how does Nick pursue the American dream?
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american dream
Nick is from the Midwest, and he travels to the East to work in finance--where people can make it big. He seems content with his little clerk's job, though, and not eager to get rich. He is put off by the "big" people he encounters: Jordan is a liar and a cheater, Wolfsheim is a strange and dangerous man, and the Buchanans just leave messes for others to clean up. Perhpas the reason he admires Jay Gatsby is that Jay has a REASON for getting rich. Rather than just gaining money for the sake of being rich and powerful, Jay is motivated by love. The whole scheme is spoiled by Daisy's selfishness and dishonesty, but at least Jay wanted to accomplish something with his money instead of just having it and lording his wealth over others.
I think that when Nick sees what realizing the American Dream does to people, he retreats to the Midwest where there is less corruption (in Fitzgerald's mind, anyway). I think he says no thanks to the whole "get rich" thing.
I think that when Nick sees what realizing the American Dream does to people, he retreats to the Midwest where there is less corruption (in Fitzgerald's mind, anyway). I think he says no thanks to the whole "get rich" thing.
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