Shane+Kimbley's+thoughts

Question 1: __What is the American dream? How does Gatsby represent the dream? Does the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time?__

The American dream describes a loose term generalizing the struggle to overcome adversities wherever they may exist. In America, the common perception resides in the ability that any entity can challenge their current living standards and accomplish greatness in whatever form. In regards to //The Great Gatsby// by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the character Jay Gatsby achieves this in the appearance of love due to his existing established financial stature and status with his peers. His desire to seek the woman of his dreams at whatever costs fuels his desire. In his attempt to entice Daisy, he consistently follows her biddings until his goal becomes achievable. This assertive attitude resonates the concept of the American dream precisely; however the novel ultimately condemns Gatsby's struggle to grasp his dream. Due to her position in a relationship, the effort put forth by Gatsby lacked enough sufficiency to ultimately place her within his grasps, a very tragic yet predictable result. Due to the general nature of the American dream ideology, I believe that the American dream has not changed since the 1920's where the novel occurs within. Within every person there exists a constant struggle to acquire that which they currently do not possess. Due to this, the American dream does not allow for a specific term because the concept is derived from a relativistic term and changes to suit the individual.

Question 5: __What part of his past is Gatsby trying to recapture? Is he successful? Is there a person, feeling, or event in your past that you would like to revisit?__

With his current financial securities and well-being, Gatsby attempts to "relive" his past so that the opportunity arises to recover the relationship that had once existed between himself and Daisy. In his effort to do so, he consistently chaperoned parties so that one day she potentially could arrive into his life once more and with his new position, seize what he had desired for so long. Unfortunately, Gatsby's hyped up adventure to assemble the pieces to his dream does not completely follow the script as far as he would have hoped. Certainly he did deem some success for Daisy became a person in his life, but not ideally to his liking. In a discussion with Tom, he clearly bests Gatsby which consequently directs her towards his side again. Due to her presence in a relationship, Gatsby's initial hopes had been skewed ever so slightly so that success slipped from his reach. This personally retrieves a text-to-self connection for me for I also have desired to relive a certain period of my life. Beginning as a child, I had always dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player; however, circumstances required me to abandon my goals going into extra curricular activities over the summer of eighth grade. Without the consistent motivation to pursue my dream, the motivation slipped away and now I can only reminisce on my past, losing the ability to assert my dream. Like Gatsby, I wish to achieve a profile where I can comfortably pursue this dream, however altered the path might be. Once established, there is no indication where the road I must take to recover my lost dreams.

In summary, //The Great Gatsby// has been a pleasant and sophisticated read that permits critical thinking as well. Never before had it dawned on me how prevalent the American dream exists and peoples lives until reading about how different people assessed such a concept. Almost with any goal, the American dream of purpose and success can be affiliated cohesively such as myself and my dream of playing baseball professionally. Once assigning a common definition to the term, it becomes apparent how accurately my desire for success in baseball connects to the American dream. Gatsby and I, though in completely diverse appearances, possess the motivation to scour whatever resources and direction necessary to secure the determined assets of our minds.

Citation:

Fitzgerald, Scott F. //The Great Gatsby//. New York, NY: Scribner, 1925. Gale CENGAGE Learning. //A Note on Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.// 5/11/2010. <[|H1420013472&&docId=GALE|H1420013472&docType=GALE&role=LitRC]>

Gale CENGAGE Learning. //Desire's Second Act: "Race" and __The Great Gatsby's__ Cynical Americanism.// 5/11/2010. <[|A176375415&&docId=GALE|A176375415&docType=GALE&role=LitRC]>

Helium. //Literary Analysis: The Importance of The Past in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.// 5/11/2010. <[]>