The Great Gatsby Research Paper

657 Words3 Pages

Throughout ‘The Great Gatsby’ Fitzgerald weaves many different themes into it. The American Dream, Identity, wealth & class, while all prevalent themes, none is as impactful as the tale of Love and Romance portrayed throughout all chapters of the book. Today is what my essay will be tackling, how love, while an amazingly wonderful thing, is a wild and furious force. Love profoundly influences one's identity, often becoming the cornerstone around which individuals construct their lives. Jay Gatsby epitomizes this phenomenon as he dedicates his entire existence to winning the love of Daisy Buchanan. Upon reuniting with Daisy, Gatsby's infatuation becomes all-consuming, as noted by Nick Carraway's observation: "He hadn't once ceased looking at …show more content…

This is tragically exemplified in the demise of Jay Gatsby, whose pursuit of Daisy ultimately leads to his death. When George Wilson, consumed by grief over his wife Myrtle's death, mistakenly believes that Gatsby is responsible, he seeks revenge. His conviction is fueled by the belief that Myrtle's affair with Gatsby led to her demise, as he declares, "'I told her she might fool me but she couldn't fool God'" (Fitzgerald, 159). This quote highlights how George's love for Myrtle, combined with grief and a desire for justice, motivates him to take drastic and irreversible measures. Furthermore, Daisy's absence at Gatsby's funeral is another example of love-induced grief's impact. Despite her role in Gatsby's life and their tumultuous relationship, Daisy chooses to distance herself from the consequences of his death. Nick Carraway recounts, "'I called up Daisy half an hour after we found him. But she and Tom had gone away early that afternoon.'" (Fitzgerald, 164). Daisy's refusal to confront the reality of Gatsby's death illustrates how love, or perhaps guilt, can compel individuals to detach themselves from the repercussions of their