Gatsby's American Dream and Illusion

In the article I have chosen, “Money, Love, and Aspiration in The Great Gatsby,” Roger Lathbury writes with a heavy influence of Marxism. It also hints at new historicism, with parallels of the characters goals and the average American (Then and now) chasing the “American Dream,” another important theme through the article and book. In regard the the monetary terms on which each character relationship is established, Lathbury says, “Gatsby's love for Daisy is an intense and worked out variety of that which lovers of all ages have felt: its expression is distinctively that of postwar America, of a society that consumes.” (p 73.) Throughout the article, love and relationships between characters in the The Great Gatsby are analyzed; what is shown is that a strong foundation for those relationships are based on the each characters wealth and class relativity; this is especially true between Gatsby and Daisy.

During this time in American fiction, there was a recurring theme of characters chasing their dreams, which they could obtain once they earned enough money or status. Each time, goals were just out of reach due to money circumstances or class prejudices set in place. Not only that, but in The Great Gatsby there was a distinction between “old money,” from which people who come from a lineage of wealth were considered “old money,” and “new money,” from which people earned large amounts of money through various business ventures--which may not have always been total legal-- were considered “new money”. Regardless of the sum, the latter form of making money was not as respectable as being born into it. America, being a society that consumes, largely practices pursuing this goal of being so rich that there is never a need to want ...

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... determine the perspectives, actions, and fate of the characters. There are several articles that highlight the socioeconomic dynamics and topics that surround the story. Also, the interesting part about this article is the hint of new historicism it provides, which helps to highlight why The Great Gatsby is such a timeless tale, with clear examples and parallels that give vision to that time period and how the characters actions and perspectives can also be understood with the way we do things today in America. This article is essential because it puts forth the prime examples and perspectives, in which the basis of The Great Gatsby lies, which is in the money, love and aspirations of each character.

Works Cited

Lathbury, Roger. “Money, Love, and Aspiration in The Great Gatsby." Major Literary Character: Jay Gatsby. New York: Chelsea House, 2004. 70-82. Print.