The Great Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun Blog Post
The
American Dream is portrayed in both the short story, The Great Gatsby, and in
the short play, A Raisin in the Sun, in similar yet different ways. Although
the two pieces of literature are from different time periods there is a
similarity between the general “dreams” the characters have, which I concluded was
reaching individual happiness. I recognized this goal for happiness is a form
of the American Dream for some, while it still branches of into little dreams
between others.
In the short play, each character had their own
aspirations for the thing they most cared about. Walter wanted to gain wealth,
investing in a liquor business he truly believes will work for him. His sister
wanted to become a doctor, different from her family and people and gender.
Just like the mother all she really wants a stable family that can stay
together. Each goal or dream was centralized on what made each of them happy.
As the play progressed they were getting closer to their dream with the
insurance money that arrived for Mother. But later on it is almost lost, dreams
and money, and they are left with an obstacle. No money to help fuel their
aspirations they finally decide to still move and keep on striving and working for
their dream.
Within The Great Gatsby, there were a variety of dreams
as well, a different goal for each character. Again all the dreams proved to
focus on a general goal, individual happiness. Mr. Gatsby tried to get Daisy back;
his true love was what made him happy. Another dream Gatsby had was wealth as
he worked as a sailor he wished to become rich, and he did it working to please
himself. Tom’s masculine self also desired two women in his life because it
boosted his confidence, his figure or reputation was what mattered to him.
Overall they attempted to acquire what pleased each one of them.
Even though every character had one’s own dream, they
faced a problem that left their dream broken down in some sense. I believe the
obstacles only portray the American Dream more truly. Everyone has a dream; the
American Dream seems to revolve around happiness, and despite all the obstacles
that present themselves on the way to happiness, these characters still kept
dreaming. Just like in the real world people hope to become happy, immigrants come
to America looking for what they want and others hope to gain wealth. Each
dreamer faces their own problem whether it’s getting across or over something
or taking some risk in business or just working and studying hard, whatever it
takes. All to have what they want, because you want to be happy in life, and that’s
what the American Dream is to be happy.
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