American Identity in Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that works of literature often focus on the nature of what people strive for, questioning what society suggests people should try to attain, such as the ambition for American identity as seen in the standards set by society on what is ideal and the impact this has on people. The author points out that, in "The Bluest Eye", Toni Morrison shows the tragedy of what happens when an individual cannot achieve the standard and, in "The Great Gatsby", F. Scott Fitzgerald shows the tragedy inherent in achieving the dream. The paper relates that, while the characters and situations are quite different in the two novels, they do have the same basic reasons at their base; they are both novels about the tragedy of accepting the American dream and striving to become the American ideal.

From the Paper:

"It is also important to note that the life that Gatsby and Daisy have is what the American dream is about. They have becomes what the standards of society say makes them the highest class and the happiest people. However, they have not truly achieved happiness. Certainly, they have achieved riches. But rather than enjoy them, Daisy spends her time worrying about losing them. It is also seen that Daisy's wealthy upbringing has made her a shallow person who only cares about wealth. The greatest sign of this is that she seems to be incapable of love."

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