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          Arguably the most over-bearing theme of The Great Gatsby is the need to achieve the American Dream. This is relatable to almost everyone in America. Almost every character in The Great Gatsby has some dream or goal that they want to accomplish, however they face many difficulties along the way that usually prevent them from obtaining these goals. Usually, these difficulties that the characters face are much higher than they are, and prove to be too much than they can handle.

            Perhaps the best example of this is Jay Gatsby himself. He went from a career in the army and a janitor at Oxford, to one of the wealthiest men in West Egg. While obtaining eternal riches, and being able to have whatever he wanted in his life, he loses out on true companions. He has only one true friend, which turns out to be the narrator of the story, Nick. While going off to war, Gatsby’s love of his life choses to marry another man, and Gatsby loses her too. On the way up to living a successful life, Gatsby acquires prosperity, and ultimately the American Dream.

          Almost all Americans want to achieve much of the same that Gatsby achieved. They want the true definition of the American Dream, which is prosperity, happiness, and success. Even though they might start at the bottom, everyone deserves the right to believe that they can make it to the top. As said by Florence King, “People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they’re all asleep at the switch.” What this is stating is that while Americans all feel like they can achieve this eternal fame that is the American Dream, they fall short due to not taking action or to not catching a break. This can be derived directly from The Great Gatsby, and be found in the lives of every American today.