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This article examines how the American Dream is transformed into distorted values in two literary works.

May 11, 2026Open Access

The American Dream and the Destructive Influence of Distorted Values in an American Tragedy and the Great Gatsby

Key Points

This article examines how the American Dream is transformed into distorted values in two literary works.
Analysis of character transformations in An American Tragedy and The Great Gatsby.
Utilization of literary criticism linked to socio-economic contexts.
Examination of themes of ambition and moral responsibility.
Demonstrated that ambition, detached from ethics, leads to tragedy for characters and society.
Both novels reveal the illusion of success based solely on wealth and status.

Abstract

This article analyzes the transformation of the American Dream into a distorted system of values in An American Tragedy and The Great Gatsby. Through the analysis of Clyde Griffiths and Jay Gatsby, the study demonstrates how ambition detached from moral responsibility leads to personal and social tragedy. Drawing on literary criticism and socio-economic context, the paper argues that both novels expose the illusionary nature of success when it is defined solely by wealth and status.

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