F. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby - 1303 Words

Gatsby’s Great American Dream The American Dream in simple terms is the essence of Americanism; it is the belief that social mobility, prosperity, and financial success are attainable by hard work regardless of social class and nationality. The American Dream exemplifies what every immigrant imagines as they walk through Ellis Island or cross the border from Mexico. It is the ethos of America, the defining image of the average upper-middle class family man. This idea of prosperity begins as far back as the founders of the United States. Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous Framers in American history, built himself from the ground up. Franklin’s The Autobiography is both his personal regimen for prosperity, but also the†¦show more content†¦James Gatz transformation to Jay Gatsby is â€Å"the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end†(Fitzgerald 98). Benjamin Franklin created thirteen virtues that he personally followed that aided his quest for perfection. Of these thirteen virtues, Gatsby perfected Cleanliness and Order to the fullest extent. Gatsby’s practice of elocution and ability to schedule his business is one example of these specific virtues. Jay Gatsby often seems to be reminded of his past, but his goal is not to even cover up his past. This goal of Gatsby’s is the beginning of his downfall in the quest towards the perfection of his own American Dream. The virtues that Gatsby fulfils in some circumstances and does not fulfil in others include Silence, Temperance, and Sincerity. Franklin’s idea of Sincerity is that one should â€Å"use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly† (Franklin). Gatsby achieves this virtue whenever he is in the company of Daisy Buchanan, his love interest of many years. There is a certain irony to their relationship as Dai sy is extremely insincere or grateful for the life she has led. Even though Gatsby’s entire adult life is a lie, there is a sense of youthful love from a man who has outgrown his youthful pleasures. Daisy Buchanan is related to another of these virtues, Silence. Gatsby understands