In Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, he honestly portrays the 1920's through his narrative, Nick Carraway, who claims to be impartial by reserving all judgment, and is able to provide the most accurate depiction of Gatsby's life, which, becomes very important because Fitzgerald is able to utilize Gatsby's complex character to criticize the 1920's and the American dream that swept the nation. The 1920's was a time of optimism and the pursuit of unreachable dreams, …showed first 75 words of 455 total…

…showed last 75 words of 455 total…a servant who isn't even worthy of using the front door; showing that the American dream has brought Gatsby either happiness or respect. The life of Gatsby was used to criticize the American dream, which was very popular during the 1920's, and to further rationalize the superficiality that engulfed the jazz age. Gatsby's life and its short comings effectively showed that the American dream was an empty promise that was unreachable for even the elite.