In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the subject, Jay Gatsby, eludes extensive description of character. During the extent of the narrative the reader creates his own opinion of the individual. Fitzgerald intended this to create suspicion towards Gatsby. Despite the questionable characteristics, Fitzgerald did have reason for describing Gatsby as “great”. Such a reason is not clearly found on the surface, but more so on his driving spirit and determination. From the introduction of Gatsby’s character he is constantly being driven by his dreams of Daisy. No obstacle was impenetrable. This trait of Gatsby is what makes him “great”. In a lifestyle and society of careless and irresponsible people he seems pure. Unlike others who merely exist to entertain themselves, he did not acquire wealth for his own comfort, but for Daisy. An example of his pursuit for his dream and not for shallow amusement is his parties. Gatsby often holds exciting parties with interesting people, in which no expense is spared, but he himself barely makes an appearance at them. This shows that he does not wish to have a good time he is only after his dream.
Myrtle Wilson is not a character which influences the story herself, but more by her actions. Being Tom’s mistress the reader initially assumes she is a “bad” person. After further examination she seems to draw feelings of sympathy and pity. The feelings originate from the fact that she contains some of the same traits as Gatsby. She is not a “bad” person she is just following her dream, as was Gatsby. Not only were they both following a dream, but also, in essence, it was the same dream, to fit in with high-society. Myrtle was not Tom’s mistress because she was unfaithful to her husband; it was a way for her to live her dream of the wealthy life. The reader also has feelings of sympathy for Myrtle because she almost seems pathetic. In her small apartment she has decorated it with lavish objects to imitate the appearance of wealth. Also when Tom and Nick visited the Wilson’s house she made a point to explain that she did not care what she looked like when it was obvious that she did.
The Essay on The Great Gatsby Dreams
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a novel about the American Dream. In the Great Gatsby, the dream is that one can acquire happiness through wealth and power. To get his happiness Jay attempts to reacquire the love of his lost sweet heart, Daisy. The main problem with Jay?s dream is that Daisy is all ready married. Gatsby's personal dream symbolizes the larger American Dream ?The ...
In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald has many themes worked into his story. One theme, which is a major characteristic in many of his stories, is it is written almost autobiographical. Gatsby and Fitzgerald have many things in common. Gatsby is considered dirty money, and does not fit in with the old money types, but is constantly trying to fit in to impress a girl. Fitzgerald had little money but he would only impress the girl he was after if he were wealthy. Both are strikingly similar. Both men would stick with their dreams and were very determined. When Fitzgerald was told poor boys don’t marry rich girls, he would not be discouraged and kept struggling. Gatsby continuously tried to win Daisy over even when discovering she was now married.
Fitzgerald was not considered one of the greatest writers of his time for nothing. He had an uncanny connection with the written word that most cannot fathom. He was very talented, and no area of his work could be considered weak by any standards, but he was best at description by far. It is hard to describe the way Fitzgerald writes. It has an almost abstract quality to it. He will describe something, or someone’s feelings, by describing those things “around” it leaving the reader to fill in what is meant to be said. Many excerpts of his writings could be analyzed as simplistic, but when put in context with further study it could have many different layers and meanings. Different people can take his writing different ways and still get the same experience out of the book. An example of what has been rambled on about in this paragraph is:
“When we pulled out into the winter night and the real snow, our snow, began to stretch out beside us and twinkle against the windows, and the dim lights of small Wisconsin stations moved by, a sharp wild brace came suddenly into the air. We drew in deep breaths of it as we walked back from dinner through the cold vestibules, unutterably aware of our identity with this country for one strange hour before we melted indistinguishably into it again.”
The Essay on The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations: A Comparison
Since the beginning of time, society has been separated into classes; the rulers and the ruled, the rich and the poor, the nobility and the common folk. One can find examples of social caste systems in any time period. Over time, social standards have changed, but one thing has not. Those who possess wealth are thought to also possess happiness. From the outside looking in, the common man always ...
In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald talks, and sometimes hints at, carelessness. Mostly the group he has described as careless would be the wealthy. They do not think about the consequences of their actions. They do what pleases them, for however short it may be, not caring who or what they hurt in their way. To them there is a price tag on everything, they can buy happiness and friendship and not feel empty at all. Because they believe that their wealth makes them more important than anyone else, they do what they want. That is what careless means.
