Hope in the Great Gatsby

Discuss ways in which Fitzgerald presents the themes of hopelessness and unfulfilled desires in The Great Gatsby.

In your answer you should make connections and comparisons with the following passage, from Of Mice and Men

“Who’s George?” she asked. “The little guy you come with?”  Lennie smiled happily.         “That’s him,” he said. “That’s the guy, an’ he’s gonna let me tend the rabbits.”                 “Well, if that’s all you want, I might get a couple rabbits myself.”                                       Crooks stood up from his bunk and faced her. “I had enough,” he said coldly. “You got no rights comin’ in a colored man’s room. You got no rights messing around in here at all. Now you jus’ get out, an’ get out quick. If you don’t, I’m gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more.”                                                                                                                She turned to him in scorn. “Listen, Nigger,” she said. “You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?”                                                                                                                                     Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself. She closed on him. “You know what I could do?” Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. “Yes, ma’am.”                                                                         “Well, you keep your place then, Nigger. I could get you strung upon a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.”                                                                                                                                        Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego— nothing to arouse either like or dislike. He said, “Yes, ma’am,” and his voice was toneless.