Ryan Wasch, 3rd period Gatsby Is A Tragedy "The Great Gatsby," reveals the “American Dream” and explores the destructive power that is greed. At the center of the narrative lies Jay Gatsby, a self-made man whose pursuit of wealth and social status reveals the lengths he’ll go for his greed. As Gatsby arranges his extravagant parties and constructs his facade of success, his uncontrollable desire for material possessions and social acceptance leads him down a path of deception and tragedy. Through Gatsby's character, the author portrays the harmful effects of greed going unchecked, ultimately cautioning against the dangers of pursuing illusions. Gatsby's uncontrollable greed manifests in his materialistic pursuits. Born into poverty, he becomes determined to accumulate wealth and possessions as a means of changing who he is and ultimately winning the love of Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's pretentious parties, lavishly furnished mansion, are examples of his desire to showcase his wealth and social status. However, Gatsby's accumulation of material possessions goes beyond just social ambition; it becomes an obsession for him to maintain. His ambitious lifestyle serves as a mask to conceal his true self, showing the extent of his greed. …show more content…
He believes that by being wealthy, he can bridge the gap between himself and the upper classes of society, thereby blinding him of his humble origins. His infatuation with Daisy, who represents the epitome of wealth and social status, fuels his pursuit. He continues to fuel this facade by going as far as buying a house across the bay from Daisy's in order to feel closer to her, in hope that his newly accumulated wealth will make him worthy of her attention and love. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy and his desire to fit into her social circle shows his uncontrollable greed for