extramarital affairs and exploit their relationships for personal gain,

demonstrating the superficiality and self-serving nature of these connections. Moreover, the

competitive nature of the American Dream often fosters a culture of betrayal and manipulation in

relationships. Characters like Jay Gatsby manipulate others and engage in deceitful behavior to

further their ambitions, prioritizing personal gain over genuine human connections. This

highlights the corrosive impact of the competitive pursuit of success on the authenticity and

sincerity of relationships. Additionally, the prevalence of materialism and individualism in

pursuing the American Dream undermines the value of genuine human connections. In a society

focused on material wealth and social status, relationships become commodified and

instrumentalized, reducing them to mere means to an end rather than meaningful connections

built on trust and mutual respect. This devaluation of relationships further perpetuates the cycle

of shallow and empty connections driven by self-interest. In essence, while relationships may be

perceived as avenues to achieve success in the competitive landscape of the American Dream,

the prevalence of shallow and empty relationships driven by self-interest undermines their

intrinsic value and authenticity. As Nick Carraway reflects on Tom Buchanan's actions, in
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chapter 9, justifying them as entirely self-serving, it underscores the moral ambiguity and self-

serving nature of relationships in the pursuit of personal interests, further emphasizing the

prevalence of shallow and empty connections driven by self-interest in the pursuit of the

American Dream.

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the portrayal of the American Dream is

multifaceted, challenging traditional ideals and revealing the darker realities of societal

aspirations. Despite arguments for moral integrity and opportunities for redemption, the narrative

predominantly portrays tragic endings marked by death and disillusionment. We must recognize

the pitfalls of the American Dream as depicted in The Great Gatsby and take proactive measures

to avoid repeating them by acknowledging the emptiness and disillusionment that often

accompany material success. We must prioritize moral integrity and authenticity in our pursuit of

happiness, ensuring that our actions align with our values and principles. Failure to address the

pitfalls of the American Dream depicted in The Great Gatsby will likely result in continued

disillusionment and despair for individuals who relentlessly pursue material success at any cost.

Without a shift in mindset and societal values, we risk perpetuating a cycle of moral decay and

societal inequality.
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Works cited:

1. Wulick, A. (n.d.). Best analysis: The American Dream in the Great

Gatsby. https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-great-gatsby-american-dream

2. Vanourek, G. (2024, January 15). Are We More Materialistic Than We’d Like to

Admit? GREGG

VANOUREK. https://greggvanourek.com/are-we-more-materialistic/#:~:text=Their

%20findings%3F,%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20substance%20abuse.

3. Kumar, D. (2024, March 24). The Great Gatsby's Lessons On Wealth And Money | Altoo

AG. Altoo AG. https://altoo.io/the-great-gatsbys-lessons-on-wealth-and-money/

#:~:text=In%20The%20Great%20Gatsby%2C%20money,the%20joy%20he%20once

%20felt.

References:

1. Fitzgerald, F. S. (2003). The Great Gatsby: The Only Authorized Edition. Simon and

Schuster.

2. Rodriguez, G. P. (2024, March 7) Argumentative Essay: The American Nightmare in The

Great Gatsby