Sam Parupudi Dr. Paskali H English 3 6 March 2024 Gatsby’s Tragic Odyssey The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald chronicles Jay Gatsby, a wealthy but enigmatic man, throwing lavish parties to win back a lost love, Daisy. Narrated by his neighbor, Nick Carraway, the novel exposes the emptiness beneath Gatsby's dream and the dark side of the American Dream in the 1920s. In the tragic journey of an Aristotelian hero, the intertwined forces of Hamartia and hubris shape their downfall. Hamartia, the inherent flaw, often embodies hubris, the excessive pride that blinds them. This potent pairing propels the narrative into peripeteia, a sudden reversal from prosperity to adversity. In the societal decadence of the Roaring Twenties, The Great Gatsby …show more content…
Nick's rhetorical question, "Why go on living with them if they can't stand them?" Fitzgerald 33 not only questions Tom and Myrtle's relationship but also critiques the sustainability of marriages built on contempt, thereby offering a broader critique of the disingenuous societal institution of marriage. Myrtle's harsh response regarding Mr. Wilson reveals the unhappy state of her marriage. Her admission of marrying Wilson due to his "favorable breeding" exposes the superficiality underlying her marriage ideals. Myrtle's derogatory remark about Wilson juxtaposed with her desire for Tom, a man of higher social standing, highlights class differences and the conceit of individuals aspiring to climb the social hierarchy. Gatsby, lacking the hubris prevalent in his society, struggles for acceptance within the elite circles. The emptiness following his death starkly contrasts with the lavish parties he once hosted, underscoring the superficiality of those who partook in his hospitality without genuine emotional connections. Despite his allure, Gatsby dies alone, having sacrificed genuine relationships in his pursuit of wealth. The sparse attendance at his funeral, with Nick bearing the responsibility despite knowing Gatsby for only three