When we think about the American Dream, images of prosperity, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness often come to mind. It’s a concept that has been ingrained in the fabric of American culture for centuries. However, the interpretations of this dream can vary widely depending on one’s perspective and experiences. Two literary works that offer contrasting yet complementary views on this theme are Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” Both texts explore the nuances of ambition, success, and ultimately, disillusionment in the quest for what it means to achieve the American Dream.
Chasing Freedom: Chris McCandless in Into the Wild
In “Into the Wild,” we meet Chris McCandless, a young man who embarks on a journey across America with dreams of escaping societal norms and discovering true freedom in nature. His story is one of idealism—he believes that by stripping away material possessions and social expectations, he can find authenticity and meaning in life. This longing for genuine experience is reminiscent of the original tenets of the American Dream: individualism and self-determination.
Chris rejects conventional pathways to success; he shuns wealth and status for a more minimalist existence. He adopts an ascetic lifestyle as he travels across America under various aliases like Alexander Supertramp. For him, happiness lies not in accumulating things but rather in personal discovery and connection with nature. This perspective reflects a radical departure from traditional definitions of success—where wealth accumulation is often paramount—and emphasizes emotional fulfillment over material gain.
However, Chris’s journey also highlights a darker side to his idealistic pursuit. His desire to live authentically leads him into isolation—a path that ultimately culminates in tragedy when he dies alone in an abandoned bus in Alaska. While his intentions were noble, his story serves as a cautionary tale about how extreme individualism can lead to alienation from society and oneself.
The Illusion of Success: Jay Gatsby’s Pursuit
In stark contrast stands Jay Gatsby from Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” who embodies another facet of the American Dream—the relentless pursuit of wealth as a means to win love and acceptance. Gatsby’s transformation from James Gatz into Jay Gatsby illustrates how ambition can manifest itself through materialism; his opulent mansion and extravagant parties symbolize his attempt to create an image worthy enough to win back Daisy Buchanan’s affection.
Gatsby represents those who chase after their dreams within established societal frameworks—he plays by society’s rules but twists them towards his own ends. Unlike Chris McCandless’ rejection of societal norms altogether, Gatsby seeks validation through them yet remains perpetually unsatisfied despite amassing great wealth. The hollow victory becomes evident when we realize that no amount of money or social status can rekindle Daisy’s love or erase past mistakes.
This paradox highlights another critical aspect: while both characters yearn for something more significant than themselves—whether it’s truth or love—they find themselves caught up in delusions crafted by society’s ideals about success. The tragic end for both characters underscores that chasing these dreams often leads not just to personal failure but also reflects broader cultural disillusionment with what was once deemed attainable.
Contrasting Journeys Towards Disillusionment
The journeys taken by Chris McCandless and Jay Gatsby provide profound insights into different interpretations of the American Dream while also revealing shared themes: idealism versus reality and individualism versus social constructs. While Chris seeks transcendence away from civilization into nature’s embrace only to find despair alone amid wilderness solitude; Gatsby navigates high society’s excesses only to face emptiness within its glamorous façade.
The irony here is striking—both embody different aspects yet confront similar conclusions about aspiration leading not toward fulfillment but rather heartache masked by fleeting moments filled with hopefulness before descending into despair—a critique towards contemporary America’s fixation on material gain over authentic connections.
A Lasting Reflection
In summary, both “Into the Wild” and “The Great Gatsby” serve as poignant reflections on what it means to pursue one’s version of the American Dream—from self-discovery amidst nature’s vastness through isolation or longing lost love cloaked beneath wealth accumulation amongst high society glamorization—yet highlighting inherent pitfalls along these diverging paths towards achieving contentment may lie instead within ourselves rather than external validations sought after so desperately!
- Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. Anchor Books, 1996.
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner Classics, 1925.
- Taylor, D.W., “The Pursuit Of Happiness: Exploring The Limits Of The American Dream,” Journal Of Cultural Studies (2018).
- Parker, C.B., “Idealism Versus Reality In Fitzgerald And Krakauer,” Literary Analysis Review (2020).
- Sullivan K.L., “Disillusionment And Isolation In Modern Literature,” Contemporary Literary Critique (2019).
