This is for everyone to think about over the break but also to discuss while we read The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald's work has been seen as a critique of the American Dream by some scholars. History professor David Trask stated that "The Great Gatsby is about many things, but it is inescapably a general critique of the 'American dream' ... [which] consisted of the belief (sometimes thought of as a promise) that people of talent in this land of opportunity and plenty could reasonably aspire to a material success if they adhered to a fairly well-defined set of behavioral rules..." In other words, play the game, follow the rules, and you stand a chance of living a comfortable life. It's like a reward for buying into the American way of life.
There are three questions I'm raising here.
1. Is Fitzgerald criticizing the American Dream with Gatsby's life and his pursuit of Daisy? Why or why not?
2. Is there an American Dream still out there for you? If so, what's yours? If not, why do you think it disappeared?
3. How does your American Dream compare with someone outside of the original O.C., remembering that we live in one of the wealthiest counties in the country?
"After a hard day's work diggin' up the sod, we're ready for chow."
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
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8 comments:
Responding to the question, "Is there an American Dream still out there for you?" Ofcourse there still is. If you attend school, and try your hardest; You can get a scholarship to collage and live a very successful life. Just because acheiving the American Dream is hard to do, it certainly doesnt mean that it is not out there. Not to sound cliche or anything, but if you try your hardest you can honestly get anywhere in life.
*Nina
I think that my American Dream is different than people outside of the O.C. because im use to getting priveleges and some things handed to me. While people's vision of their American Dream ,outside of the O.C., might be to just get a job or to support their family. My American Dream is to be a successfuly athlete at the pro level and that may not correspond with people who arent as lucky to be in a wealthy county.
i totally agree with hannah. i think that Fitzgerald is completly criticizing the American Dream because he showcases Gatsby as this great wealthy rich guy with a big house and has everything, but Gatsby having all that stuff is only part of the American Dream. you also need to be happy with your life. and obviously Gatsby is not right now be he wants to be with Daisy but shes taken, which dosnt make gatsby very happy. Concluding he is not living the American Dream.
-emily
I agree with Doug when he says that our American Dream is probably different than most people who live outside of the OC.I have four sisters and a house that comfortably fits all of us. We all go to good schools and we're all healthy. For some people, that could be their dream for their family. People who live so close to us in Detroit, have different ambitions and goals than us. Hurricane Katrina created so many victims who's dream now, is to just have what they had before.
Okay, so here are my responses to Mr. Wickersham's three questions:
1. I think that Fitz believed that before the 1920s, the American dream was about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness (in Gatsby's case, to find love). In the era depicted in the novel, however, lazy wealth and the relaxing of values (Gatsby's excessive lifestyle) had corrupted this dream.
2. There's definately an American dream for me. I, personally, want to go to college, find out what I'm meant to do in life, and basically just figure myself out and work with that to see where my career's gonna go. And have a family, of course.
3. I think that my dream might be different from someone less priveledged. Since I have more to start off with (a good school, plenty of time) someone else who might not have those kinds of things may not be looking as far ahead as finding what's right for them in life. They might just be wanting to help support their family any way they can, or pay that month's rent. I think that more priveledged kids dreams tend to be more long term and less priveledged kids dreams would be more short term.
I think that there is a totally different "American Dream" for everyone. Like Hannah said, back then the "American Dream" was to have a nice house and a good job, but now-a-days it is much different. My American Dream is to go to a good college and swim, then have a career of some sort and a family.
American Dreams change throughout your life too. Like when youre little you want to be the president or be an astronaut. Its funny to see how it changes throughout your life. I remember when i wanted to be a zoo keeper!
But of course there is still an American Dream out there for me
brit
My question is...What is the american dream? I believe that when people think of having the "American Dream" they are too materialistic. Many people believe that having all the cars, money, and goodies that they are going to be the happiest people on earth. I think thats wrong. I think the American Dream is to be happy and be able to live a successful life with a family (if you want one). It is nice to have all the goodies like money and a huge massive house, but people need to think about the more important things that the American Dream should consist of.
Thanks,
Mike
I think that my American Dream is very different than a persons outside of Oakland County. Somebody who lives in a different, not as rich area would probaly just want to be able to provide for their families and get food on the table. Im sure that some kids have to work and give all that money to their family to survive. But I don't even have to worry about any of that stuff. I have a job because I want to and get to keep that money for myself. My American Dream is to go to college, enjoy my life and live in New York City. Also, the whole money aspect of the American Dream isn't the only part. For example in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby had all the money in the world and everything he could possibly want and yet his American Dream is not fulfilled. All he really wants is to win Daisy's heart, which is the only thing he seems to have trouble getting.
MELISSA
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