The American dream is a symbol of hope, prosperity and happiness. But F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby examines the American dream from a different perspective, one that shines a light on those who subvert these principles for their own selfish fantasies. Fitzgerald presents Jay Gatsby as a man who takes the dream too far and becomes unable to distinguish his false life of wealth from reality. This "unique" American novel describes how humanity's insatiable desires for wealth and power subvert the idyllic tenets of the American vision. Jay Gatsby is the personification of unlimited wealth and prestige, a shining beacon for aspiring rich people. Nick Carraway states that there is "something glorious" about Gatsby and that he is filled with "a certain heightened sensitivity to the promises of life" (8). It appears to mere mortals who are not blessed with wealth that Gatsby is realizing the American dream of becoming famous and rich. But instead of being satisfied with his greenbacks, Gatsby believes he can reproduce the “Platonic conception of himself” (89) and become the perfect god of wealth that he represents. The American dream has many interpretations, but Gatsby clings only to the concept of wealth, failing to see that he can also improve his character through hard work and hard work. An understanding of the American Dream, which involves improving oneself to achieve a higher social status, unfortunately inspires people like Gatsby to achieve social superiority through money, but never find true happiness. Gatsby believes in this “unreality of reality” that “the rock of the world [is] firmly founded on the wing of a fairy” (89). Sinking in his dreams, Gatsby finds comfort in his fantasy of wealth and the false joy of having...... middle of paper ...... (Nigeria tops investigation into happiness, BBC News), and that wealthier nations like the United States rank well below third world countries like Nigeria. The study shows that consumerism is a factor that the happiest nations lack, while the thirst for money and possessions still prevents countries like America from enjoying happiness. Let us hope that America does not take its materialism to the extreme, such that its destiny becomes linked to Fitzgerald's Gatsby. Because “the mass of men lead lives in quiet despair” (Thoreau, Walden), waiting to wake up from the American nightmare that they have imposed on themselves. Works Cited Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1953. “Nigeria Tops Happiness Survey.” BBC News Online October 2, 2003 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3157570.stm Thoreau, HD Walden. New York: the modern library, 1950.