It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness. Jay Gatsby, the cryptic main character from F. Scott. Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, is a man who has traveled through many rough roads throughout his life. These troubles that Gatsby had to overcome range from fighting in the war, losing the love of his life, and many shady dealings to obtain finances. Despite Gatsby’s life of controversy, many unanswered questions, and a plethora of luck, Gatsby is considered a man of many successes. Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s neighbor and close friend, considers Gatsby to have achieved greatness. Nick sees a greatness in Gatsby that he has never seen in any other man; unfortunately, all great characters do not always have happy endings. Gatsby’s Several individuals mark Gatsby to be a man of great wealth, with a beautiful estate, and an abundance of friends. To illustrate, parties that are hosted at Gatsby’s house are magnificent, filled with professional entertainment, music and dancers, and guests varying from politicians to movie stars. Fitzgerald paints the picture of the parties at Gatsby’s house in great detail in this passage “The bar is in full swing and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside until the air is alive with chatter and laughter and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other’s names.” (Fitzgerald 44). It can be seen that these were extravagant parties filled with lust and alcohol. The evidence shows that no ordinary man would be throwing parties of this form, only a man with great wealth and resources would pull of such a feat. Furthermore, this was the prohibition era, which meant that alcohol and the consumption of alcohol was illegal. After this brief look into Gatsby’s life, one can understand why he was considered “great”, but to truly understand Gatsby’s greatness, one must look into his As a boy, James Gatz was self-disciplined in his daily life, to help ensure he did everything in his power to achieve great things in his future. Upon meeting Gatsby’s father, Nick Carraway learned that James had ran away from home, inducing a short-lived sadness in Mr. Gatz. Mr. Gatz understood why James had decided to flee his home, consequent to seeing his son’s favorable outcome. Just to solidify what kind of child James Gatz was to Nick, Mr. Gatz showed Nick Carraway a composition, written by James in the back of his copy of a book called Hopalong Cassidy. In the novel Mr. Gatz says “Look here, this is a book he had when he was a boy. It just shows you.” (Fitzgerald 184). The entry that Mr. Gatz was referring to had a strict schedule allotted to each day and a general resolves section that stated the following “No wasting time at Shafters, No more smoking or chewing, Bath every other day, Read one improving book or magazine per week, Save 5 ( Crossed out ) 3 per week, Be better to parents.” (Fitzgerald 185). In spite of Gatsby’s great achievements in his life-time, he was not given anything, as a boy he knew he must be disciplined and work hard to seize his dreams. Gatsby’s parents did not have the ambition that over-whelmed Gatsby, and they did not push him to accomplish his dreams, success was solely accomplished by Gatsby’s will to do whatever it
The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God-- a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that-- and he must be about His Father's business, the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty. So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end (99). James Gatz was already "about his father"s business" when he carefully sketched out a schedule for self-improvement on the back of his "Hopalong Cassidy" book.
Carraway describes the atmosphere as “spilled with prodigality” (Fitzgerald 44). Gatsby’s fills his parties with wasteful extravagances like alcohol, and his efforts toward love end up as futile. The people, instead of appreciating Gatsby, backhandedly gossip about his past as a German spy, and simply partake in the alcohol being served (Fitzgerald 48). Instead of representing the upper echelon’s of 1920s’ society, in contrast to the poor, the party-goers appear weak, superficial, and unworthy of such acclaim, especially when given their tendency to gossip. With this depiction of the partiers, Fitzgerald showcases the hollow nature of 1920s society, lacking in morality and
When reflecting on his memories of the man he knew as Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway recalls the unique individual’s finest quality: “It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again” (Fitzgerald 2). Although Gatsby occasionally stepped off the straight and narrow, he never lost sight of his ultimate goal: Daisy’s love. Even when it seemed as though everything was working against him and that he would never regain his lost love, Gatsby kept going, knowing that the strength of his hope would see him through. His childlike determination, while ultimately his downfall, was what made Gatsby truly “great.”
Fitzgerald uses specific words and images to initially portray the party scene as alluring and glamorous but ultimately destructive. As the festivities begin, Fitzgerald describes the air as, “alive with chatter and laughter.” (pg 40) Upon initial arrival at the party scene, everyone and everything seems joyous. The welcoming decorations coincided with the atmosphere of the party. In addition to the glamorous decorations, there was also an abundance of food and alcohol. The bar itself was, “stocked with gins and liquors and with cordials so long forgotten.” (pg 40) The excess of alcohol, which was illegal at the time, made the party that much more tempting to the guests who attended. While many people enjoyed the glamorous party, no one stuck around to clean up the damages. Gatsby had servants who, “toiled all day…repairing the ravages of the night before.” (pg 39) Behind the extravagant party, there were servants who did not enjoy the fun but had to work extremely hard cleaning up after everyone who did. The servants did not receive equal treatment as the guests since they were only there to make sure the guests remained happy. As the party began to wind down, Nick points out how a drunk driver drove his ca...
It is every writer’s aspiration to write a literary work as deep and profound as F. Scott Fitzgerald has in his masterpiece The Great Gatsby. The novel alludes to an innumerable variety of themes; encompassing all of the symbolism, metaphorical traits, and masterful writing that an English teacher’s favorite should have. In a novel of this caliber it is expected that there are many deep and well-developed characters. This book has them in spades. From all of the wide variety of characters portrayed in this novel, Jay Gatsby is clearly the most vital and interesting; the course of events in The Great Gatsby are clearly centered around him.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was an unknown author who only received great acclaim for his book The Great Gatsby after his passing. He was always a keen believer that the pursuit of a dream was much more rewarding than the achievement. In this novel, Nick Carraway recounts the tale of James Gatz’s a poor farmer’s son’s transition to Jay Gatsby an affluent grandiose man. Gatz unlike the other central characters is new money. He overcame the conditions that he was born into. His parents were mere farmers but he has been able to reinvent himself both figuratively and literally. His achievements cannot be dismissed because of such factors as luck or wealth. The medal of honor Gatsby earns from serving in the war and the mansion he owns on West Egg are a consequence of his enduring persistence. Although Gatsby’s objectification of women is displeasing, this novel is considered a great American novel because it convinces its readers, at least briefly, of Niccolò Machiavelli’s ideal that "the ends justify the means." Gatsby transcendes the wealth gap through dealings with alcohol, gains fame, buys a mansion across from his Daisy’s house all in aggregate to be with Daisy Buchanan once again. His perseverance and his rise to fame and riches from nothing are the keystone of the American Dream.
“The Great Gatsby”, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, portrays a world filled with rich societal happenings, love affairs, and corruption. Nick Carraway is the engaged narrator of the book, a curious choice considering that he is in a different class and almost in a different world than Gatsby and the other characters. Nick relates the plot of the story to the reader as a member of Gatsby’s circle. He has ambivalent feelings towards Gatsby, despising his personality and corrupted dream but feeling drawn to Gatsby’s magnificent capacity to hope. Using Nick as a moral guide, Fitzgerald attempts to guide readers on a journey through the novel to illustrate the corruption and failure of the American Dream. To achieve this, Nick’s credentials as a reliable narrator are carefully established and reinforced throughout the story.
Jay Gatsby’s insignificant upbringing gave him reasons to make himself better and constantly look for ways to improve as a person and contribute to society. When Gatsby’s father arrives at his son’s house, he meets Nick. Mr. Gatz shows Nick a page from an old book of Gatsby’s. On the page was a outline of a young James Gatz’s day, including a list of general resolves and very organized schedule. Some of his resolves included: “no wasting time at Shafters or, no more smoking or chewing, and be better to parents” (173). These resolves indicate that Gatsby was trying to get rid of bad habits and be a better person. Raised by poor and unsuccessful farmers, Gatsby always had a vision that he was destined to be the “Jay Gatsby of West Egg” (98).
“‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together’” (Fitzgerald 644). Nick said this to Gatsby because Nick realizes the greatness of Gatsby. Nick wants to make sure that Gatsby knows it. Not many of the other characters seen Gatsby’s greatness, also Gatsby himself did not see it in himself but Nick knew for sure that it was there. Gatsby is definitely a great person because he did things his own way, and he made something out of nothing.
F. Scott Fitzgerald describes Gatsby’s smile, one that matches his persona perfectly: “It was one of those rare smiles…that you may come across four or five times in life” (Fitzgerald 52). Nick Caraway narrates The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. One summer, Nick moves to the West Egg of Long Island only to discover Jay Gatsby, a controversial character, living a lavish lifestyle full of prosperity. Although Gatsby is a mystery, one thing for certain is that he is completely in love with Daisy Fey, Nick’s cousin. The only thing that lies between Gatsby and Daisy besides the bay of Long Island Sound is Daisy’s deceitful, cheating husband: Tom Buchanan. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby reveals
From the beginning of The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carraway is developed as a reliable narrator. His honesty and sense of duty are established as he remarks on his own objectivity and willingness to withhold judgment. However, as the book progresses and Nick’s relationship with Jay Gatsby grows more intimate, it is revealed that Nick is not as reliable as previously thought when it comes to Gatsby. Nick perceives Gatsby as pure and blameless, although much of Gatsby's persona is false. Because of his friendship and love for Gatsby, his view of the events is fogged and he is unable to look at the situation objectively.
Hugh Hefner once said, “I looked back on the roaring Twenties, with its jazz, 'Great Gatsby' and the pre-Code films as a party I had somehow managed to miss.” The parties of the Roaring Twenties were used to symbolize wealth and power in a society that was focused more on materialism and gossip than the important things in life, like family, security, and friends. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, portrays the characters of Tom and Daisy Buchanan as the epitome of the era. The reader sees these characters acting selfishly and trying to meddle with others’ lives. On the other hand, Nick Carraway, the narrator, acts more to help others and act honestly. Initially the reader sees Carraway’s views towards Jay Gatsby as negative as Gatsby’s actions are perceived as being like the Buchanan’s. As the novel moves forward, the reader notices a change in Carraway’s attitude towards Gatsby. Carraway sees Gatsby for whom he truly is, and that is a loving person who only became rich to win Daisy’s heart. But in this the reader also sees how corrupt and hurtful Gatsby’s actions were to the love of his life. Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy reveals that just as Gatsby’s dream of wooing Daisy is corrupted by illegalities and dishonesty, the “American Dream” of friendship and individualism has disintegrated into the simple pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasure.
Is great Gatsby truly great? It seems so according to Nick Carraway, the narrator in the novel of “The Great Gatsby.” Nick has a moral background that allows him to judge Jay Gatsby accordingly. His descriptions did not only creates sympathy, but also made Gatsby, the outlaw bootlegger, somehow admirable. F. Scott Fitzgerald presented this ethical trick to expose people’s delusions about the American dream, and uses Nick to show sympathy for strivers.
During the 1920’s, everyone is making easy money off the stock market and lives their lives to the fullest potential. The decade, also known as the Jazz Age, brings a lot of glamour into many households; one of which belongs to Jay Gatsby. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby shows his wealth by arranging humongous parties every so often. At these parties most of the people who are in attendance are uninvited, but at the same time are also very rich. Although Gatsby’s parties and the wealth they represent are initially portrayed as alluring and glamorous, in Chapter 3 Fitzgerald subtly undercuts the apparent allure and glamour of both through specific words and images he uses to describe the party scene and the behavior of the partygoers.
“His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people - his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all” (Fitzgerald 98). He knew at an early age that he did not want this type of life and viewed his parents with contempt. Gatsby saw that others who had simple beginnings, were able to embed themselves into the higher strata of society. When Gatsby’s father meets Nick Carraway, he shows Nick a detailed schedule that Gatsby had made for himself as a child, which included his goals such as saving up three dollars every week, foreshadowing Gatsby's desire to become wealthy. After Nick is shown the schedule, Gatsby’s father describes Gatsby's work ethic and determination as a child, “Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something” (Fitzgerald 173). Gatsby chose to write this schedule in the back of Hopalong Cassidy book. This book contained the adventures of a fictional cowboy named Hopalong. The classic western tales found in Hopalong Cassidy books present a strong, independent, successful cowboy who is a self-made man. The book most likely sparked Gatsby’s fascination with being successful, even as a young boy. Gatsby’s schedule that listed his daily requirements and underneath it, a list of general resolves, is similar to Ben Franklin's list of moral perfections where Franklin allotted time for each self-improving event of his day (Miller). Gatsby