In the bible, Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to save our world from sinners. Through his lifetime he made miracles, inspired others, and gave birth to one of the most powerful religions in the world. The Great Gatsby, explores themes of wealth, decadence, and the pursuit of the American Dream. However, beneath the surface, religious symbolism can be found, particularly in the character of Jay Gatsby. Gatsby can be seen as a Christ-like figure through his sacrificial nature, his pursuit of a higher purpose, his ability to inspire and transform others, and his tragic end. By examining key moments in the novel, we can unravel the layers of religious symbolism present in Gatsby's character.
Gatsby's sacrificial nature is evident throughout the novel. Just as Christ sacrifices himself for the salvation of others, Gatsby devotes his life to achieving his dream of winning back Daisy Buchanan. He throws extravagant parties and accumulates wealth solely to impress her. This selflessness is exemplified in his statement, "Can't repeat the past? ... Why of course you can!" (64). Gatsby believes he can rewrite history, sacrificing his own happiness to create a better future for Daisy. Gatsby’s sacrificial plan to win back Daisy has been in the making for 5 years.
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While Gatsby's goal may seem materialistic, his desire to recapture the past is imbued with a spiritual yearning for transcendence. Nick Carraway observes Gatsby's aspiration, noting, "He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it" (106). Gatsby's pursuit is rooted in the belief that love can redeem and transform him, just as Christ pursued to cure and transform humanity through