Great Gatsby Nostalgia Analysis

Two of the most prominent themes in the Great Gatsby are ambition and nostalgia, which are represented throughout the book by the actions and behaviors of the characters. The book uses the two qualities often to gauge the characters on a scale of characters like Tom Buchanan, who are stuck in the past, to Gatsby, who is never satisfied with his current position. To me, the “scale” is also used to a certain degree to determine the quality of a character, at least in Nick’s eyes. Gatsby in particular is unique in that he embodies both ambition and nostalgia, and almost does not fit on the scale. Gatsby never stopped trying to rise higher in social standing until the very end of his life, making him possibly the most ambitious character in the

He dedicated almost all his time and tireless determination to genuinely rising up to Daisy’s level, without having to pretend he was someone else, and as the years passed, his vision of the time spent with Daisy became clouded. To him, it was a perfect, happy time that was his idea of wealth and aristocracy, while in reality he was desperate to get out of poverty and lying to Daisy at the same time. This type of nostalgia that makes time in the past seem great is familiar; for example, I know of several books or movies that I loved as a child and kept a positive idea of until I was exposed to them again much later, when I realized they were mediocre or not great. People recalling the “good old days” is another example. If they were asked during those times, they might not have thought of them as the best time of their lives. Gatsby, however, does not see this and only desires to see Daisy again to relive his “good old days”. In this way, nostalgia is not seen positively in The Great Gatsby. Tom Buchanan, who is practically defined by how great he used to be, is the human representation of nostalgia, and is disliked by most of the characters in the book, including Nick. Meanwhile, ambition is seen in a more positive light, being the ones that Nick likes (Gatsby, Jordan), although it ends badly for the characters who display it. Gatsby’s possession of both qualities coincides with how Nick initially is confused about what to think about Gatsby, but then switches back and forth from liking him and disliking throughout the