Ambition is defined as “a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.” Ambition is a vital component for achieving success. Without ambition, prosperity is remarkably arduous. Ambition drives one to work hard, take risks, and do what is necessary to pursue their dreams. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is set in the time period of the 1920s. The novel accentuates the theme of ambition and the “American Dream.” A prominent character, Jay Gatsby, is a deft and mysterious man who uses his ambition to pursue his dream. Jay Gatsby’s ambitious proficiency deceitfully drives him in his efforts to fulfill the “American Dream”, and, for this dream, he strives to be among the elite and
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To begin, Gatsby, as a teenager, changes his name, which allows him to become someone he isn’t. Nick, the narrator, relates how Gatsby transforms himself, “He had changed it at the age of seventeen and at the specific moment that witnessed the beginning of his career - when he saw Dan Cody’s yacht drop anchor over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior” (98). Because he believed he could become among the elite, Gatsby changes his identity. Around the same time, Gatsby meets a millionaire, Dan Cody, who eventually becomes a living textbook for Gatsby. Gatsby learns what is necessary to become among the elite. Cody takes Gatsby under his wing and makes it possible for Gatsby to pursue his dream. Also, Gatsby abandons his parents in the hopes of escaping the social class of the poor. Nick describes Gatsby’s relationship with his parents, “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people - his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all” (99). Because of the time they were living, Gatsby’s parents were bound to be poor for their entire lives. The social classes of the time period were unlikely to shift. Once a person was poor and among the lower class, they remained there for the rest of their lives. The poor were extremely unlikely to prosper and become of a higher class. Gatsby did not accept this and strives for better. …show more content…
For instance, when Gatsby meets Daisy Buchanan, a rich woman among the elite, he believes that someday he could have her, and they could live happily ever after. Nick explains Gatsby’s knowledge of Daisy, “He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary a ‘nice’ girl could be” (149). Gatsby has the knowledge that Daisy owns an exceptional quality that he wants, and that quality is her social status. Gatsby is determined to be accepted into the elite society. Daisy could have been any rich woman because Gatsby would have pursued any other rich woman. He isn’t aware that Daisy is different. She is already married and has a child, which makes it unreasonable for Gatsby to have her. As he continues to pursue Daisy, Gatsby is oblivious to the fact that his dream is unattainable. Moreover, as Gatsby, Nick, and Daisy listen to Klipspringer, a denizen of Gatsby’s mansion, play the piano, Nick realizes how much Gatsby has become absorbed in Daisy. Nick explains, “They had forgotten me, but Daisy glanced up and held out her hand; Gatsby didn’t know me now at all” (97). Gatsby’s ambition and determination has drawn him to believe he can attain the “American Dream” of wealth and pride. Gatsby has become consumed with the idea of Daisy. His ambitiousness falsely leads him to believe that he
To begin, Gatsby, as a teenager, changes his name, which allows him to become someone he isn’t. Nick, the narrator, relates how Gatsby transforms himself, “He had changed it at the age of seventeen and at the specific moment that witnessed the beginning of his career - when he saw Dan Cody’s yacht drop anchor over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior” (98). Because he believed he could become among the elite, Gatsby changes his identity. Around the same time, Gatsby meets a millionaire, Dan Cody, who eventually becomes a living textbook for Gatsby. Gatsby learns what is necessary to become among the elite. Cody takes Gatsby under his wing and makes it possible for Gatsby to pursue his dream. Also, Gatsby abandons his parents in the hopes of escaping the social class of the poor. Nick describes Gatsby’s relationship with his parents, “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people - his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all” (99). Because of the time they were living, Gatsby’s parents were bound to be poor for their entire lives. The social classes of the time period were unlikely to shift. Once a person was poor and among the lower class, they remained there for the rest of their lives. The poor were extremely unlikely to prosper and become of a higher class. Gatsby did not accept this and strives for better. …show more content…
For instance, when Gatsby meets Daisy Buchanan, a rich woman among the elite, he believes that someday he could have her, and they could live happily ever after. Nick explains Gatsby’s knowledge of Daisy, “He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary a ‘nice’ girl could be” (149). Gatsby has the knowledge that Daisy owns an exceptional quality that he wants, and that quality is her social status. Gatsby is determined to be accepted into the elite society. Daisy could have been any rich woman because Gatsby would have pursued any other rich woman. He isn’t aware that Daisy is different. She is already married and has a child, which makes it unreasonable for Gatsby to have her. As he continues to pursue Daisy, Gatsby is oblivious to the fact that his dream is unattainable. Moreover, as Gatsby, Nick, and Daisy listen to Klipspringer, a denizen of Gatsby’s mansion, play the piano, Nick realizes how much Gatsby has become absorbed in Daisy. Nick explains, “They had forgotten me, but Daisy glanced up and held out her hand; Gatsby didn’t know me now at all” (97). Gatsby’s ambition and determination has drawn him to believe he can attain the “American Dream” of wealth and pride. Gatsby has become consumed with the idea of Daisy. His ambitiousness falsely leads him to believe that he