Self-Betrayal in American Pastoral and Great Gatsby

The final scene in American Pastoral and the first party scene at the Gatsby estate in Great Gatsby serve important functions in explaining common characteristics of Swede and Gatsby. The scenes convey that both protagonists share a common trait of not being true to themselves. In these scenes, both characters betray themselves so that they can attempt to live their version of the American Dream. In Great Gatsby, Gatsby envisions his American Dream as marrying …

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