Abstract

This essay will focus on several parallel points of these seemingly distant characters Jay Gatsby and George Wilson from three similarities to depict the deterioration of the society in 1920s and a sense of disillusionment of the American dream. One is economic struggles. The life of utter destitution of Gatsby closely resembles that of Wilson, which inspires their dreams. Both originate from the low class, resolving to earn wealth through paying hard efforts. Second is a romantic love triangle, which pushes the story into a climax. Gatsby’s keen affection has been attached to Daisy who has married to Tom; Wilson takes extreme measures to keep his wife Myrtle, Tom’s long mistress. The last one is their death caused by Tom, saying that the owner of that death car is Gatsby, so Wilson takes revenge and then commits suicide. The dreams of Gatsby and Wilson fall shattered by Tom, which highlights the decline of the American Dream and the disillusionment of that generation.

Key words: similarities; George Wilson; Jay Gatsby

摘要

论文将围绕杰伊·盖茨比和乔治·威尔逊的相似之处从三个方面展开，揭示出世纪20年代社会堕落的现象和当时“美国梦”给人带来的失落感。第一，经济上的拮据。他们都出生在下层家庭，这激发了盖茨比和威尔逊的美国梦,他们希望凭借自己的奋斗变得富有。第二，三角恋的爱情，这把故事推向了高潮。盖茨比对嫁给汤姆的黛西穷追不舍，威尔逊蛮横挽留早成为汤姆情妇的妻子。第三，他们被伪装的汤姆杀害。因为汤姆说盖茨比是那辆凶车的主人，威尔逊才复仇然后自杀。盖茨比和威尔逊的梦想被汤姆粉碎了，揭示了美国梦破灭的事实和那个时代背景下人们的幻灭感。

关键词：相似之处；乔治•威尔逊；杰伊•盖茨比