The character of Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is both mysterious and intriguing. Nick Carraway titles the book after him, which suggests that he holds Gatsby and thinks of Gatsby as “Great”. However, whether Gatsby deserves to be called "Great" is debatable because there are both positive and negative qualities that make up his character. In this essay, I will argue that Gatsby is both great and flawed, and that in the end, the mediocrity of his life wins out. To begin, Gatsby is great in the sense that he embodies the American Dream. He is a self-made man who has risen from humble beginnings to achieve wealth and status through hard work and determination. He is also great in the sense that he has an incredible capacity for hope, which is evident in his pursuit of Daisy. Despite the many obstacles in his path, he never gives up on his dream of winning her back. This is exemplified in his famous quote, "Can't repeat the past? Why, of course, you can!" (Fitzgerald 110). Gatsby's optimism and determination are admirable qualities that make him a great character. …show more content…
His pursuit of wealth and status has led him to become involved in illegal activities, and he is not above lying and deceiving others to achieve his goals. He is also painfully naive, particularly when it comes to his relationship with Daisy. He believes that if he can just win her back, everything will be perfect, but he fails to see that their relationship is built on a foundation of illusion and nostalgia. This is evident in his conversation with Nick, where he says, "I thought of her as a sort of golden girl" (Fitzgerald 120). Gatsby's naivete and willingness to deceive himself are major flaws that detract from his