The pursuits of Fitzgerald’s Gatsby and Hunter S. Thompson have more in common than most would consider. In particular, each has his drive and motivation to chase that which remains elusive. While in pursuit, each does not see his ideal as elusive so much as extremely difficult to attain – which fed his clout. However, in the end, each had to succumb to the reality that that which he sought was indeed unattainable.
Thompson resigned himself to the absence of the purity he sought. He used his knowledge to compose a brutal and accurate account of events, while portending what was yet to come. Prophetic in his scope, Thompson used the power of words to indict the illusion of the American Dream, and to create an alternative view which no one had ever attempted before.
Eras of Excess and Decadence
Fitzgerald’s Gatsby is set in the 1920’s which he portrayed as a time of decadence and greed. It was a booming time despite the economic hardships of most Americans. Those who were rich, either by blood or entrepreneurial means, were those who were happiest.
Similarly, some of Thompson’s writings on the American dream were set in a time of decadence and greed – namely, the 1980’s. Appropriately titled, Generation of Swine is filled with stories of the inane nature of Americans run amok in an era of excess. In particular, Thompson’s observations of politicians and [business in] Washington, in general, painted a brutal picture of the downward spiral America had happily boarded.
Gatsby’s Green Lights
The green light at the end of the dock was representative of all for which Gatsby longed. It represented his hopes, his dreams, and essentially the American Dream – money, material wealth, and status. He associates the light with love and Daisy which are part of his dominant dream, unfortunately both appear to be unattainable ideals as well.
Others around him see the green light and make the same associations, but unlike Gatsby, they are content sitting on the dock gazing at the light. Gatsby resorted to criminal activity to make his dreams a reality, and it ultimately led to his demise. In a failed attempt, he tried to redeem himself through what good qualities he still possessed.
Thompson’s Pursuit of the American Dream
Thompson spent most all of his career searching for the American Dream. His work Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72 is essentially his quest to find honesty in the political arena, namely a virtuous politician. The book was the catalyst for a long, painful, obsessive journey.
It goes without saying that he never found that for which he was searching. One just needs to read his other works, which followed the Campaign Trail ’72,to gain an appreciation of how far reaching the illusion penetrated the American psyche. Instead of searching for that glorious green light, Thompson wrote with a brutal honesty and perspective which initiated accurate accounts of what had gone terribly wrong with American society, its politicians and government.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.
Thompson, Hunter S. Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. New York: Warner Books, 1973.
