An Introduction to the Idea and its Development THE AMERICAN DREAM An Introduction to the Idea and its Development
WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM? Phrase first coined in 1931, by James Truslow Adams: citizens of every rank feel that they can achieve a "better, richer, and happier life.“ Democratic ideas mean that the American people can achieve prosperity through hard work. An idea that has made the United States an attractive destination for many immigrants.
WHAT MAKES AMERICA (THEORETICALLY) DIFFERENT? Many European caste systems do not allow much movement up through the social classes – if you’re born poor, chances are that you will remain poor. This idea is also still alive in India. Westward expansion started from Europe to the U.S., then from the East Coast to the Midwest to the West Coast. The frontier seemed endless.
HORATIO ALGER Alger was a 19th Century American novelist who wrote stories about young, poor boys who would move to the west and create a successful life for themselves through hard work. Most famous example of combining the ideas of Westward Expansion, the “Self-Made Man,” and “Pulling Yourself Up From Your Bootstraps.”
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD The wave of wealth and prosperity in the American 1920s led to a widespread criticism of materialism and consumption by many Modern authors, notably by Fitzgerald in his novel The Great Gatsby.
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD The Great Gatsby questions the American obsession with wealth, pointing out many of the flaws inherent in an idea of “success” built around wealth. Explores the possibility that the American Dream might be dying. Are its positive aspects being forgotten in favor of material wealth?
HOW DOES FITZGERALD PORTRAY THE AMERICAN DREAM?
GATSBY VERSUS DAISY What is Gatsby’s “American Dream”? How does he prepare himself to accomplish his dream? How do his methods corrupt his dream? What is Daisy’s focus in Chapters 5 and 6? How would Daisy define the “American Dream”? Does Daisy ever reach the American Dream?
THE SHIFT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM Daisy is a wealthy socialite who marries Tom for his Old Money. Jay Gatsby seeks his fortune to win the heart of Daisy, convinced that will be the only way she sees his value. His American Dream to improve himself becomes corrupt in his goal of winning Daisy.