The Downside of a Dream

The human species has always thrived through life’s many plights due to unmatched resilience. The idea of the American Dream is a prevalent theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and it is portrayed through Jay Gatsby. The protagonist realizes his downfall as his constant efforts, his unrealistically high standards, as well as the pursuit of his ancient relationship with Daisy all lead to his demise.

    To start off, Mr. Gatsby lives in a sort of fantasy world where he believes that the idea of recreating his past relationship with Daisy is tangible. Unfortunately, he slowly begins to be overwhelmed by his dream as he encounters Daisy for the first time since what feels like forever to him. After seeing Gatsby flabbergasted, Nick(of course) hints at a weak point in Gatsby’s plan. He describes, “He had passed visibly through two states and was entering upon a third. After his embarrassment and his unreasoning joy he was consumed with wonder at her presence. He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through to the end, waited with his teeth set, so to speak, at an inconceivable pitch of intensity. Now, in the reaction, he was running down like an overwound clock”(Fitzgerald 91-92). A simile comparing Gatsby to an overwound clock creates the image that the man may not completely understand that time is a variable in his situation. Clearly, Gastby refuses to accept that years have passed since his previous relationship with Daisy and that no effort could recreate their previous reality. This relates to the theme of illusion. Following this idea, the stubborn man desires Daisy more than anything and demonstrates his delusion through a conversation with Nick: “‘I wouldn’t ask too much of her,’ I ventured. ‘You can’t repeat the past.’ ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’ He looked around wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadows of his house, just out of reach of his hand”(Fitzgerald 110). A metaphor comparing the past to just how close it is to Gatsby as it is ‘just out of reach of his hand’ further emphasizes the man’s distorted and unrealistic state of mind. Readers understand his erroneous pursuit which could also foreshadow the protagonist’s fall. The unattainable dreams Gatsby so desperately desires relates to the central theme of the American Dream. His distorted mindset also creates a God-like image of Daisy in his mind.

    Next, Gatsby’s thoughts and interactions with the central characters of the novel prove his unrealistically high standards that lead to his dismay. On a calm night, Gatsby’s thoughts create the image that his feelings for Daisy were mutual and he had successfully attained his dream: “Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed ab- sorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever”(Fitzgerald 93). Symbolism is implied where the light represents his pursuit of the American Dream(recreating his relationship with Daisy) and its significance vanishing forever may hint at a sorrowful ending for him. Now, Gatsby has nothing to look forward to as he begins to be disappointed. This relates to the idea of love. Moreover, the bootlegger’s expectations ultimately scare away his lover. After asking Daisy to manifest that she never loved Tom(a false statement) Daisy begins to push back towards her husband’s side: “‘Oh, you want too much!’ she cried to Gatsby. ‘I love you now—isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s the past.’ She began to sob helplessly”(Fitzgerald 134). Daisy telling Gatsby that he wants too much forebodes Gatsby’s downfall, and expresses his lover slowly fading further away from him. Once again, his extreme standards let him down as even he can’t help with the past. This relates to the theme of deception. Gatsby’s intensive efforts all seem to fail…

    On a final note, Gatsby’s perseverance along with his endeavors are essentially the backbone to all his problems as they blind him from the truth. Nick is definitely a bystander that gives readers a logical perspective of Gatsby’s flawed reasoning. Unfortunately, he remains silent and simply observes. After Gatsby informs Nick that he will watch over Daisy until morning, Nick understands that Gatsby’s efforts are essentially futile: “He put his hands in his coat pockets and turned back eagerly to his scrutiny of house, as though my presence marred the sacredness of the vigil. So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight—watching over nothing”(Fitzgerald 145). Nick’s first person narration allows readers to confirm their bias about Gatsby slowly approaching a downward spiral. The lost man evidently lives in an illusion where he expects a dream-like future with Daisy as he stands there ‘watching over nothing’. Thus, Nick’s thoughts display how important the idea of illusion is throughout the story. Additionally, his flawed reasoning is what paves the path to his demise. After Gatsby’s death, Nick reflects upon the idea of the American Dream. He describes,”Gatsby beloved in the green light, the organic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther….And one fine morning—“(Fitzgerald 180). Symbolism is once again implied with the idea of the green light relating to Jay Gatsby’s dream. It is significant as he proves that no matter how unreasonable it may seem, humans would always ‘run faster’ and ‘stretch out our arms further’ for the possibility of a miracle. Like Gatsby, we may not realize the consequences of our efforts and create a situation comparable to Gatsby’s. This comes back to the central theme of  the American Dream.

    In essence, Gatsby’s unreasonable ideas of recreating a past reality as well as his insane efforts which essentially make him suffer all lead to his inevitable death. His unfortunate demise may create a spark in many readers’ minds and perhaps serve as a warning. Like Gatsby, why do humans desire to live the American Dream knowing its risks?