American Values in The Great Gatsby

The American Dream (the non-satirized, non-caricature version around in the early 20th century) is about obtaining freedom.  That has been one of American's earliest ideals, and complete freedom-to not be burdened by any trials, debts, or hardship-was most commonly achieved through wealth.  Fitzgerald seems to say through the Great Gatsby that after people achieve this American Dream and don't bow to anyone else's whim, they keep looking for wealth, to the point where they have license-the ability to do almost anything with little repercussions.  Fitzgerald uses both Tom and Gatsby to show how their wealth grants them license:  Tom takes a mistress and often cheats on his wife with other women without consequence.  He even breaks Myrtle's nose.  Gatsby throws parties with alcohol in prohibition era and even while he was speeding through New York all he had to do was show a policeman his name to not face charges.  Fitzgerald's message is that the American Dream isn't about earning enough money to achieve freedom, but rather is about the chase for the unattainable goal of infinite wealth to achieve complete license.