The American Dream of Mr. Jay Gatsby, from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, is often difficult for readers to grasp simply because it is hidden under layers of other people's dreams.
Gatsby, mentored by Dan Cody, grows a magnificent empire. His wealth allows him incredible material and social benefits: a massive mansion, luxurious clothing, enormous parties, and more. In addition, the nature of Gatsby's business, importing bootleg alcohol during Prohibition, gives him power of politicians or important figures of New York City and beyond.
However, all of these achievements are in fact means to a different end: Daisy. Gatsby gathers all of this wealth and lavishly displays it to impress her and woo her. Having Daisy - and I use "having" here deliberately because she is certainly objectified and denied agency throughout the novel - as his own is Gatsby's ultimate American dream.
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