Great Gatsby

TRAGIC LOVE STORY

In Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby is a tragic character rather than a pathetic one. After losing the love of his life, Gatsby desperately wants to rekindle their relationship. Gatsby strives to impress Daisy, and by doing so he acquires wealth. He orders his life around this one desire: Daisy. This novel portrays material values and focuses much on outer beauty pressuring its characters to be portrayed as shallow individuals. Due to social influences and social standards Gatsby feels compelled to chase the American dream, and soon after he finally achieves it, he is murdered.

Gatsby’s love for daisy was insufficient, because of society’s class standards. As a result of Gatsby’s financial instability, and lack of social status, he feels unworthy of Daisy’s affection. Upon returning from the war Gatsby recognizes that he has lost Daisy. He spends the rest of his days in a desperate effort to attain the wealth he needs in order to win her love. However wealth is incapable of satisfying Gatsby’s desires.

Gatsby’s Determination to be with the women he longs for is clearly portrayed as tragic. His desire for Daisy, and the ensuing fasade of his life, is based on the American values of wealth and class which define Gatsby’s life decisions. Firstly, he moves directly across the bay, so that he "seemed very near to her, almost touching her." (p.98). Secondly, he throws numerous parties hoping she will attend at least one. Lastly, he asks Nick to be his liaison and invite Daisy to his house, in order that they can reunite.

After Gatsby’s strenuous fight for happiness, his life ends before he is able to enjoy it further underscoring the tragedy of the work. Gatsby cared so much for Daisy that he was willing to risk his life for her by saying, "I [he] was driving" (p.151) and tragically he is forced to do exactly that.

Towards the end of the novel, Gatsby is illustrated as a happy man in love, a picture never before depicted. Unfortunately, however, he is murdered and deprived of everything he worked so hard to achieve. Nick tried to make Gatsby's funeral a respectable affair. But nobody came; only Nick, the minister, and Mr. Gatz (Gatsby's father from Minnesota)