are therefore cut off from the American dream as exemplified by the wealthy. Jay Gatsby's character in The Great Gatsby can be seen as a criticism of the American dream in that both provide a good front but lack substance and are unable to fulfill their potential. In this regard, many writers have commented on the mixture of illusion and reality which is seen in The Great Gatsby. For example, the novel makes the point that the elusive American dream is countered by the reality of different classes in American society. In addition, the character of Jay Gatsy embodies the conflict between illusion and reality in that his quest for Daisy does not match the reality of the situation that has developed since he first loved her. In The Gr
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