Theme Of Myrtle's Ambition In The Great Gatsby

In the novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald portrays many themes; however, the most significant one revealed throughout the novel is the American Dream is not achievable through accepted, conventional methods, but by sacrificing moral integrity and values. To embody the American Dream one must have money, power, love and a happy family. Myrtle, Daisy and Gatsby's obsession with the American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby, have all been corrupted and destroyed by trying to lead in this dream, therefore, causing them to lead themselves to their own failures.

Myrtle’s obsessive desire for an upper-class lifestyle leads to her failure, death, and loss of true happiness. Myrtle’s obsession causes her to commit adultery in her marriage

Daisy marries Tom Buchanan, a wealthy man, as believes that money makes everything better. Her beliefs about wealth shows her obsession with financial stability. In the near beginning of the novel, Daisy finds out a secret that Tom is hiding from her. Jordan says, “’She might have the decency not to telephone him at dinner time. Don’t you think?’” (Fitzgerald, 20). Tom got a call from some women at dinner time, and Jordan claims it to be Tom’s mistress, therefore, suggesting that Tom is committing adultery. You learn throughout the novel that Tom and Daisy relationship is not the most ideal, happy relationship. Tom seems to be abusive towards Daisy as he bruised her finger, “’You did it, Tom,’” she said accusingly. “’I know you didn't mean to, but you did do it. That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man’” (72), and he does not seem to care much about her. Daisy confused love with wealth, “’She wanted her life shaped now, immediately – and the decision must be made by some force – of love, of money, of unquestionable practicality’” (151), therefore, Tom easily bought her love with “’a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars’” (76). Daisy’s incontrollable passion for wealth overtakes her identity causing conflictions within her life. Daisy thought she had everything desired in the American

She’s consistently on his mind and he focuses on every aspect of her life that she desired to win her over again just like in the past. Gatsby longed for Daisy for many years that it consumed everything about his lifestyle. He feels that he must live up to the American Dream to achieve his dream of rekindling his relationship with Daisy. Gatsby says, “’Can't repeat the past?’” he cried incredulously. “’Why of course you can!’” (Fitzgerald, 111), he wanted to reverse time and be back five years ago, to when Daisy was not married and they were together, however, this time around he would be wealthy. Gatsby becomes blinded by his delusional love for Daisy that it leads to an obsession. This is very evident from the fact that even though Gatsby had not talked to or seen Daisy in five years, he still bought a house directly across the bay from hers so that he could be near her. Jordan proves this when she said, “’Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay’” (79). Gatsby’s obsession is also illustrated by the fact that he hopes that Daisy will just randomly show up to one of his parties like many other people do (81). Daisy was born into the upper-class lifestyle, “’She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart, she never loved anyone except me!’”