Throughout the years, many historical references have been made with regards to the American Dream. Students have been bombarded with this concept from teacher after teacher and almost every history textbook holds at least one excerpt on this topic. But who is to say what the true definition of the American Dream is and what it has come to be? The American dream has been interpreted by people throughout history as the American success story; the American Dream is said to be the theory of climbing from rags to riches; and the American Dream can also be interpreted as going from a log cabin to the White House. Although, the American Dream may best be represented in Francis Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald, within his own life, is on a quest to accomplish his own American Dream and because of the fact that he is unable to do so, he makes a character, Jay Gatsby, who can do it for him. Fitzgeralds quest for Zelda was only accomplished once he had money just as Gatsbys quest for Daisy revolved around money. Thus, the parallels between Fitzgerald and Gatsby illustrate each mans pursuit of their own American Dream.First of all, Fitzgeralds and Gatsbys American Dream is very clearly defined throughout Fitzgeralds life as well as in his writing of The Great Gatsby. Fitzgeralds American Dream consists of the becoming an American war hero by distinguishing himself in battle, the joys of young love and wealth as well as leading a successful life. In 1917, at the age of eighteen, Francis Scott Fitzgerald decides to embark upon a life within the Army and fight for his country after previously dropping out of Princeton. The following year, he is stationed at Camp Sheridan in Montgomery, Alabama where he meets and falls in love with the prestigious and beautiful Zelda Sayre. Although, in 1919 his dreams of fighting fades away as he is discharged from the Army and never gets the opportunity to endure in combat again. Wit...
