If one is optimistic and willing to take a chance then he/she has the power to be successful and achieve whatever goal. This is the idea I believe the author Fitzgerald is trying to portray about the American dream in his book The Great Gatsby. One quote from the book that expresses this idea is, "All I kept thinking about, over and over, was 'You can't live forever; you can't love forever'" (Fitzgerald 40). In this example there is a lot of motivation in what the character is thinking to him/herself. By reading between the lines we can see that the character is determined to reach his/her goal because time is running out each and everyday. Another quote from the book which ties in with the concept of the American dream is, "tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…. And one fine morning——..." (Fitzgerald 193). This shows how people will always look forward to the next day to continue trying. There is always hope to gain success if you work hard. And so, in the end believing in yourself and further most staying optimistic can really impact the route to the desires you have in life. This is just one part of how the American dream goes side by side with the book.