Which Novels Explore The American Dream Like 'The Great Gatsby'?

John Steinbeck’s 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a cornerstone of the American Dream narrative, but there are other novels that delve into this theme with equal depth. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 'The Great Gatsby' is a classic exploration of the dream’s illusion, where Gatsby’s rise to wealth is shadowed by his unattainable love for Daisy. It’s a stark reminder that the dream can be as hollow as it is alluring. Another powerful read is 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison, which examines the American Dream through the lens of racial inequality. The protagonist’s journey is a harrowing critique of a society that promises opportunity but delivers invisibility. For a more contemporary take, 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers a fresh perspective on the dream, exploring the immigrant experience and the complexities of identity in a new land. These novels, like Steinbeck’s, challenge the notion of the American Dream, revealing its complexities and contradictions.

I’ve always been drawn to novels that dive into the dark side of wealth, and 'The Great Gatsby' is just the tip of the iceberg. 'Tender Is the Night' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is another masterpiece that explores the crumbling lives of the wealthy, set against the backdrop of the French Riviera. The characters chase dreams that turn to dust, much like Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy. It’s a haunting look at how money can’t buy happiness or erase past mistakes.

Gatsby himself is the poster child for this collapse—he literally reinvents himself through bootlegging and obsessive longing for Daisy, thinking wealth can rewrite history. But his mansion full of strangers and the green light’s hollow promise show how the Dream rots into spectacle. Daisy’s another piece of the puzzle: her voice 'full of money' isn’t just poetic; it’s the death knell for authentic aspiration. She chooses comfort over love, proving the Dream’s core is transactional. Even Tom, with his inherited wealth, represents the old guard that crushes upward mobility. Together, they’re a trifecta of disillusionment—Gatsby’s grind, Daisy’s apathy, Tom’s entitlement. The Valley of Ashes? That’s just the debris they leave behind.‌

John Steinbeck’s novels often portray the American Dream as a mirage, something that seems attainable but is ultimately out of reach for the common person. In 'The Grapes of Wrath', the Joad family’s journey to California is fueled by the promise of prosperity, but they find only exploitation and despair. Steinbeck highlights the systemic inequalities that prevent the working class from achieving their dreams. The land of opportunity becomes a land of broken promises, where hard work doesn’t guarantee success but often leads to suffering. In 'Of Mice and Men', George and Lennie’s dream of owning a small farm symbolizes the universal desire for stability and independence. Yet, their dream is crushed by circumstances beyond their control, reflecting the fragility of hope in a harsh world. Steinbeck’s characters are often trapped by economic and social forces, making the American Dream seem like a cruel illusion. His works serve as a critique of a society that glorifies ambition while ignoring the barriers that make it unattainable for many.

In 'The Great Gatsby', love is a driving force that shapes the characters in profound and often tragic ways. Gatsby’s love for Daisy is obsessive and idealistic, pushing him to amass wealth and throw extravagant parties in the hope of winning her back. This love blinds him to reality, making him unable to see that Daisy is not the same person he once knew. Daisy, on the other hand, is shaped by her desire for security and status, which leads her to marry Tom despite her feelings for Gatsby. Her love is more about comfort than passion, and this ultimately causes her to retreat into her privileged world, leaving Gatsby behind. Tom’s love is possessive and controlling, reflecting his need to dominate and maintain his social standing. His affair with Myrtle is less about love and more about asserting his power. Myrtle’s love for Tom is rooted in her desire to escape her mundane life, but it leads to her downfall. Each character’s understanding of love is flawed, and these flaws drive the novel’s tragic events, highlighting the destructive power of misguided love.

Exploring themes of ambition and class dynamics, I’ve always been drawn to novels that delve into the complexities of social structures and personal aspirations. 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic that mirrors the struggle for upward mobility and the illusion of the American Dream. Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status to win Daisy’s love is both tragic and compelling. Another favorite is 'Vanity Fair' by William Makepeace Thackeray, which offers a satirical look at society through the eyes of Becky Sharp, a woman determined to climb the social ladder by any means necessary. Both novels, like 'Great Expectations', highlight the tension between ambition and morality, making them timeless reflections on human nature.

In 'Of Mice and Men', the American Dream is portrayed as both a beacon of hope and a cruel illusion. George and Lennie’s dream of owning a piece of land represents the ideal of self-sufficiency and freedom, a common aspiration during the Great Depression. Their vision is filled with warmth and simplicity—tending rabbits, growing crops, and living off the land. Yet, this dream is constantly out of reach, shadowed by their circumstances and Lennie’s limitations. The other characters, like Candy and Crooks, also latch onto this dream, revealing its universal appeal. Candy’s willingness to invest his savings shows how desperate people are for a better life. Crooks, initially cynical, allows himself to hope, highlighting the dream’s power to transcend racial barriers. However, the novel ultimately suggests that the American Dream is unattainable for the marginalized. Lennie’s tragic end shatters the dream, symbolizing the harsh reality that hope alone cannot overcome systemic inequality. For those interested in exploring similar themes, 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck delves deeper into the struggles of the disenfranchised during the same era. Steinbeck’s portrayal of the American Dream is deeply rooted in the socio-economic context of the 1930s. The characters’ aspirations reflect the broader societal desire for stability and prosperity, yet their failures underscore the systemic barriers that prevent them from achieving it. The dream is not just about material wealth but also about dignity and autonomy. George’s repeated narration of the dream to Lennie serves as a coping mechanism, a way to endure their harsh reality. The novel’s tragic ending forces readers to confront the fragility of hope in the face of insurmountable odds. It’s a poignant commentary on the disparity between the American Dream’s promise and its reality.

In 'Native Son', the American Dream is portrayed as a cruel illusion for African Americans, especially through the life of Bigger Thomas. The novel dives deep into systemic racism and economic disparity, showing how Bigger’s environment traps him in a cycle of poverty and violence. The American Dream promises opportunity and success, but for Bigger, it’s a mirage. His aspirations are crushed by societal barriers, and his actions—like the accidental killing of Mary Dalton—are born out of desperation, not malice. Wright doesn’t just critique the Dream; he exposes its hypocrisy. Bigger’s story is a mirror to the systemic oppression that denies Black Americans the chance to even dream. The novel forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about race and class in America. It’s not just Bigger’s failure; it’s the failure of a system that claims equality but perpetuates inequality. The American Dream, as depicted in 'Native Son', is a lie for those born into oppression.