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F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'

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The Great Gatsby: Jay Gatsby’s Greatness In modern day society, greatness is measured by one’s wealth rather than the content of one’s character. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is great. With this in mind, Jay Gatsby’s rise to greatness is accomplished by fulfilling the American Dream, his opposition towards societal norms in the 1920s, and his honest ambition of love for Daisy Buchanan. Jay Gatsby’s rise from a poor farmer boy in North Dakota to living a lavish lifestyle in West Egg, Long Island is one’s goal while pursuing the American Dream. With this in mind, Jay Gatsby’s sudden climb from poverty to wealth expresses his true greatness. Prior to the Jay Gatsby that citizens of West Egg know and admire, he is once …show more content…

Moreover, Tom Buchanan is a misogynistic character who abuses women and takes advantage of his wealth. In contrast to Jay Gatsby, who does not use his wealth as leverage amongst others, and treats all women he encounters with respect. Rather than Tom Buchanan where wealth makes him snobby and arrogant. Jay Gatsby genuinely cares for his guests. His generosity is outlined when Lucille, a party guest, recalls what Jay Gatsby does for her at a previous party, “When I was last here I tore my gown on a chair, and he asked me my name and address- inside of a week I got a package from Criorier’s with a new evening gown in it” (45). This reveals Jay Gatsby’s appreciation for people he encounters and his action of placing his party guests in the highest degree. On the contrary to daily tendencies in the 1920s, where women are not receiving the recognition they deserve, Jay Gatsby offers the upmost respect. Similarly, treating women as objects is prevalent in the 1920s. Men use their wives when they need to, move on to different women, but later retreat. With this in mind, Tom Buchanan does so with Daisy Buchanan, cheating on her with Myrtle Wilson and attempting to retreat back to her. Tom Buchanan states his regrets during his conflict with his wife, “Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time” (125). This reveals Tom Buchanan’s true …show more content…

This reveals the decency and humility behind Jay Gatsby’s character. Furthermore, this reveals that although Jay Gatsby is a wealthy man on the surface, he is a poor boy at heart. Rather than impressing her by boasting his wealth, he simply would be satisfied with meeting her at his neighbour’s house for tea. Jay Gatsby’s greatness is not due to is wealth. Instead, it is a result of his true and humble love for Daisy Buchanan. Despite the fact he receives everything he desires in life, he is still missing his Holy Grail; Daisy Buchanan. The bottom line of Jay Gatsby’s greatness is he will work and constantly to acquire what he yearns for. Despite all of this, if any circumstances arise attempting to halt him from his journey, Jay Gatsby stays true to his self. This truly reveals why Jay Gatsby is a great

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Likewise, Jay Gatsby is also a rich man even though he grew up poor. Jay’s mansion has “marble steps” with “jonquils” in the garden (Fitzgerald 97). One can make a connection that Tom and Jay is in love with Daisy Buchanan. Similarly, both men exhibited their

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F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby portrays the lives of wealthy Americans living in the success and grandeur of the Roaring Twenties. Within the novel, the epoch’s legacy of material want and the need for human connection clash in the form of Daisy Buchanan. Her inner conflict between the two desires are symbolized in Jay’s letter and Tom’s pearls. Jay’s letter to Daisy Buchanan proves the romance of their relationship, while Tom’s pearls ultimately represents Daisy’s decision to abandon that love for wealth.

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, "The Great Gatsby," the characters of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan stand as stark contrasts in the social tapestry of the Roaring Twenties. Both men inhabit the glittering world of wealth and excess, yet their origins, motivations, and moral compasses diverge significantly. This essay will delve into the intricate similarities and profound differences between Gatsby and Tom, exploring the thematic nuances that shape their characters. Despite the pervasive negative portrayal of Tom Buchanan throughout the narrative, an intriguing question arises: why does Daisy, caught between the allure of Gatsby's romantic idealism and the stability of Tom's old money security, choose to remain entwined with the latter?

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Jay Gatsby is obsessed in winning back his long lost love Daisy Buchanan and does not allow for anything or anyone to come in his way of regaining her love. Gatsby is so fixated by his lust and need for Daisy, that he follows the corrupted American Dream. When he returns from his service he pursues his first part of his dream, wealth, through shady schemes alongside his new partner Meyer Wolfsheim and disregards all sentiments of wrongdoings. He quickly becomes a new man. After his success in gaining wealth becomes a reality; the next dream is being worthy of Daisy’s love once more.

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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a story set in 1920s New York City that focuses on the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious wealthy man who has his heart set on Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy woman and past lover, but this seemingly rejuvenated flame is complicated by Daisy’s husband Tom Buchanan. This story is told from the viewpoint of the narrator, Nick Carraway, and throughout the summer we see the story of love develop and end in a tragic turn. While many view following their dreams as life’s ultimate purpose, Fitzgerald reveals to readers that they should follow their dreams, but maintain balance and perspective in their lives. The novel reveals that while chasing one's dreams is admirable, becoming consumed by them, as seen in Gatsby's tragic story, can alter one's view and lead to disillusionment.

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The Great Gatsby was a book that hooked many readers to Jay Gatsby’s story, a tragic story about success and love. However, once the book is finished, readers can’t help but wonder if Gatsby was truly great. Whilst living a life of luxury with high status and lavish parties, he was aiming for one thing and one thing only. To have Daisy Buchanan be his, even though she was a married woman. This proves that Gatsby is not great.

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In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is rejected by Daisy for not meeting her standards, so he does business with Dan Cody. Jay inherits riches that fast-track him to Daisy and wealth, “‘Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay’” (Fitzgerald 83). Jay creates a life for himself in hopes of reconnecting with Daisy; he needed Daisy’s rejection as a source of motivation to settle comfortably, and Nick gives Jay credit for remaining pure in the upper class, “You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together” (164). Jay’s growth from a poor boy into a humble man is critical to the development of Jay as a character and the novel.

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For all of the wealth and material he had accumulated, none of it was remarkable until Daisy said it was. “I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from (Daisy’s) well-loved eyes.” (Fitzgerald 91) As soon as Jay re-entered Daisy’s life and their attraction became obvious, Tom knew he was a threat not only to their marriage but to his self-image. Even though Gatsby was Tom’s nemesis, they both were unsatisfied with their lives.

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald 's The Great Gatsby, as Jay Gatsby delves into his pursuit of wealth and need for materialism, his hopes and aspirations become shattered in a world of unobtainable and unreachable possibilities. While Jay Gatsby confidently believes that material excess will ultimately bring about love, admiration, and prosperity, the audience understands that the possession of material objects does not always lead to the possession of these intangible virtues. The richest and happiest man is the one who sets the joy and happiness of others in the center of his wealth. As Jay Gatsby dedicates himself to winning over Daisy Buchanan and falls in love with her aura of luxury, Gatsby becomes overwhelmed with an unremitting desire for money and pleasure that eventually triggers his downfall. He has one purpose in life: to attract Daisy with his ornate house on West Egg and with his overflowing sum of money.

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"The Great Gatsby" is an outstanding piece of classic American literature. F. Scott Fitzgerald discusses the issues on-post-war society, the American dream, love, and wealth. This draws attention to the readers that question if Jay Gatsby is "Great". Despite the uselessness of his beginnings, Gatsby is great due to the intensity of his will. Although, Gatsby is a person whose false love, materialism, and egotism led him to the tragic end.

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