In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald , Nick Carraway’s artistic conscience narrates the extravagant existence of the wealthy in the 1920’s. He resides next door to the fabulously rich Jay Gatsby who is a self-made man struggling to enter the social sphere of old wealthy families. Much of Jay Gatsby’s time is spent trying to impress, and become accepted by the rich. Through illegal means he has gained enormous wealth; however, neither wealth nor love can dissolve the physical and moral divide formed by society. The hollow cries of the American Dream extend beyond the lives of East and West Eggers, Myrtle Wilson also desires change. Myrtle, as Tom Buchanan’s mistress, suffers almost any degradation to please him. Both Jay and Myrtle possess
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After a long night of partying, Nick questions Gatsby’s desire for Daisy- “‘You can’t repeat the past’” (110). However, Jay “cried incredulously ‘of course you can’” (110). Gatsby’s idealism is unceasing. He never matures or moves past old conceptions of the world without Daisy remaining morally steadfast to his love. Marred by excess, Gatsby’s behavior highlights his shallow, corrupt materialistic nature and pathetic, transparent efforts to join the high class. Even his sudden attainment of wealth in the “drug store...bootlegger…” business illuminates his corrupt determination to enter high society (133). Along way, James Gatz falsifies himself and is reborn as Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald exploits the American Dream to the extent to which it’s based upon “new money.” It is conceptualized by the ability of the economically disadvantaged moving up the social ladder. However, the reality of this social mobility, is rather gloomy. Gatsby, gained his wealth through illegal means, and will never fully be accepted by the Buchanans who “[don’t] want him” (103). For Gatsby, it is heart wrenching news. Jay convinces himself that Daisy loves him and needs his protection. However, like Myrtle, Gatsby becomes the sacrificial victim of Tom and Daisy’s “careless” actions; “[the Buchanans] smash up things... and then retreat back into their vast carelessness and let others clean up the mess they made” (179). Daisy embodies a delusional desire that infects Jay Gatsby, causing him to brutally die, sacrifice of an illusion, face down in his
After a long night of partying, Nick questions Gatsby’s desire for Daisy- “‘You can’t repeat the past’” (110). However, Jay “cried incredulously ‘of course you can’” (110). Gatsby’s idealism is unceasing. He never matures or moves past old conceptions of the world without Daisy remaining morally steadfast to his love. Marred by excess, Gatsby’s behavior highlights his shallow, corrupt materialistic nature and pathetic, transparent efforts to join the high class. Even his sudden attainment of wealth in the “drug store...bootlegger…” business illuminates his corrupt determination to enter high society (133). Along way, James Gatz falsifies himself and is reborn as Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald exploits the American Dream to the extent to which it’s based upon “new money.” It is conceptualized by the ability of the economically disadvantaged moving up the social ladder. However, the reality of this social mobility, is rather gloomy. Gatsby, gained his wealth through illegal means, and will never fully be accepted by the Buchanans who “[don’t] want him” (103). For Gatsby, it is heart wrenching news. Jay convinces himself that Daisy loves him and needs his protection. However, like Myrtle, Gatsby becomes the sacrificial victim of Tom and Daisy’s “careless” actions; “[the Buchanans] smash up things... and then retreat back into their vast carelessness and let others clean up the mess they made” (179). Daisy embodies a delusional desire that infects Jay Gatsby, causing him to brutally die, sacrifice of an illusion, face down in his