For hundreds of years, America has existed as a beacon of hope for people around the world. America is envisioned as the place where dreams come true: dreams of happiness, dreams of success, and dreams of freedom. The American Dream depicts the perfect life, attainable through honest, hard work. The joys of home, wealth, and family are considered a goal worthy of great respect, and America is seen as the venue through which they are achieved. However, these basic hopes become tainted when abused. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald addresses the corruption of the American Dream and the failures of those who attempt to achieve it.

Fitzgerald's main focus is upon James Gatz, better known as Jay Gatsby. From childhood, James Gatz has dreams of rising above his father's simple agricultural life to achieve the American Dream. He wanted the stability and power of the wealthy...