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.

463 words