The American Dream is the idea that anything can be attained by anyone through hard work. This dream is theoretically possible for anyone, regardless of race, class, religion, or gender. The dream usually involves a person rising from humble starts and potentially reaching Donald Trump status, but tends to be different for everyone. The American Dream is the same for everyone in that it involves a degree of happiness. One could have all the money in the world, but not be happy, and not have achieved the American Dream. For instance, Gatsby had enough money to buy a large house and hold extravagant parties, but he was not happy. He never reached his American Dream. Richard Cory clearly never realized his American Dream. The American Dream is subjective; it is the dream of the dreamer.
Gatsby is the ideal success story; he was born poor, and through his own charm, work, and determination, he became fabulously wealthy. Gatsby ended up reaching a more traditional dream (big house, nice cars, etc.), but he missed out on the part the mattered most to him: Daisy. Daisy was what he wanted, Daisy was what would make him happy, and Daisy was just out of reach. He could be a businessman. He could lie and cheat his way into money. However, he couldn’t use any of those skills that he possessed to win her. It was a cruel irony that perfectly illustrates the thesis.
We don’t know much about Richard Cory, but what we do know serves its purpose. The tale is narrated by a man who is obviously jealous of the gentleman that is Richard Cory. He scornfully points out how well dressed and clean Richard Cory is, and how the people living downtown “thought he was everything/to make [them] wish that [they] were in his place” (11-12). At the close of this unnamed man’s anthem of envy, Richard Cory “went home and put a bullet through his head” (16). Richard Cory was the object of every man’s resentment because he had reached what many call the American Dream. It clearly didn’t satisfy him.
The American Dream is not about money. Money doesn’t even help to accomplish the dream, as Gatsby realized, tossing his fine shirts on the bed. The American Dream is about satisfaction, contentedness. It is about a steady happiness, rather than a cheap thrill. The American Dream is so personalized that it’s hardly fitting to put such a generic label on it.
Discuss what you have learned about the American Dream. Start by giving a good definition of the American Dream and some explanation. Discuss a couple of different aspects of the Dream. Consider how the American Dream is the same for everyone. It also has personal aspects that relate to our abilities to make choices. Use at least TWO of the items listed above to support your thesis on the American Dream (in other words, how do these sources support your definition? You must back up what you say with SPECIFIC examples from the works above. Clearly give the context of your examples and explain why these are appropriate examples )
Oh noes, my essay! xD