The Great Gatsby

The portrayal of the American Dream in the Great Gatsby shows what most people view as the American Dream even til this day: a rich life of glamour and glitz and fun that seems to never end. There are holes in this dream though. In the case of Gatsby, supposedly the most priviledged of all those portrayed in the movie, he was rich, handsome, and had parties to die for. But his heart wasn't yearning for his money or his fame/infamy. His heart yearned for a woman named Daisy. This shows that in spite of the wealth, power and fame that he had acquired, his American Dream was fulfilled, but still left his empty and friendless. Daisy, too, was having issues with her American Dream's fulfillment. She and her husband had a child they both loved, a beautiful home, and a rich and famous friends. But she couldn't keep her husband faithful and her heart still craved the young love between her and Gatsby.

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s a young couple that lives above a garage. The husband is trying to live his American Dream, getting cars, fixing them up, and turning a profit – in effect, owning his own business. His wife’s American Dream however is quite different. She has a rich man on the side, an apartment, and friends for days, who will keep her dirty little secret.

The Great Gatsby shows viewers that even though the American Dream can be fulfilled, it can still leave you feeling empty.