The endless hunt for something you know is unachievable will only end in wasted time and tepid disappointment. This idea is shown through Jay Gatsby's constant pursuit of things that he could not attain, such as his previous love, Daisy Buchanan, which ultimately ends in rejection and tragedy. Gatsby's desire for wealth and status to win Daisy's affection highlights the futility of chasing after unattainable dreams. This serves as a reminder that superficial desires do not provide meaningful fulfillment and only breed the constant desire for more. Self-made millionaire, Jay Gatsby, is seen hosting extravagant parties in hopes of becoming accepted within his community and rekindling the love that he had for Daisy Buchanan, a married woman. He believed that by becoming rich and powerful, he could turn back time and recreate their past love. However, Gatsby's dream was destined to fail from the very beginning. Originally, Daisy left Gatsby due to his lack of wealth and married Tom Buchanan. Her marriage to Tom provided her with wealth, status, and stability. All of which she valued to support her lifestyle and image. She was a shallow woman with desires and fears and was unwilling to abandon her life for Gatsby. She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me!" (102) Despite his best efforts, Gatsby was unable to change the past or win Daisy's affection. …show more content…
The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's dream of being with her. He reaches out to it, believing it is within his grasp, but it always remains out of reach. "I waited, and about four o’clock she came to the window and stood there for a minute and then turned out the light." (113) This symbolizes the broader idea of the American Dream, suggesting that some dreams are unattainable no matter how hard one