A debated question around The Great Gatsby remains: is Jay Gatsby all that “great”? Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of F. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, is perceived as a careless, enigmatic, romantic, and charismatic socialite widely known to be a self-made magnate with millions in cash. However, he has many flaws and virtues that will both aid and hurt his reputation amongst the educated readers of The Great Gatsby. During The Great Gatsby, set in the 1920s, Jay Gatsby started up in poverty and later grew with a burning determination to become famous and rich and the very embodiment of the American Dream. The profound use of “great" refers to someone with unique personalities and strengths that set them apart from the populous, such as those who leave …show more content…
Showcased by his extravagant parties, luxurious mansion, and larger-than-life persona, all contribute to his aura of greatness. Therefore, Gatsby’s iron separates him from most of the population, making him stand out from the beginning, beginning the “greatness” ideology. Additionally, the title "The Great Gatsby" is appropriate because it captures both the impressiveness of his aspirations and the tragedy of his life. The title "The Great Gatsby" is fitting because it encapsulates the glory of Gatsby's aspirations and the tragic inevitability of his fate. Gatsby's greatness is both his strength and his downfall. Gatsby's greatness lies in his relentless pursuit of his dreams, his ability to reinvent himself, and his extravagant lifestyle. He is not only “great” in his material wealth, but also in his capacity to dream and strive for something greater than himself. Unfortunately, the relentless pursuit of the American Dream ultimately leads to his downfall, as he becomes consumed by his obsession with the past and his inability to accept the reality of his