The American Dream: Is It Worth Improving? Over the years, the inhabitants of America have been mobile people. Native Americans moved following the seasons and the migration of animals; the first Spanish settlers moved in search of gold; European settlers moved across the land; and in recent weeks, Southerners have moved to escape the tragedy. Although these four main diasporas seem to have individual reasons, all four share a common root: the American dream: the need to improve a certain lifestyle by making a drastic change. In their respective books, The Great Gatsby and Sula, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Toni Morrison demonstrate this phenomenon by creating characters who will do anything to improve their personal lives; however, both writers incorporate great failures into the lives of their main characters, thus rejecting the idealistic thoughts of the American dream. From a young age, James Gatz plans to change his social status; plans his days hour by hour; loses his first name for a new one; abandons home, family and friends; and most importantly, get a job as a smuggler to earn the desired amount of money. The schedule from an old book of James shows his plan for an entire day and includes a list of "GENERAL RESOLUTIONS (Fitzgerald, 173)," both of which show a general need for success. James' determination to "save $3.00 a week" (Fitzgerald, 173), shows an early understanding of the American Dream and the necessity of money. His further understanding of the way life works is expressed through the action of changing his name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby, a name that seems to flow more easily and deserve more respect than his previous, harsh name of James Gatz . His new name, in essence, opens up a new life for Gatsby and allows him to start over as he wishes. Gatsby's next choice, to abandon his home, family, and friends to sail for years aboard a yacht with a near-stranger, demonstrates Gatsby's belief that living a fantasy life aboard a yacht will allow him to lead a style great life in all aspects of life. his living. Finally, it is at this point that Gatsby makes the most important decision of his life, solely convinced that a high income will bring him happiness and, ultimately, the love of his life; Gatsby chooses to accept partnership with a man who works as a grain alcohol bootlegger.