Alexandra's+Gatsby+wiki

1) The American Dream is to live in the land of opportunity and to provide for your family and yourself. Gatsby's American Dream was to hold onto a relationship in the past. He moved into a mansion in East Egg across the bay from Daisy, his love. He knew it wasn't good bye forever; he held onto everything he had left of her until they were reunited. The novel definitely praises Gatsby's Dream of being with Daisy again, considering that's what almost the entire novel is about. The American Dream has changed over time. Today most everyone's Dream is to make it through day by day with our struggling economy. Family sizes are having to become a lot smaller just so they can provide and take care of them.



4) Nick's role in the novel was to help out his friends with their problems. At the beginning of the novel Nick's father says "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Pg 1). His father is telling him that he should not judge others because of how they are, but to befriend them and help them out. I think when the story is told from Nick's point of view it makes it a little more believable and more interesting. He is talking about other people's lives and does a great job of describing each person from his point of view.

8) Fitzgerald uses a ton of symbolism in his novel. Dr. TJ Eckleburg's eyes and the Valley of Ashes are symbols of a big reality check when traveling between East and West Egg. The Green light on Daisy's dock represents a hazy future.