In this article published by the Huffington Post, author Mark W. Guay goes into detail about how this idea of the "American Dream" has changed for each generation. The great-grandparents of the new generation came to America to flee from the injustices of their home nations, hoping to find employment and a safe place to raise their families. They considered America the "land of golden bricks" (Guay). The next generation, after World War 2, dreamed of having a perfect family and a home "with a white picket fence" (Guay). But now with increasing student-loan debt and a housing market crash, millennials are having to recreate a new American Dream. This generation has less of a desire for materialistic items like homes and money, and a stronger craving for a life with purpose. Millennial's American Dream is to impact their world and have a positive change on the future.
Gatsby lived his entire life chasing his idea of this American Dream. By filling his life with materialistic riches and ostentatious parties, Gatsby hopes to build up his reputation and be worthy of his dream girl, Daisy. Daisy is viewed as the "Golden Girl". Winning her heart and being worthy of her love is Gatsby's ultimate goal, and he believes that be must achieve this goal before he is truly successful. His love for Daisy is very shallow and superficial, more for the title of it, rather than the meaning behind it.
The millennials have a dream for their lives that is much different than Gatsby's. Their idea of success is leading a life full of purpose and achievement, rather than working to fill their lives with wealth and lusting over material items.
Article: (
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-w-guay/how-millennials-are-redef_1_b_7092990.html)
No comments:
Post a Comment