It was clear that this dream only caused corruption and destruction. Desire for these materialistic dreams leads people to pretend to be something they are not and this usually does not result in a positive outcome. Most of the characters in the novel The Great Gatsby all wanted money, wealth, and happiness and would do anything in their power to get it. The American Dream is defined as someone who starts from a low economic or social level and works hard to achieve prosperity and/or wealth and fame. Immigrants from many countries usually sacrifice their closest friends and family to move to America in hopes of building a better future for themselves and their family to come. In this quest to succeed, some lose sight of the big picture of building a better future. Many fall into a cycle of needing to earn money and show this wealth to others; however this is wrong. They think that by showing off wealth they will be happy but they don't realize that money can't buy happiness, which the characters in the novel don't think.