Examples Of Happiness In The Great Gatsby

Most people are unique and diverse in their definition of happiness. There are no guidelines to set the boundaries as to what each person considers pleasant, or worth pursuing. These differences are sometimes due to the varying levels of wealth, family histories, and an individual’s past. Nonetheless, though individuals have different definitions of happiness, the ways in which they pursue it can often be the same. For instance, in the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, most of the major characters seek happiness in a similar manner; however, their endeavours are unsuccessful. This is because they are trying to recreate happiness which they have experienced in the past, rather than focusing on opportunities in the present. Fitzgerald

Gatsby is determined to win Daisy back, from his rival Tom, so that Gatsby and Daisy can live together which is something he has dreamed of ever since their relationship ended at the beginning of the war. According to Nick’s perspective, Gatsby “[wants] to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving daisy.” In Gatsby’s mind, however, Gatsby truly believes that if he can “fix everything just the way it was before” he can reach eternal happiness. However, the one and only method to “fix everything” is by “[repeating] the past.” As a result Gatsby is rendered ineffective by his reluctance to accept many of the present facts which stand in the way of this. For instance, he seems very surprised when he sees Daisy’s daughter, as though he has convinced himself that time stopped for Daisy when her relationship with him ended. He merely cannot comprehend that there are many real and unavoidable obstacles in his path to win Daisy back. Gatsby’s blindness towards reality is well depicted when Tom allows Daisy to drive home with him. (ADD MORE HERE, how does it show that Daisy will not choose Gatsby) Indeed, Tom proves the point that Daisy is lost to Gatsby. Nonetheless, Gatsby still believing “at some last hope,” cannot leave, and is eventually doomed to die. This proves that trying to stimulate the past is pointless: it only makes one unable

In fact, Tom also seems to be modeling his present after his past. This is clearly visible through Nick’s narration of how Tom “had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football” and how due to his “acute limited excellence … that everything afterwards savors an anticlimax.” (Explain more here, how is it that Nick’s observation shows Tom is not investing in the present) One way that we can see this is how Tom believes that he is entitled to get involved in relationships with lower class and underprivileged women right in front of everyone’s face. He behaves as though he is still “a national figure” who is admired by many and who has no real responsibilities to tie him down. Perhaps his “freedom with money” helps him to keep this impression of himself. Nevertheless, after each of his affairs ends, Tom is dissatisfied and left feeling alone, as is seen with Myrtle. These affairs cause a state of oblivion, where he doesn’t even notice that his own wife has become involved with Gatsby. It is clear from his reaction of jealousy, that he does value the wife he ignores- but is unable to appreciate what he has because he is clinging to past happiness and success. It can be said that despite trying to re-live in the past, Tom does not reach happiness and is unable to see what has been going on with his wife and