Every member of society longs to achieve greatness. This chance to eternalize themselves and reap the fruits of their labor is undoubtedly the pinnacle of human existence. Consequently, greatness becomes the primary goal that humanity collectively searches to achieve. However, what perceived greatness varies with society and its ideals. Often, material conquests such as wealth and fame are idealized as the epitome of being great, but there is one universal facet of greatness. The earnest drive to achieve such a colossal apex of human potential and endeavour that stems from honest ambition is the only quantifiable measure of greatness. In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, is consumed by his quest for greatness. Set
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While Gatsby has acquired vast quantities of wealth, that is not his idea greatness, rather, he longs to secure the love of Daisy Buchanan. In order to achieve his goal, he focuses himself entirely on the pursuit of Daisy, pouring all of his thought, action, and resource into this endeavour. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (Fitzgerald, 83). This commitment, though bordering on obsession, constructs the foundation of Gatsby’s greatness. While Gatsby never achieves his dream, this consuming determination exemplifies the intrinsic beauty of his character and his persistent nature. As a stark contrast to his rugged conviction, Gatsby also embodies a youth-like innocence in his dream. Gatsby naively believes that he can restore his relationship with Daisy to what it was in the past. “Can’t repeat the past? he cried incredulously. Why of course you can!” (Fitzgerald, 116). While this mentality may not be true, it is endearing to see such a refreshingly candid ideology in regards to ambition. Additionally, this sincere naivety is, in some facet, a vehicle for his greatness. His dream is not indecent, it is simply a quest for lost love, which furthers his devotion to it. While much of society is engaged in chasing wealth, Gatsby is blind to …show more content…
The “Great Gatsby” is made so by his monolithic aspirations and his unparalleled capacity to commit himself to his achievement. These characteristics are glorified in America’s perception of a greatness. Gatsby embodies this idealized image, allowing Fitzgerald to paint a stark representation of the traditional American Dream. Fitzgerald asserts that the most redeeming facet of both Gatsby and the American Dream is an unrivaled sense of optimism. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes us.” (Fitzgerald, 189). This unconditional belief in the future is the manifestation of greatness in Gatsby and the Dream. However, when optimism is obscured by entitlement it loses any semblance of its former grandeur. Fitzgerald asserts that this degradation of greatness results from the material nature of such ambition. Furthermore, when complacency and idleness set in, the Dream falters and greatness is lost. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had
While Gatsby has acquired vast quantities of wealth, that is not his idea greatness, rather, he longs to secure the love of Daisy Buchanan. In order to achieve his goal, he focuses himself entirely on the pursuit of Daisy, pouring all of his thought, action, and resource into this endeavour. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (Fitzgerald, 83). This commitment, though bordering on obsession, constructs the foundation of Gatsby’s greatness. While Gatsby never achieves his dream, this consuming determination exemplifies the intrinsic beauty of his character and his persistent nature. As a stark contrast to his rugged conviction, Gatsby also embodies a youth-like innocence in his dream. Gatsby naively believes that he can restore his relationship with Daisy to what it was in the past. “Can’t repeat the past? he cried incredulously. Why of course you can!” (Fitzgerald, 116). While this mentality may not be true, it is endearing to see such a refreshingly candid ideology in regards to ambition. Additionally, this sincere naivety is, in some facet, a vehicle for his greatness. His dream is not indecent, it is simply a quest for lost love, which furthers his devotion to it. While much of society is engaged in chasing wealth, Gatsby is blind to …show more content…
The “Great Gatsby” is made so by his monolithic aspirations and his unparalleled capacity to commit himself to his achievement. These characteristics are glorified in America’s perception of a greatness. Gatsby embodies this idealized image, allowing Fitzgerald to paint a stark representation of the traditional American Dream. Fitzgerald asserts that the most redeeming facet of both Gatsby and the American Dream is an unrivaled sense of optimism. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes us.” (Fitzgerald, 189). This unconditional belief in the future is the manifestation of greatness in Gatsby and the Dream. However, when optimism is obscured by entitlement it loses any semblance of its former grandeur. Fitzgerald asserts that this degradation of greatness results from the material nature of such ambition. Furthermore, when complacency and idleness set in, the Dream falters and greatness is lost. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had