Theme Of Pleasure In The Great Gatsby

In society, the line between happiness and pleasure has been blurred for ages. It can be difficult for one to determine the difference between true happiness and pleasure. Although pleasure is a key component in determining one’s happiness, pleasure provides one with short-term satisfaction, which almost always seems to fade, leaving emptiness within. Happiness, on the other hand, provides one with long-lasting satisfaction that seems to endure through the good as well as the bad. In effect, pleasure’s deception can lead one astray from the achievement of true happiness. F. Scott Fitzgerald realized this concept, which he emphasized it in his novel, The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby is set during the 1920s after the ending of World War I. Many people are suffering and desperately searching for happiness. As stated in The Neuroscience of Happiness and Pleasure, pleasure is a key factor to happiness and is important to one’s perception of wellbeing. This is clearly demonstrated in the novel, as nearly all of the characters are

Daisy grew up rich and always desired the finer things in life. After her love with Gatsby had blossomed, Gatsby was ordered to war and it seemed as if the couple’s happiness could not be restored until they found themselves together again. Instead of waiting for Gatsby to return, Daisy sought out pleasure with Tom Buchanan in a futile attempt to regain the happiness she felt with Gatsby. She sought the man with money over the man who would bring her true happiness. She believed she was doing the right thing to get married but as soon as she had officially tied the knot, she remarked, “The only crazy I was was when I married him. I knew right away I made a mistake” (Fitzgerald 2). After her marriage with Tom, Daisy became aware that happiness would only be attainable through her relationship with