Naj Bignon Ms. Medranda English 12 June 10, 2024 The Cross Between the Great Gatsby & Jim Carrey Final Essay Wealth and fame, when achieved, often flaunted, and respected as a remedy for life, isn’t a reality for all. The talented and eminent comedian Jim Carrey, alongside the infamous book protagonist Jay Gatsby of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, represents this shallowness that follows. Both men, despite achieving immense monetary success, remain intertwined with ghosts of their past. Whether the pain comes from their unfortunate and depressing development years, or from the loss of the one thing that gave them their sense of purpose, they each have their share of disillusionment and loss of innocence. Jay Gatsby's relentless …show more content…
His disillusionment and the shattering of his naive dreams are evident throughout the novel. He clings to the belief that he can repeat the past, stating, "Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (Fitzgerald 110). This desperate hope reveals his childlike mindset, a distinct contrast to the jaded minds of the other characters. However, Daisy's refusal to leave her husband, Tom, and her retreat into the safety of her wealth and status expose the fallacy of Gatsby's dream. He realizes the Daisy he idealized never truly existed, leaving him broken. Beyond Daisy, Gatsby's disillusionment stems from the realization that the world he desperately sought to enter is inherently corrupt. He believed that by amassing wealth, he could win Daisy back and achieve happiness. However, Gatsby's lavish parties, filled with shallow guests, highlight the …show more content…
In a 2017 Medium article, Carrey stated "We lived in a van for a while, and we worked as security guards and janitors" (Shaw). This period of homelessness exposed him to the harsh realities of poverty and insecurity at an early age. Carrey's mother also battled chronic health issues. To support his family, he made the difficult decision to leave high school at 16 and enter the workforce full-time. This experience forced him to mature quickly and shoulder adult responsibilities, influencing his outlook on life. Despite achieving extraordinary fame and wealth, Carrey has often spoken about the limitations of material success. His statement, “I wish everyone could experience being rich and famous, so they'd see it wasn't the answer to anything," (from his 2017 documentary "Jim Carrey: I Needed Color") reflects a profound understanding that happiness and fulfillment extend beyond external achievements. Carrey's early experiences with poverty and instability, and family illness undoubtedly presented significant challenges. However, they also likely fostered his work ethic, empathy, and unique comedic perspective. His later disillusionment with fame and fortune suggests a nuanced understanding of life's complexities, rooted in those molding years. Carrey figured his troubled childhood and challenging upbringing would eventually be forgotten once he got wealthy, but to his surprise, nothing changed except the amount of money he had