Great Gatsby – Chapter 6

“The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself” (98).

I really liked Val’s analysis of this chapter. It’s really accurate, but also insightful to what is the “American Dream” so many hopefuls aspire towards. He was very “self-inspired” (Val’s blog, http://vgolf360.edublogs.org/), which fits the standard archetype of “American Dream” survivors. One needs to be motivated and inspired by poverty in order to overcome it. Gatsby did just this and well, let’s face it, he came out pretty well in the end. Minus the ending.

According to Aaron Peeples, “Achieving the dream takes hard work, dedication, and even a little luck.” Gatsby worked until he died. He worked on his image, his “friends,” his career, and Daisy. This consistent hard work is the dedication required. As for luck, that’s Nick. It just so happens Nick became his neighbor for a summer. Vwala!

One of the aspects that define American society are those true “American Dream” survivors. I’m using “survivors,” because it’s not an easy journey from nowhere to somewhere. There are many backstabbers, lies, black-market gimmicks, and other illegal, immoral acts that can be associated with success. Few people reach the top on decent, moral terms. They stepped on someone at some point to stand taller. That’s how it is. That’s America.

Maybe this is coming out harsh. It’s not meant to. I’m just saying, the “American Dream” is a dream of almost every American, but those who carry through to the end often lose the pure ambition. The purity is filled with corruption and deception, instead. Like Gatsby, the “spring” into a new form of themselves. The reinvention begins well, but life changes who you are. The “American Dream” isn’t a year-long adventure. It’s a life sentence. Anything lifelong will inevitably change you.