Examples Of Greatness In The Great Gatsby

Greatness is for many people the ultimate goal. Many spend their whole lives trying to achieve greatness, trying to be remembered. But for some, greatness is simply thrust upon them. Nick Carraway, the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, thrusts greatness onto the protagonist Gatsby. Gatsby has many qualities associated with greatness. He is charismatic, intelligent, and a little eccentric. Additionally, Nick takes a particular interest in Gatsby because he is the epitome of the 1920s. Gatsby represents the new rich and that people really can achieve the American dream. The combination of these two things is what makes Gatsby great.
Despite Gatsby obvious flaws, he wins Nick and the reader over with his charisma, optimism, and passion. On page 116, Gatsby says, "Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can." This shows us the way in which Gatsby views the world as a sea of never ending opportunities. Gatsby truly believes that anything is possible which is in essence the American dream.

Though Nick recognizes Gatsby’s flaws, he cannot help but admire Gatsby’s brilliantly romantic idealization of Daisy, and his yearning for the future. Nick recognizes that Gatsby’s love for Daisy has less to do with Daisy’s inner qualities than with Gatsby’s own. Gatsby makes Daisy his dream because his heart demands a dream, not because Gatsby loves daisy. Further, Gatsby impresses Nick with his power to make his American dream come true. As a child he dreamed of wealth and luxury, and he has attained them, regardless of the means. As a man, he dreams of Daisy, and he wins her also to a certain extent. In Nick’s view, which is also impressed upon the reader, Gatsby’s capacity to dream and actually accomplish those dreams is what makes him