Happiness, is defined by a person’s well-being or positive state of mind. For many the pursuit of happiness leads to fulfillment in life. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the three main characters, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Nick Carraway all pursue happiness in different ways. For Gatsby, true joy can only be achieved by dwelling in his youthful past. Daisy, however, finds no enjoyment in past experiences but attempts to grow and learn. Nick finds happiness in facing the present and the adversity it presents. However, true happiness can only be found in looking to the future and what it may hold. The first character, Jay Gatsby builds his world around his past. Throughout the novel, Gatsby strives to win back his former lover, Daisy Buchanan. To Gatsby, Daisy symbolizes the most beautiful, unattainable prize that he needs to be win. Five …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby try to find happiness, none of them do. This is because true happiness can only be found in looking towards the future. For Gatsby, being caught in the past prevents him from moving on. With his immense wealth he potentially could have anything and do anything he wanted. If Gatsby would have looked to the future he would have known that the relationship with Daisy was not going to last and that she was never going to leave Tom. Looking to the future for Nick may have shown him what getting caught up in the New York City elites’ drama would cause. Nick could have realized that Jordan was a conceited woman who would not remain in his life and that his somewhat of a friendship with Gatsby would not last. For Daisy, living in the future would perhaps bring her some happiness that she could not find in the past or present. She could look forward to what opportunities her daughter may have and how their relationship could grow. For all the characters in the novel, living for the future would have brought them great