Examples Of Greatness In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, the novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald the character Gatsby does not represent the idea of greatness as the title implies. The very first time Gatsby gives the allusion of greatness is through his tremendous wealth, but by illegal activities and actions which in this case is bootlegging. Gatsby heroically shows his loyalty towards Daisy and takes the blame for Myrtle's death yet he completely leaves the scene of the crime and drives on causing an ethical dilemma. Lastly, Gatsby mainly arrives at this so-called title of “greatness” by achieving something that many can not, and that is bringing the love of his life towards his attention, but yet again through an affair which ultimately leads to a major conflict in his life. Through

Therefore if Gatsby knows what he does, what he is doing is clearly immoral. The suspicious activity of Gatsby's actions are exposed by Tom during chapter 7, “He and this Wolfsheim bought a lot of side-street-drug-stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” (Fitzgerald, 127). Again this proves Gatsby is selling alcohol and drugs during the prohibition which is considered and acts of unethicality during this time and period. Therefore to achieve a high level of success and wealth Gatsby carries out acts of illegal and unethical businesses and he is aware of

All these immoral and unethical actions are for one person, the love of his life Daisy but only through engaging in an affair and separating the Buchanan family only to fulfil his own desires and thoughts. Gatsby states “...but in her heart she never loved anyone except me!”(Fitzgerald, 130). This situation clearly shows that Gatsby needs to feel the constant sense of satisfaction and reminder of knowing that Daisy loves him and not Tom, but in this case Daisy did once love Tom and therefore she married him. During this time and era something like being in a affair was considered very scandalous and immoral. Yet knowing this Gatsby still engages in an affair and carries out acts of dishonesty, as Gatsby states “I wanted somebody who didn't gossip, Daisy comes over a lot nowadays”(Fitzgerald, 114) because he knows if something like this is exposed to the public it would be very bad for him and Daisy's reputation. Gatsby and his self desires have clearly gotten the best of him in this situation as he bought a massive house and throws parties only to hope to catch the attention of his lover, which in reality chooses Tom over Gatsby causing heartbreak and confusion towards