Exploring the American Dream

The 1920s and 1930s represent two decades in our country’s history that were very much connected to one another but extremely different in terms of economy. The Great Gatsby takes place during the roaring 20s, a time of extravagant parties and attempts at finding happiness after World War I. On the other hand, The Grapes of Wrath takes place during the 30s while America is suffering from the Great Depression and people are leaving their homes and lives to find success and work in California. Although the times were very different economically, both were dominated by people striving for the American Dream of wealth and social status in an attempt of obtaining happiness, success, and a better life. During the 20s, people wanted to escape the terrors of the war and during the 30s they were attempting to survive during the devastation of the Great Depression. Both The Great Gatsby and The Grapes of Wrath do an amazing job of representing people’s desires for the American Dream and more specifically the prevalence of failure rather than success that came as a result of their efforts.

The Great Gatsby portrays a time in American history where much of the nation wants nothing more than to find happiness through money and forget the horrors of the war. The people that come to Gatsby’s parties rarely know him.