Jay Gatsby’s quest for the “green light” reveals that Gatsby is as “Great” as Nick described him. This is evident through analysis of the American Dream, Gatsby’s strong will, and his need to protect Daisy at all means necessary.
In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald emphasizes the importance of the green light that is seen directly across from Gatsby’s home. This green light is a literal beacon to alert boaters that there's an obstacle to avoid, but for Jay Gatsby the light symbolizes his dream of obtaining everything he wants in life. This includes a future with Daisy and achieving the “American dream.” This dream is unattainable but Gatsby believed in the “green light.” The green light gave him purpose.
Gatsby is in love with Daisy, but more so the idea of Daisy. Being able to live a fulfilling life full of wealth and happiness. Gatsby desired to live the “American Dream” with Daisy. Gatsby decided to dedicate his life to achieving the American Dream of ludicrous wealth. He made it big in the underbelly of New York during Prohibition, and moved into a new money mansion as close to Daisy as possible with the goal of winning her back at all costs. In addition, this novel took place in the 1920s. A time where Americans were searching for all kinds of unattainable dreams. For Americans at the time, it felt as if there was no unattainable dream. People were living in the moment and their futures seemed irrelevant. People seemed more concerned in having fun, making money, and living a carefree lifestyle rather than planning for the future. Gatsby believed in this and would do anything to obtain this with Daisy. However, the American Dream is the constant desire for something more, something better. That is why it is impossible to fully achieve it. This is evident when Daisy proclaims his love for Gatsby, but he demands her to go even further to say that she never loved Tom. Further, Gatsby did not care, he had a dream and would stop at nothing to succeed. Gatsby was born poor and still became one of the most rich and famous individuals in New York City so he knew that he deserved to have the American Dream but the universe said otherwise. Also, the novel becomes the acting out of the tragedy of the American vision. The reader gets a sense that Gatsby will fail, but has to sit through and watch him destroy himself in the process. Sadly, the “American Dream” that Gatsby wanted so desperately was the same dream that got him killed. Furthermore, Gatsby becomes the embodiment of the conflict between illusion and reality at the heart of American Life. He is the heroic personification of the American Romantic Hero. Gatsby is as “great” as Nick describes because he desperately fought hard for what he believed in, but in the end was punished for it.
Jay Gatsby was born an ordinary man with ordinary everyday issues such as financial issues, family issues, and relationship issues. However, the ordinary person would acknowledge these issues and move on ignoring them or thinking they cannot be resolved. Gatsby is the complete opposite. He acknowledges these issues and views them as obstacles he must pass to reach his ultimate end goal. By saying that he must pass these obstacles is an understatement. Gatsby is longing for his dream and has been manifesting it ever since he laid eyes on it. Gatsby is truly “great” due to his strong will. He raised himself from an ordinary Western man, to one of the richest and most famous individuals in New York City. Not only that but he is a mystery to everyone as people would gossip about him with no concrete information. In the novel it hints that some people are afraid of him because they do not fully understand him. People are afraid of things they do not understand. It takes a very special man to attract so much interest from not only the people, but the old money families too. Correspondingly, even with the complicated and ongoing conflict between old money and new money, Gatsby still tried his best to persevere. It is very clear that the wealth that Tom and Daisy have is superior to the wealth that Jay Gatsby has. It is not that they are wealthier than Gatsby, it is just how they acquired their money. In a way, Tom is wealthier than Gatsby because of the generational wealth flowing through his family name. Tom never had to worry about money as Gatsby did. Given all this, Gatsby did not let this stop him from pursuing his dream. He came too far to stop now and he felt as though the “green light” was within reach, but he just couldn't grasp it. It takes a strong willed man to do this. Gatsby was “great” because of his persistence. Despite feeling that the whole universe was against him, he had to try and try again. In addition, Gatsby’s admirable characteristics such as his positive view of himself and his optimism is unrivaled. This allows him to shoot for the moon and dream big from a young age. Near the end of the novel Gatsby’s father reveals to the reader one of Gatsby’s childhood books. In this book there is his schedule that he created for himself that the ordinary person would not create as a kid. The schedule consisted of utilizing every minute of the day to accomplish a new task to keep him on track towards being successful. This schedule is foreshadowing his future as the positive changes made today help shape a better future. Gatsby was “great” for improving his mind and body everyday at a young age even before he saw the “green light.” Therefore, Gatsby is no ordinary man as he has proven on many occasions that despite various obstacles he is willing to be persistent and persevere.
Ever since Gatsby laid eyes on Daisy he created this magnificent dream in his head that he would stop at nothing to achieve and protect that dream. Gatsby dedicated his whole life to achieving his dream life with Daisy. Only a great man would do this. Gatsby is obsessed to finish his quest for the “green light” that all of his actions are a means to an end. To emphasize, it is crucial to understand that every single action and thought had an underlying purpose to take Gatsby one step closer toward Daisy. He has been manifesting his dream for the past 5 years ceaselessly and has been keeping track of every passing day. Gatsby priorities Daisy over himself and he sees the world through her eyes. When Gatsby invites Daisy and Nick for a house tour it is clear that every detail is meant to impress Daisy. Although some might suggest that this is a quality associated with “psychopaths,” it actually further proves that Gatsby is one-off as he once again puts Daisy’s needs before his. Further, to achieve his dream he realized that at times he must also protect them. This is evident when Gatsby tells Nick that he will take the blame for a murder he did not commit. When Daisy is driving back home with Gatsby she strikes Myrtle but Gatsby is willing to sacrifice himself and take the blame for it. It is crucial to understand that this is a huge burden to carry but Gatsby's willing to protect his dream at all costs. There is no price Gatsby would not pay. His need to protect Daisy makes him “great” as he is willing to sacrifice himself. Gatsby pays the consequences, which result in his pathetic death. His every action to protect Daisy proves why Nick is correct in describing Gatsby as “great.” To further protect Daisy, Gatsby goes to her house after the accident and stands watch outside in order to protect her from Tom knowing that his car will soon be identified. With that in mind, moments before the accident the reader discovers that Daisy has chosen Tom over Gatsby. She may not love Tom as much as Gatsby, but she cannot bear to live in the low class world of new money. Daisy is not the same girl he fell in love with a long time ago, however that girl still exists in his dream. After everything he's been through from witnessing death to seeing his dream crumble, Gatsby still grabs on to every little amount of hope that the “green light” is just inches away. This proves that Gatsby was still protecting Daisy even when she chose to have a life without him. Gatsby protected his dream at all costs but in the end he couldn't afford it as it cost his life.
Gatsby is a great man but not a perfect man. Through his quest for the “green light” he wanted to repeat the past and shape a better future that would last forever. Gatsby climbed through countless obstacles that the average man would not even attempt. The “green light” was ultimately an unattainable dream that Gatsby spent his life chasing. It was so close yet so far. The further Gatsby got to it the more the light traveled further away. Despite all this Gatsby felt as though he needed to reach the “green light” even if it meant his death. Unfortunately, Gatsby’s dream died with him. This dream was never going to make Gatsby happy but pursuing it gave him purpose and turned him into a great man. Nick Carraway was the only one to recognize how “great” Gatsby was. Nick could not be more correct to title the book The “Great” Gatsby as Nick realizes that Gatsby teaches the reader no matter what class anyone comes from, it is always possible for them to achieve success.
I Beg You to Remember this Paragraph
You must understand that life is fragile and unpredictable. Jay Gatsby understood this, which is why he made every second of every day count. He did not sit around and wait for things to fall into place because he knew that if you want things to change you have to make a change. We assume our longevity is absolute, like we have a right to live to the age of 100 and experience all life's wonder. That cannot be more false. No one owes you anything. Therefore, I encourage you to make a change to create a future you can be proud of. I promise you will thank yourself later. You only have one life so lets make it one to be proud of!
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