Examples Of Futility In The Great Gatsby

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F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Gatsby as a great example of highlighting the futility in striving for the American Dream. Gatsby reinvented himself, taking on a whole new identity to conceal his old self as James Gatz, the poor farmer's son "James Gatz"— that was really, or at least legally, his name. He had changed it at the age of seventeen..." (Fitzgerald 87). Representing the belief that the American Dream promises status and the chance to reinvent itself, but at the expense of authenticity. Not only that but Gatsby's obsession with recapturing the past, mainly with Daisy, reflects the obsession with the American Dream and the inability Gatsby has on letting go of the past, "He talked a lot about the past and I gathered that he wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that has gone into loving Daisy" (Fitzgerald 99). …show more content…

His unwavering quest for wealth and status, driven by his desire to win his former lover Daisy, illustrates the deception Gatsby portray in the novel. Gatsby yearns for acceptance and a sense of belonging regardless of his luxurious lifestyle, lavish parties, Fitzgerald highlights the disappointment that the American Dream may result in. Gatsby failed to accomplish the American Dream due to his greedy ambition for pursuing Daisy. He puts a lot of effort into becoming the guy Daisy wants him to be, but once they rekindle Daisy was already with Tom. Regardless of her being married, Gatsby didn't let that stop him from pursuing her, highlighting how desperately he wanted to be with Daisy, nevertheless not caring about the repercussions. Gatsby got fixated on this idea of Daisy and gaining her, rather than concentrating on his overall objective, he became adamant about getting Daisy back even if that means breaking up her marriage. "Your wife doesn't love you," "said Gatsby. She's never loved you. She loves me. Fitzgerald

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