Since the first settlers arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, they carried with them the revolutionary ideology of a “city upon a hill.” Over the course of 400 years, this evolved into the national ethos known as the “American Dream.” Promising limitless opportunity and prosperity for those who dedicated themselves to achieving it, this idea has shaped the societal framework of the United States. In The Great Gatsby, often hailed as a masterpiece reflecting the Jazz Age of the Roaring Twenties, F. Scott Fitzgerald offers a critical examination of the American Dream. Through Gatsby’s futile pursuit of his ideal life, Nick’s rejection of New York City—an emblem of the Dream’s opportunities—and the Wilsons’ tragic fate, the novel portrays the collapse of the American Dream in the 1920s. This downfall is revealed through three key aspects: its inherent limitations, the tension between opportunity and equality, and its exclusive focus on materialism.

This article was written as part of my AP English Literature class in Fall 2018 and was adapted for publication in Thrive Global on August 29, 2019.