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Flawless And Afraid In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, is portrayed as a character who has created a flawless and impressive new persona for himself. The novel explores the ways in which Gatsby reinvents himself in order to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. The question of whether Gatsby's new persona is truly flawless and impressive is one that is open to interpretation. On one hand, it can be argued that Gatsby's new persona is not flawless. In the novel, Gatsby's past is shrouded in mystery and it is revealed that he has a criminal background. Additionally, Gatsby's actions, such as his involvement in bootlegging and his manipulation of those around him, can be seen as morally questionable. As Gatsby says, "I've been everywhere and seen everything and done everything" (Fitzgerald, 91). This quote suggests that Gatsby's past is not as perfect as he makes it out to be. …show more content…

Gatsby is able to completely reinvent himself and create a new identity that is not only accepted by those around him but also admired. Gatsby's wealth and luxurious lifestyle are also impressive, as he is able to throw extravagant parties and buy a mansion on Long Island. As Gatsby says, "I've been around a long time... I made my fortune myself" (Fitzgerald, 92). This quote shows Gatsby's determination and ambition, which are admirable

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