The Great Gatsby: The Dream Jay Gatsby, the central character of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, symbolizes the American dream. The American dream offers faith in the possibility of a better life. The resulting illusion is the belief that only material wealth can bring that dream to fruition. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald brings together both of these ideas. Jay Gatsby thinks that money is the answer to everything that comes his way. It has the best of everything. The nicest car, the biggest house and the nicest clothes. Jay has everything except the item he wants most, Daisy. Gatsby believes he can conquer Daisy with wealth, that he can achieve the ideal she represented through her material possessions. One look into Gatsby's past and you see that he was destined to move forward in life. Mr. Gatz told Nick that Jimmy would be able to move on. He always had resolutions like this or something. Do you notice what improves his mind? He's always been great about it. He once told me I was like a pig and I beat him for it (182). Gatsby's determination to gain large amounts of funding is an important part of the American dream. He believes that once he reaches his financial goal it will lead to a better life. In America the car is one of the greatest status symbols. Gatsby's stunning car is one of the most majestic cars ever created. Nick's comments on the vehicle describe its luster, ...and there in its monstrous length with triumphant overhead bins, dinner boxes and toolboxes...Sitting behind many layers of glass in a sort of leather veranda, we we set off towards the city ( 68). The use of the symbolic car can be seen as a demonstration of how an ideal based only on materialism can be destructive. This was the fatal car that kills Myrtle Wilson and indirectly leads to Gatsby's death. Appearance is another important factor for Gatsby's dream. In his quest to win Daisy's heart, Gatsby chooses to wear his best suit. ...the front door opened nervously and Gatsby in a white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold tie rushed in (89). Silver and gold are the colors of wealth, Gatsby's sartorial splendor is as sumptuous as any other item he owns. Gatsby's shirts are more than just garments towards Gatsby. They are some of the many fascinating objects he owns that were created by money. These shirts contribute to Gatsby's vision of the American Dream, that his money and possessions will create happiness for him. Another important object of Gatsby's dream was his incredible house. Jay states to Nick and Daisy: My house looks fine, doesn't it? See how its entire front catches the light (95). Jay gave Nick and Daisy a grand tour of his house showing off all his worldly possessions. Room after room, everything was shown and mentioned. At the sight of his piles and piles of shirts Daisy collapsed. They are such beautiful shirts, it makes me sad because I have never seen such beautiful shirts before (98). Jay Gatsby's ideals paralleled the typical American dream. He wants to claim his goal using his assets. He thinks his money will give him happiness in life through love and his belongings. Even the richest man in the world can't have everything. Material wealth could provide Jay Gatsby with many things, but not what he wanted most. Although his wealth brought Daisy closer to him, he could never truly possess her heart. He asked Daisy to declare that she had never loved Tom Buchanan. Oh, you want too much! she cried to Gatsby, I love you now - isn't that enough? I can't help what it is.