Instead, of taking the traditional approach to achieving the American Dream with integrity and humble roots, F. According to Millett, Jay Gatsby’s original dream is tainted once he becomes overwhelmed with the idea of being wealthy to achieve everything he wants in life. For example, in his article Millett focuses on interpreting symbols within the novel such as the “green light” that at the end represents different things for different characters in the book. Millett’s article explains the many representations Fitzgerald uses to portray the loss of social and moral values in “The Great Gatsby” as it relates to the American Dream. Life and career priorities began to be set aside and were replaced with excitement of experiencing new things.įrederick C. The rise of prosperity and wealth in the “Jazz Age” as they called it, was immediately evident as the morals and principles of many individuals began to change. While these new cultural transformations provided many with a new sense of liberty, the significance of materialism heavily impacted how individuals interpreted the meaning of life and their own goals.
From flappers to the first motion pictures with music, this time period was amazing as it allowed individuals to explore and express their individuality through artistic expression. The era of the”Roaring Twenties” in the United States was unforgettable, as it marked great changes in our culture and everyday living.