For centuries, The Great Gatsby has included classic elements of classes, behaviors, customs and values, as well as morality and ideals. The background is set in the Jazz era in New York, and the country began to feel liberated at the end of the World War I. This era is characterized by extensive changes in the country's culture and lifestyle, which have developed between rich and poor classes in society. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses metaphors from wealth to illustrate how the American Dream can never make anyone be blissful, to advise readers to appreciate the present, not the future.
At the start of the novel, in our original intention for Gatsby, we see that he is moving in a direction that is out of reach, although it is invisible. For instance, “But I didn’t call to him for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone-he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him” . “Curious” emphasizes that Gatsby stretches out his arms, which makes Nick be more curious to Gatsby. Darkness contrasts with light, and light draws attention to something. In countless late nights, Gatsby always quietly looks at a distant green light on the beach. In addition to the quote of “Involuntarily I glanced seaward and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock”. The green light is different from the other lights on the dock. He always imagines that it is the light from Daisy’s house, so he looks at it for a long time. These two quotes surround the idea that people always seek something bigger than themselves. All this painstaking effort is to relive his old dream of five years ago.
Nevertheless, the city has endless possibilities, with all the classic elements of the American Dream at this moment, and closely linking Daisy to all of Gatsby's larger dreams. Such as “Over the great bridge, with the sunlight through the girders making a constant flicker upon the moving cars, with the city rising up across the river in white heaps and sugar lumps all built with a wish out of non-olfactory money” (Fitzgerald 68). This quote expresses a beautiful city full of possibilities and dreams. In addition, 'built with a wish out of non-olfactory money' means that the city is create by those who make money by working pure and hard rather than by corruption and greed. The 'white heaps and sugar lumps', which reveals the purity of those who fight for the American Dream. In particular, “His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable vision to her perishable breath”. This shows that Gatsby has always associate himself with Daisy. No matter what he pursues, or Daisy's wealth and high social status, he is determined to get her, because she is his green light. She couldn't stand the dream that Gatsby had for her. Daisy's sincerity can't bear the test, so he is unable to fulfill his 'American Dream.'
In the end, the beauty and greatness of all is ironic. Gatsby does not get what he wants in his American Dream. For instance, “And as the moon rise higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually, I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes-a fresh, green breast of the new world”. This quote is like the innocent Daisy that Gatsby fell in love with. In the eyes of Dutch sailors, the United States is like a green open land. The vision of this possibility is the same as that of Gatsby. In additionally, “And as I sat there, brooding on the old unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it”. This quote visualizes Gatsby’s dream is an over-idealized dream in Nick’s mind. Metaphorically, Gatsby reaches for the green light every night, just hoping that she will return to him. It's difficult for Gatsby to repeat the past with Daisy, things have changed, not what they were in five years ago. Gatsby just wants to repeat the past, so he could have another chance with Daisy.
Fitzgerald suggested that if everyone chooses to believe dreams, it will guide us through the years like a green light. Unfortunately, Gatsby’s dream did not materialize in the end, but this dream dominates his life. He pays too much for his dream, even his life. During these five years, Gatsby has countless fantasies and hopes that make his appearance great and perfect. This is like a dream seeker who always holds infinite hope, eagerly fantasizing that every effort he pays will lead to future success. However, when reality is gradually approaching, and the imagination component decreases, the reality is to show the original shape, and the illusion ends.
