In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses Daisy as the archetype for the destructiveness of the American dream because not only does she personally portray this concept but is also a medium used for showing the dangers that come with the pursuit of the American dream.
Daisy personifies the destruction of the American dream through her actions, as shown when Daisy ran over and killed Myrtle. Throughout the book Myrtle pursued her dream of joining the upper class (i.e. marrying Tom Buchanan). However, unlike Nick, Myrtle didn’t care about working hard, all she cared about was getting there as soon as possible by any means. Thus when Daisy ran over Myrtle, Fitzgerald portrayed the dangers of the pursuit wealth with reckless abandon. Firstly, that’s important to notice when Daisy purposely steers away from another car and instead aims towards Myrtle. In the book, cars act as a symbol for excessive wealth; meaning that this scene symbolizes that the upper class cares more about not hurting their wealth (their car) and the other wealthy (the other driver) than they care about the wellbeing of the less fortunate (Myrtle). Secondly, it’s important to analyze when Daisy drives away without checking Myrtle’s condition. Daisy had no interest in leaving the car because no one clearly saw the car or the driver, meaning that she was safe from being convicted; in fact getting out of the car would only hurt Daisy because then she would have been placed at the scene. Fitzgerald used this scene to symbolize the wealthy’s greater interest in keeping themselves safe rather than the condition of the poor. Thus, through the death of Myrtle, Fitzgerald shows the reckless pursuit of wealth and the American dream will leave behind nothing but scorched earth.
Daisy also personifies the destructiveness of the American dream through how others view her and what they are willing to do to be with her, as shown through Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of Daisy. To Gatsby, Daisy was less of a person as she was a prize or achievement. James Gatz lost Daisy years ago because he was poor and Tom was rich; as a result it became a lifelong goal for Gatsby to prove that he was better than those born into the upper class. Daisy thus became a prize to Gatsby, one that proved that he had achieved success and wealth, a.k.a the American dream. However, Gatsby’s headstrong pursuit of his “prize” blinded him, as shown when he covered up for Daisy’s car accident. Gatsby was so in love with his pursuit of the American dream that he was even willing to put his life on the line for its preservation. However, the success of Gatsby’s pursuit of the American dream would mean the failure of someone else’s; that is why Tom sent George to kill Gatsby. Similarly to Gatsby, Tom was still in love with Daisy couldn’t imagine losing her because Daisy was again an idea and not a person. Tom’s belief of the American dream was being rich, having a beautiful wife and a family; as a result if Daisy left it would mean to Tom that he had failed. In order to prevent feeling like a failure, Tom had to remove the threat to his comfortable lifestyle: Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses the conflict between Gatsby and Tom over Daisy to show the reader the dangers of the American dream for selfish reasons, which is the only reason because the pursuit of money is inherently for one’s personal gain. Fitzgerald shows the reader the destructiveness of the American dream because if a conflict of interests come up between people, there are no winners.
As a result of how she acts and how she is treated, Daisy is the archetype for the destructiveness of the American dream. It is through Daisy that Fitzgerald shows us that, if mistreated, the American dream suddenly becomes a nightmare.
Daisy personifies the destruction of the American dream through her actions, as shown when Daisy ran over and killed Myrtle. Throughout the book Myrtle pursued her dream of joining the upper class (i.e. marrying Tom Buchanan). However, unlike Nick, Myrtle didn’t care about working hard, all she cared about was getting there as soon as possible by any means. Thus when Daisy ran over Myrtle, Fitzgerald portrayed the dangers of the pursuit wealth with reckless abandon. Firstly, that’s important to notice when Daisy purposely steers away from another car and instead aims towards Myrtle. In the book, cars act as a symbol for excessive wealth; meaning that this scene symbolizes that the upper class cares more about not hurting their wealth (their car) and the other wealthy (the other driver) than they care about the wellbeing of the less fortunate (Myrtle). Secondly, it’s important to analyze when Daisy drives away without checking Myrtle’s condition. Daisy had no interest in leaving the car because no one clearly saw the car or the driver, meaning that she was safe from being convicted; in fact getting out of the car would only hurt Daisy because then she would have been placed at the scene. Fitzgerald used this scene to symbolize the wealthy’s greater interest in keeping themselves safe rather than the condition of the poor. Thus, through the death of Myrtle, Fitzgerald shows the reckless pursuit of wealth and the American dream will leave behind nothing but scorched earth.
Daisy also personifies the destructiveness of the American dream through how others view her and what they are willing to do to be with her, as shown through Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of Daisy. To Gatsby, Daisy was less of a person as she was a prize or achievement. James Gatz lost Daisy years ago because he was poor and Tom was rich; as a result it became a lifelong goal for Gatsby to prove that he was better than those born into the upper class. Daisy thus became a prize to Gatsby, one that proved that he had achieved success and wealth, a.k.a the American dream. However, Gatsby’s headstrong pursuit of his “prize” blinded him, as shown when he covered up for Daisy’s car accident. Gatsby was so in love with his pursuit of the American dream that he was even willing to put his life on the line for its preservation. However, the success of Gatsby’s pursuit of the American dream would mean the failure of someone else’s; that is why Tom sent George to kill Gatsby. Similarly to Gatsby, Tom was still in love with Daisy couldn’t imagine losing her because Daisy was again an idea and not a person. Tom’s belief of the American dream was being rich, having a beautiful wife and a family; as a result if Daisy left it would mean to Tom that he had failed. In order to prevent feeling like a failure, Tom had to remove the threat to his comfortable lifestyle: Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses the conflict between Gatsby and Tom over Daisy to show the reader the dangers of the American dream for selfish reasons, which is the only reason because the pursuit of money is inherently for one’s personal gain. Fitzgerald shows the reader the destructiveness of the American dream because if a conflict of interests come up between people, there are no winners.
As a result of how she acts and how she is treated, Daisy is the archetype for the destructiveness of the American dream. It is through Daisy that Fitzgerald shows us that, if mistreated, the American dream suddenly becomes a nightmare.