Theme

The theme prevalent throughout the Great Gatsby was the American Dream, an idea that if one works hard enough they could possess superior wealth and power, Gatsby embodies this dream. Growing up, "his parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people--his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all" (Fitzgerald 98). Gatsby's birth name was James Gatz and he was born into a poor family, although he was decided to make a name for himself. Gatsby was determined to do everything he could to earn his wealth and win back the affection of the lovely Daisy Buchanan. Nevertheless Gatsby achieved his goal of living the American Dream by being a bootlegger during the era of prohibition. His persistent desire to acquire his fortune, is the ultimate symbol of achieving the American Dream. However Gatsby may have earned his wealth, but in the end he did not obtain his ultimate motive for being wealthy, the affection of Daisy.