Figuring Out The Mystery Of Jay Gatsby

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Gabriel Palma Mrs. Coppola ENG 4U1-03 April 9, 2024 Figuring Out the Mysteries of Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby”. In “The Great Gatsby” the mysterious character Jay Gatsby allows readers to get drawn into an extravagant, aspirational, and delusional roaring twenties world where Gatsby has become a fascinating and mysterious figure. The inconsistency of Jay Gatsby's character had become a main topic among readers, even Fitzgerald himself admitted that Gatsby's representation in “The Great Gatsby” is a bit hazy and inconsistent. This ultimately begs the question of why Gatsby had intentionally left things unnoticeable and encourages individuals to dig deeper into the lessons that might be drawn from his disappearances. Through our exploration …show more content…

Fitzgerald's portrayal of his mysterious attraction shows how appealing and mysterious the search for fulfillment and success can be. J. Scott Fitzgerald characterizes Jay Gatsby’s smile in Chapter 3 as having an attractive appeal and always comforting surroundings. This Smile “Much more than understandingly it was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life,” (Fitzgerald, 48) conveys a rare appeal that was similar to the appeal of the American Dream. It represented Gatsby’s skill of presenting a picture of happiness and wealth while being able to hide all that exists beneath what is seen, similar to what has often been connected to achieving the American dream. Gatsby’s mysterious appeal is highlighted by Nick’s observation in Chapter 1 when he shows the unmatched optimism and readiness for romance that Gatsby embodies by saying “It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again. "(Fitzgerald, 3). This romantic preparedness shows the aspiration part of the American Dream, in …show more content…

The idealism embodied the American Dream which was reflected in Gatsby's unwavering pursuit of his goals, which had demonstrated a will to overcome setbacks and understand the possibilities of having a brighter future. Fitzgerald shows the diverse and complex character of the American Dream through Jay Gatsby, demonstrating his attraction, inconsistency, and persistent hold on the American Mind. Secondly, the mystery that surrounds Gatsby's origin and wealth has contributed to his difficult personality and enhances the theme of the American Dream’s nature. Fitzgerald had presented Gatsby as a mystery character, with a bunch of details about his background and the sources of his wealth being very skeptical. In Chapter 9, Nick reflected on Gatsby's mysterious manner, he noted “I found myself on Gatsby’s side, and alone”(Fitzgerald, 192). Nick realizes that the isolation and hidden features that surround Gatsby suggest that his mysterious demeanor sets him apart even from the crowd. This shows how the surroundings of Gatsby's character allow American readers to question the authenticity of his identity and the legitimacy of how he pursued the Dream. Gatsby's amazing display of