Jay Gatsby Selfish

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Recommended: Characteristics of the American dream

"The American Dream" is the idea that any person can achieve success through hard work. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, many characters struggle to achieve "The American Dream." Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, is unable to capture his interpretation of the "American Dream" because of his envy of Tom Buchanan and Gatsby's personal background. Tom Buchanan, Gatsby's personal rival, crushes all of Gatsby's hopes and dreams of happiness. Tom is married to Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby's one true love. All Gatsby desires is winning back Daisy's heart. Tom and Daisy inherited most of their wealth and live in East Egg. On the other hand, the narrator, Nick Carraway, describes Gatsby as living in West Egg which is "the – well, the less …show more content…

He is ashamed he did not grow up in the upper class society like Tom and Daisy. Jay Gatsby has not always been Jay Gatsby. In fact, he changed his name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby. Nick states, "James Gatz - that was really, or at least legally, his name" (Fitzgerald 98). Jay Gatsby tries to start a new life and claims to others a fake past. Also, Gatsby asserts that he was an Oxford man. He falsely boasts to Nick, " I am the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West – all dead now" (Fitzgerald 65). The readers learn this is a false statement when Gatsby's father arrives to town. Gatsby claims, "I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford, because all my ancestors have been educated there for many years. It is a family tradition" (Fitzgerald 65). Gatsby is implying he comes from a British and aristocratic family. Yet, his family lived a modest lifestyle growing up. In reality, Gatsby only partially went to Oxford. Within months, he had to leave school to serve in the war. "The American Dream" is fulfilled through hard work. Gatsby was a bootlegger selling illegal liquor during the prohibition. Nick believes Gatsby is a poser and is trying to be someone he is not. In addition, when Gatsby sees the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, he believes it is a sign to go for his dreams regardless of the past. Gatsby's refusal to accept his past mistakes results in his overall failure.

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