How The American Dream Has Changed For All Americans

English-9

O’Connor

Charlie Acri

Changing Dream

​The American Dream has historically been a goal U.S. citizens have sought out to achieve during their lifetimes.  The ‘American Dream’ is described as “the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved”. That being said, each American has their different view of the ideal ‘American Dream’ and can be their own version of success as upward mobility is possible for everyone. This essay will talk about the thoughts of F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby, which explained how important money and status was to the people during the time of the novel. People of the U.S. today continue to value a different ‘American Dream’ as opposed to the people of the Gatsby era and while social separation still remains, it’s effect on the ‘American Dream’ has decreased. 

​In the Great Gatsby, the book discussed the ‘American Dream’ from the perspective of the 1920's, an era of industrial growth and prosperity creating two types of wealth, “old money” and “new money”. West Egg represents new money, a flashy and luxurious lifestyle where East Egg represents old money, the aristocracy. An example of the separation was stated by the narrator Nick, “I lived at West Egg, the-well, the less fashionable of the two, though this superficial tag to express bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them” (5). The separation between West Egg and East Egg was one of the big themes Fitzgerald expressed. These distinctions still exist today with old money still in the hands of the generational wealth, and new money which is earned by a first generation person like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and Jeff Bezos. 

​During the Gatsby era women were viewed as inferior to men, as wealthier men valued subservient and docile females. Daisy, in The Great Gatsby described this view when she discussed her hopes for her infant daughter, “I hope she’ll be a fool-that’s the best thing a girl can be in this World, a beautiful little fool” (17). Daisy experienced first hand the inequality as Tom treated Daisy with very little respect as he had an affair with another woman. Daisy was drawn to wealth and for her the ‘American Dream’ represented money and material things which was how the ‘American Dream’ was sought out in the Gatsby era of the 1920’s.  For Daisy, love was felt by marrying into a family of wealth where she did not have to be educated or contribute financially to the marriage.  An example to support Daisy’s thoughts was shown in a conversation between Gatsby and Tom “Gatsby sprang to his feet, vivid with excitement she never loved you, do you hear? Gatsby cried. She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.  It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me” (130). ​As in Gatsby, we still have a social separation as it relates to obtaining a quality education, wealth, and a successful career.  However, some things have changed since Gatsby, the progression of women’s success since the novel was written has increased dramatically. Women are better educated and have entered professions previously dominated by men.  Social disparity still exists today in all different types of categories such as wealth, and opportunity, but nowhere like it used to be during the time of The Great Gatsby. Instead, the next generation is leading the charge to remove barriers of sex, race, and religion to create a new ‘American Dream’ for generations to come.

​Today, a new ‘American Dream’ has evolved where new generations have abandoned the materialistic ways of the Gatsby era.  Younger generations are serving different purposes as the overall ‘American Dream’ has changed for Americans nowadays. Like Gatsby, Americans today use their past experiences to shape their futures. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that doesn’t matter-tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.  And then one fine morning – so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” (180). Americans today have integrated their own past experiences to shape a future which develops a personal standard for their own ‘American Dream’. Americans focus on positive past experiences that promote happiness, purpose and a career to better their lives and fulfill their obligation to themselves of completing the ‘American Dream’ as it is viewed to each different individual. 

Overall, the standard of the American Dream has drastically changed even as there is a wide social gap. For example, my family truly represents the ‘American Dream’ that has come to be for most Americans currently. The American Dream has progressed into so much more than just being about wealth and status, but has become more of following the path of your personal preference no matter which way that may take you. One of my cousins is a classical violinist who just completed her PHD in music performance; my oldest brother is a full time hockey coach who is assisting youth at all ages. My other cousin is a teacher of 4th grade students. All three of these family members are living their best lives and would say they are on the path of achieving their ‘American Dream.’ The American Dream has completely become more than just about being wealthy and important in the world. While my cousins and brother may not achieve significant wealth they are achieving their own ‘American Dream’ by doing what they love.