The Great Gatsby Research Paper

In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author presents the chase for the American Dream through the character Jay Gatsby, and his illegal and corrupt ways of achieving success. The American Dream is the belief that anybody can achieve great wealth and prosperity despite the class an individual was born into. Although the American Dream embodies the idea that anybody can achieve success. But as read in the novel, it is apparent that the American Dream is not for everyone. Jay Gatsby attempted to cheat success by using crime, corruption and manipulation to his advantage. This led to Jay Gatsby’s demise, his obsession with wealth, status and past love turned his American Dream into an American Nightmare. Jay Gatsby was not perceived as a member of old

I’ll bet he's killed a man.” Gatsby’s life revolves around trying to be accepted and get what he wants in any way possible, so much so that he completely hides his authentic self. Gatsby lied about many things, including attending Oxford and his family's wealth. Not only did he lie about his past, he completely changed his name. These acts together are known as a personality mask, Gatsby wore this mask to gain status but hiding your true self also has its negatives. Gatsby's mask negatively affected him, causing him to become more stressed, possessive, and obsessive. These compounding effects led to Gatsby making bad and irrational decisions, taking him further from his goal of achieving the American Dream. Gatsby’s obsessive behaviours are mentioned when Jordan and Nick talk about Gatsby in the following quote: ‘It was a strange coincidence,’ I said. ‘But it wasn’t a coincidence at all.’ Gatsby bought the house so that Daisy would be just across the bay,” Page 83. Gatsby’s obsessive behaviour only grew larger, with one particular person in mind,