Mark Barrowcliffe, an English writer known for his book about a picky man in search of the perfect woman, once voiced, “An obsession is a way for damaged people to damage themselves more.” Barrowcliffe argues that obsession means compulsion, obsession means insatiable desire, and obsession means blindly and foolishly pursuing one's demise. Correspondingly, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious, new-money millionaire, and his tragic journey to acquire the American Dream and revive his past love with Daisy Buchanan, a generationally wealthy, married woman, with the help of the protagonist. The development of Gatsby's obsessive, compulsive desire to recreate a deluded fantasy …show more content…
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines obsession as “a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling broadly: compelling motivation” (“Obsession” def1). One crucial example of obsession is presented when Gatsby finally claims Daisy's heart but loses part of his own. Gatsby’s realization of the impending dissipation of his individuality and life purpose is highlighted when Nick comments, “He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God” (Fitzgerald 110). Here, Gatsby realizes the extent of his obsession and how its success will ultimately result in Daisy occupying his entire being, leaving nothing for him to yearn for. This is detrimental to Gatsby since claiming Daisy is his sole aspiration in life. Now that his obsession is rewarded, his expectations are unfulfilled as he has nothing to live for or desire, therefore, tragically resulting in a hollow, empty man that longs and lives for nothing. Furthermore, Gatsby's romantic feelings for Daisy are abundantly coated in obsession to the point where she