Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject Didactics - English - Literature, Works, grade: 2,3, University of Constance, language: English, abstract: The "Great Gatsby" seems to tell a story about a typified American Dream, a young man who was able to escape poverty and living a high-class lifestyle. But after all it cannot be easily determined if it is a story that represents the American Dream or if the Dream he had changed into a Nightmare. In the following, a short outlook about the American Dream in general will be given, the definition and the meaning of the American Dream. Secondly, the topic of the American Dream regarding the "Great Gatsby", the achievements and Gatsby's desire for a better life, will be analyzed. Thirdly the contrariety of the American Dream, the American Nightmare in the novel will be presented with specific symbols that play an important role, his failure and the price he had to pay for his dream.