The Great Gatsby - 10

"He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city,where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night." pg. 181

I think that Gatsby not realizing what his dream was  is reflective upon the American dream being lost. The American dream was what everyone wanted but once people had it, they sought for more and more. People were no longer satisfied with simply America. They desired more wealth and materials. The American dream turned into a shallow monetary competition. People were missing the beauty of American freedom and liberty and were solely driven by success and wealth. People were failing to realize that they had indeed already achieved the American dream. They blew past what they had gained and failed to recognize their progress. Gatsby's death shows that we need to appreciate our successes and not to set them aside, or it will be all for nothing.