The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is widely regarded as one of the most particular assertions of the American Dream in the 1920s. Fitzgerald captured a period in American history when the idea of the American Dream became more accessible to the middle, and lower classes as new opportunities for economic success emerged. The novel presents a complex portrait of the American Dream, exploring the relationship between ambition, merit, and success. Upward Mobility in 1920s America was seen as attainable for middle-class members, but the means of ascending the social ladder did not involve virtue.
The concept of meritocracy is central to Fitzgerald’s depiction of the American Dream. The idea of meritocracy, embodied in the character of Jay Gatsby, is that hard work and dedication to one’s goals can lead to success. Despite being humble, Gatsby works hard to achieve his goals and ultimately becomes wealthy. In the generations that saw the rise of meritocracy, work, and virtue were highly valued and seen as the keys to success. However, in The Great Gatsby, the decisive role is played not by virtues but by skills and the ability to earn money: “Gatsby associates with those who make their money by “fixing” sporting events and engaging in questionable, if not illegal, business practices.” (Packer-Kinlaw, 2013, p. 12). Merit was seen as the measure of success, and those who worked hard and possessed virtue were the most likely to achieve the American Dream of Upward Mobility.
Gatsby is not a hero in his age’s version of the Dream of Upward Mobility, as he does not possess the virtue or the work ethic necessary for success. The methods of earning and promotion on the economic and social ladder confirm this: “I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 97). Gatsby is a self-made man willing to do anything to achieve his dreams, including criminal activities such as bootlegging and money laundering. Therefore, for Gatsby’s Post-WWI generation, those who could adapt and fit into society got a privileged position in the hierarchy. Virtues, on the other hand, did not play a significant role in this way of life.
Gatsby’s ambition is not rooted in morality or ethical considerations but in his desire to win the love of Daisy Buchanan. The novel also questions the idea of the American Dream itself. Gatsby relies on his wealth to try and buy love of Daisy: “Gatsby aspires to be rich—not necessarily because he longs for material wealth in and of itself, but because he wants to make an impression on Daisy, to win back her affections and to recapture their romance.” (Packer-Kinlaw, 2013, p.13). Fitzgerald’s novel affirms the life of the Dream of Upward Mobility, but the ways to achieve the desired position do not correspond to the concept of virtues.
In conclusion, the novel suggests that work and virtue are essential to achieving the Dream of Upward Mobility. The Great Gatsby is a complex portrait of the American Dream. The novel explores the idea of meritocracy and questions the efficacy of ambition without virtue. It also questions the role of “work” and “virtue” in achieving the Dream of Upward Mobility. Ultimately, Fitzgerald’s novel suggests that merit is an essential part of achieving the American Dream but that ambition and virtue must be present for it to be successful.
References
Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. [eBook edition]. Planet eBook.
Packer-Kinlaw, D. (2013). The rise and fall of the American dream: From the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin to Death of a Salesman. Critical insights: the American dream, 3-17.