Exposing the Morally Corrupt American DreamThe 1920s were a decade of rebirth characterized by the affirmation of the "American Dream" - the belief that anyone can and should achieve material success. F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel, The Great Gatsby, contains themes and morals that continue to be relevant today. In his novel, Fitzgerald criticizes the American dream by describing its negative characteristics: class struggles between rich and poor, superficiality of the rich and false relationship between money and happiness. Furthermore, the main character also serves as a metaphor for the inevitable fall of the American dream. "The Great Gatsby... describes the failure of the American dream, from the point of view that American political ideals are in conflict with real existing social conditions. Indeed, while American democracy is based on the idea of ​​equality between people, the truth is that social discrimination still exists and class divisions cannot be overcome" (Internet 1). It is impossible for everyone to become rich, since material wealth is largely based on social position, and class divisions prevent the poor from succeeding. “One thing is certain and nothing is certain anymore / The rich get richer and the poor get – children” (Fitzgerald 101). Myrtle's attempt to join the group the Buchanans belong to is doomed to fail. She has a relationship with Tom and takes on all the negative qualities of her social group; not only does she become corrupt and immoral, but she despises people of her own class. “I thought he knew something about ranching but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe” (Fitzgerald 39). Myrtle and Tom's adulterous behavior,......center of the paper...the American dream of success and money is nothing more than a morally corrupt fantasy. Works Cited Fahey, William A. F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The American Dream. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited, 1973. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Ed. Matteo J. Bruccoli. Toronto: Simon & Schuster Inc, 1995.Internet 1. "http://www.uni-ulm.de/schulen/gym/sgu/gatsb/klaus2.htm". F. Scott Fitzgerald Centennial Home Page. "The Great Gatsby Theme". University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, 1997. Internet 2. "http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby2.html." Works by F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Great Gatsby: Chapters 5 - 9". Infonautics Corporation, 1998. Internet 3. "http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby3.html". Works by F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Structure of the Great Gatsby". Infonautics company, 1998.