Is Jay Gatsby A Hero

Jay Gatsby is a literary figure who has transcended beyond the pages of the novel. His character has been deeply criticized by critics for nearly a century. In many minds, Gatsby is simply a tormented man who fell short of his ambitions, while others may believe that he is a pitiful and overrated “hero.” Although some critics view Gatsby a delusional man, Gatsby proves to be a remarkable hero who fortifies the illusion of the American dream in order to win the heart of his long time love, Daisy Buchanan.
Like most heroes, Gatsby’s ordinary world begins in an unexceptional setting: North Dakota, where he was born into a destitute family. From a young age, Gatsby aspired to escape his rural lifestyle in exchange for luxury and wealth. He finds …show more content…
However, despite his status as an iconic party host, his entrance into the new world is not entirely smooth sailing, as people constantly create unfitting rumors in response to his mysterious presence at parties, such as that “he killed a man” or that “he was a German spy during the war” (Fitzgerald 44). In addition, neighbors who derive from “old money” mock him for his brandish display of wealth. Despite his fortune, Gatsby struggles with fitting into his new world and fitting into his new society’s norms. As a result, he may have suffered from social isolation, which is “feeling socially disconnected and isolated triggers social pain” (Cacioppo, Social Isolation). Although he threw extravagant parties every week, Gatsby’s guests did not have any knowledge about his personal life. When introducing himself to Nick Carraway, who becomes Gatsby’s only friend, Gatsby states “I thought you knew, old sport. I’m afraid I’m not a very good host” (Fitzgerald 48). Gatsby does not personally connect with his guests, yet claims that his house is always full of interesting people. Because of his lack of communication and social interaction, Gatsby suffers through his new world alone, with the exception of Nick. His actions only further enhances his illusional ideas and romantic woes, which is why he remains infatuated with the idea of …show more content…
One critic disagrees, stating that “Gatsby may have seemed great for getting Daisy back, but the clutch was only fleeting, and it certainly wasn 't for keeps; this ultimately marks his failure to possess her for good and to surface with romantic success” (Gam, A Great American Character Analysis: Is Gatsby Indeed Great?). Though that point of true, it does not indicate whether or not Gatsby was simply “great or not.” His noble attempt to obtain the illusion of the American Dream and Daisy is more than admirable, despite his egotistical motivations. Gatsby also receives his reward through Nick’s legacy. Though Nick “disapproved of him from beginning to end,” he still believed that Gatsby was “worth the whole damn bunch put together,” (Fitzgerald 154) realizing that Gatsby was more than what others perceived of him and that he deserved more than he