American Dream = get-rich-quick scheme ; happiness and success are desired as quick as possible

Daisy Buchanan :

• She thought money could make her happy : social status, ...
• She could never be happy in her marriage : objectified Tom into things he gave her, she is not in love with Tom's personality
• She feels distant from her daughter
• Depressed
• She cannot focus on the present, not able to live and enjoy the moment because of her pursuit of money and happiness
• She is too focused on her achievements, on her social status and what to do next
• She has never enough, always want more

Gatsby :

• He tries to attain happiness through wealth
• If money would mean happiness, Gatsby would definitely be happy : he has no real moments of happiness, he is poor inside
• He can afford everything he wants, but not what he wants the most : Daisy Buchanan
• He is known for his big parties but is very lonely : he lives in solitude
• He has no friends : no one really cared about him because nobody comes to his funeral
• He lived a lie (self-invented himself) just to impress Daisy : Gatz is imprisoned in Gatsby and there is no way out