Why Is Jay Gatsby Great

The definition of what determines if a person is great is typically reliant on their failure or success. However, In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby has many victories as well as losses. The novel takes place during the 1920s, in New York City where Gatsby has just returned in search of Daisy, his past love interest. Gatsby navigates the city and people as well as the corruption that follows them. Gatsby, with newly profound wealth and purpose to achieve what he sets his mind to, takes on New York for a summer that he never forgets full of happiness, yet also mistakes. Despite his sometimes-questionable motives and actions, Jay Gatsby is indeed great through his accomplishments and exemplary character. Due to his extraordinary

At a low point in his life, Gatsby enlists in the military during World War One, not knowing if he was going to survive or what would be waiting for him if he lived. Despite believing that the war was a chance for him to escape his problems, he ends up becoming a war veteran and reaches the dramatic feat of attaining the rank of Major. This is an extremely impressive, pivotal moment in his life and is something that Gatsby reminisces with Nick, his neighbor, as he mentions: “it was a great relief, and [he] tried very hard to die, but [he] seemed to bear an enchanted life” (Fitzgerald 66). Gatsby, while he may not seem like it, grew up penniless. After coming back from the war and receiving another shot at having the life he desires, Gatsby finds success. He is able to rebrand himself and earn the wealth he desires by becoming a self-made millionaire. Gatsby, while he makes some bad decisions along the way, such as bootlegging, is able to turn his life around. His ability to go from having nothing at all to becoming someone who has endless amounts of money is an extraordinary accomplishment. Nevertheless,

Despite not seeing Daisy for over five years, he never forgets about her, but instead counts down the days to see her again. In this time he reinvents himself, while still holding onto the hope that he and Daisy will be together at the end of it all. Gatsby becomes known for throwing his parties due to his newly profound wealth, but his purpose behind them all is so Daisy will show up. This hope never leaves Gatsby, but instead possesses him with a trait that is admirable. Everything he does is filled with hope and a positive spirit that he will achieve his goal of rekindling his love with Daisy as “he half expected her to wander into one of his parties” (Fitzgerald 79). Gatsby’s hopeful outlook was solely driven by his never-ending love for Daisy. Gatsby admits his faults in life, admitting he is not perfect, but one thing that will never change about him is the love he holds; he is irrevocably in love with every aspect of her. Despite the challenge of him being absent for five years, and Daisy being married, he does not let these obstacles interfere with his passion. Gatsby devotes his mind, body, and soul to Daisy, a trait that is considered honorable and sought after in any relationship, ultimately adding to his admirable character. His loyal character is reflected in how he looks at her “the way all women want to be looked at by a man” (