What Does Capacity For Wonder Mean In The Great Gatsby

Mankind's “capacity for wonder” is one of the greatest gifts that we have the fortune of receiving as individuals, and the American Dream as a whole propels this notion to a greater extent. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby uses the concept of the “capacity for wonder” as a means to both showcase this American exceptionalism as well as how ultimately the system in which most Americans find themselves is “a huge incoherent failure.” The Great Gatsby serves to highlight the many ideals of the American Dream and how one can make a name for themselves out of nothing, but the reality of this Dream is that it serves as a facade that can very easily come crumbling down. It is when one pulls back this curtain to observe the true nature of one’s

These primal aesthetics really tapped into my own “capacity for wonder” and caused me to reflect on my own place in the world. It helped put my own life into perspective and provided a sense of clarity for me to imagine and dream about things to come. The American Dream works to tap into this “capacity for wonder” and promote America as this land where dreams come true, and you can do anything you put your mind to. The Great Gatsby’s overall framework can be seen as a praise of this notion through Jay Gatsby and his rise, but it was this “capacity for wonder” which was his ultimate undoing. One of the first instances in which you can see this notion is in Daisy’s voice. Her enchanting voice works to “commensurate [one’s] capacity for wonder,” and it is this eluding charm of her voice that really draws in not only Nick and Gatsby, but the reader as well. Daisy’s voice carries mystery around it, and it is this alluring quality that really makes her elusive nature even more dangerous. Her intrigue brought about Gatsby’s downfall as he had completely fallen for her. This attraction pulls him to reach greatness in his life, but it is also his complete

James Gatz, a poor midwesterner from nothing, was able to turn himself into a rich socialite known for his lavish parties; this is one of the most authentic forms in which we can see realization of the American Dream. This rags to riches story serves as a great form of inspiration and really taps into the notion of the “capacity for wonder” as America is the land of opportunity, and you can become anyone you want to be. On this surface level reading of Jay Gatsby, he has truly succeeded in these regards, but it is the means by which he was able to achieve these ends that shows the failure in this system. In order to reach his place in high society, Gatsby had to cheat and swindle with criminals. These illegal doings only serve to undermine the value of one’s imagination, and it discourages many from using their curiosity and imagination to try and make a place for themselves in the world. Jay Gatsby’s death came as a result of his own greed and aspirations; if he had not pined for something he could not have, he would have been lucky to have found himself in the position he was in, but he always wanted