How Is Jay Gatsby Ambiguous

The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that focuses on Jay Gatsby, and his attempt to regain a relationship that was left in the past with Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is an ambiguous character. Gatsby had many great qualities, such as being a dreamer, determined, devoted and wealthy. On the other hand, Gatsby possesses many flaws, a few being dishonest, possessive, naive, and living off an idea from the past. His inability to let go of the past and move on ultimately leads to chaos and reveals that Gatsby can not process the passage of time.
Nick Carraway, our narrator, learns much about Gatsby throughout his time living in West Egg. Gatsby was a “penniless young man,” however he fell in love with Daisy Buchanan, a well off young woman,

From this point on, Gatsby dedicates his life to becoming the man Daisy wished he was. “The house on my right was a colossal affair by any standard–it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden. It was Gatsby's mansion.”(Fitzgerald 5) We learn throughout the novel of Gatsby's great riches and compassion for others. He allows people to stay in his mansion after he throws carnival-like parties, he buys women new dresses after theirs gets ruined, and everything he does is to be ingratiated by the public and Daisy. He has big dreams, specifically to attract Daisy back into his life. “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way…Involuntarily I glanced seaward--and distinguished nothing except a single green

In chapter four of The Great Gatsby, Nick and Gatsby drive to New York City. During the ride, Gatsby enlightens Nick of his past, and how he became the man he is. “I'll tell you God’s truth…I am the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West-all dead now. I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford, because all my ancestors have been educated there for many years. It is a family tradition.” (Fitzgerald 65) We later learn in the novel that this is all a lie. Gatsby did not grow up in a wealthy family, rather a poor family on a farm in North Dakota. Gatsby keeps up this pretense throughout the novel. In chapter 7, Tom, Nick, Daisy, Gatsby and Jordan all go up the New York City on the hottest day of the year. The weather represents the tensions rising between Tom and Nick as fights break out between the two. Gatsby is a naive romantic, believing that Daisy will leave her husband, mansion and everything else behind for Gatsby. “Daisy, that’s all over now, It doesn't matter anymore. Just tell him the truth-that you never loved him-and it's all wiped forever.” (Fitzgerald 132) Although they once had a beautiful relationship, Gatsby is trapped in the past and can not move on. He is so controlled by the idea of rekindling what they once had, that he causes a huge fight to break out, which ultimately leads to Myrtle's death and Gatsby's death. His naiveness, dishonesty and rage when he is unable to win