Irony In The Great Gatsby

Although the meaning of the American Dream has changed over the years, its original depiction involves a life of accomplishment based on one’s own abilities and dedication, rather than what a class structure dictates. Everyone has their own versions of this ideal; for some, this may mean the opportunity for their children to develop in a nation filled with education and career opportunities. For others, the Dream represents a chance to live free of religious, racial, or sexual restrictions. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, George and Myrtle, of the Valley of Ashes, attempt to attain the American Dream through arduous effort, but with a lack in social status, they are unable to achieve the Dream. Although originally characterized …show more content…
Individuals once filled with hope for the future are left weak and defeated, as they realize the American Dream is an unrealistic goal which only a select few are able to achieve. The imagery of George and his garage, especially the car, reveals the irony of his situation. “The interior was unprosperous and bare; the only car visible was the dust-covered wreck of a Ford which crouched in a dim corner… [George] was a blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome.” This depiction of George and his garage demonstrates his lack of ability to achieve the distorted American Dream, which eventually results in his downfall. The Ford car, which is an iconic American car, depicts a failed attempt at attaining the American Dream; this is ironic because cars are supposed to represent the wealthy due to their rarity, and yet George lives in the Valley of Ashes, struggling to pay for his expenses. Furthermore, although his physical …show more content…
Once Myrtle sends George away to retrieve chairs, her interaction with Tom evokes a sensuous mood of flirtation. “[Myrtle] smiled slowly… looking him [Tom] straight in the eye. Then she wet her lips...”. Myrtle’s affair with Tom illustrates the distortion of the Dream. With a desire so great to achieve the status of the upper class, Myrtle is willing to sacrifice true love for superficiality - a title in society. In Myrtle’s mindset, love is equated to wealth and power, rather than passion and affection. (Transition to Quote)(Quote Intro). “... thickish figure of a woman blocked out the light from the office door... [in a] dress of dark blue crepe-de-chine”. This imagery of Myrtle exposes the front she builds. The “crepe-de-chine” material of the dress is that of upper class, but the blue color breaks her facade since the wealthy are typically associated with the color white; this is because the rich have servants to do their dirty work, so their white clothing is kept in pristine condition (<- too repetitive of early part of