Use of Heroism in Epic Poems found in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The development of a hero always follows the same type of pattern and structure in epic poems. This characterization of heroes as valiant figures and has progressed through time to create a solid reference point on what a true hero should be. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald is able to utilize these key components to mock Gatsby’s heroism. This creates an ironic image of Gatsby because his seemingly grandiose actions are incomparable to the acts of true valiant heroes. F. Scott Fitzgerald draws on the conventions of epic poems in order to satirize Gatsby’s characterization in the novel.

Like epic poets, Fitzgerald recounts the deeds of his hero objectively. In epic poetry the muse, impartially, tells a story of a hero so others can know of his greatness. In The Great Gatsby, Nick is acting as our muse. He says, “[He’s] inclined to reserve all judgments”, so as to give himself authority as the author (1). Making Nick an impartial narrator is supposed to legitimize Gatsby’s actions. The only problem is that as the novel progresses, it is clear that Nick is by no means impartial. Because Nick favors Gatsby, the accounts of Gatsby’s acts are always told in a positive light, making him sound better than he truly is. This description of Gatsby, juxtaposed with the lesser characterization the reader infers through what Nick says, further stresses just how unimpressive Gatsby really is.

In recounting the deeds of this hero, Fitzgerald mocks the characteristic catalogues of epic poetry, which typically serve to aggrandize the hero through elaborate descriptions of warriors, ships, and battles. When Nick recounts all of the people he has met at Gatsby’s parties, he lists them as if they were warriors, coming home from battle. “From West E...

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...Gatsby’s significance by directly comparing him to heroes from epic poems. Gatsby was supposed to be this grandiose figure that represented America, and the American dream, but this ironic comparison proves that he had not actually accomplished anything noteworthy. The rags to riches dream that many Americans possessed during the 1920’s was just as shallow and unimpressive as Gatsby was. People were striving to move up in social class, but as we see with Gatsby, this is not a heroic feat. Fitzgerald is showing that giving up values and morals, and moving up the social ladder through questionable tactics, is what the American dream has become. Gone are the days when people worked hard and earned the glory they deserved, now they use the misfortunes of others to promote themselves.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004.