“He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life” In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays a man, by the name of James Gatsby, with a constant picture of hope exhibited on his face. Nick Carroway instantly recognizes that he is distinguished and exudes a rare, but prominent, air of “eternal reassurance.” Nick is transfixed by the “old sport” creating a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn of Gatsby’s affairs. Gatsby is haunted by a time when he and Daisy Buchanan loved each other and dreamed of a future together. He is entirely driven by the need to rekindle his love for Daisy, and Nick soon learns that this is Gatsby’s sole purpose in life. Gatsby, …show more content…
Everyone sees the wealthy front Gatsby puts up, but no one truly knows who or what he is. In the instant that Nick meets Gatsby, he recognizes that something is different about him, he is meticulous and his actions are carefully calculated. Nick soon learns that he was invited to Gatsby’s party because he has a connection to Daisy. For five years, Gatsby has been hosting parties hoping that one day, Daisy would wonder in and they would be reacquainted. Because of Gatsby's request, Nick invites Daisy over to his house so Gatsby can see her. After some time, Gatsby and Daisy act as if they have never been apart, even after five years. Nick states, “There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams – not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (ch 5). Nick recognizes that Gatsby's hopes are sky high and there is no way Daisy can live up to them. Nick also acknowledges that Gatsby “ had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way.” There was no way of stopping or crushing his dreams, everything that he had done in the past five years was for the sole purpose of finding and pleasing Daisy. The spark between Daisy and Gatsby soon turns into a flame and Gatsby finds himself where he has always dreamed of
“ Its attitude is one of disillusionment and detachment; Fitzgerald is still able to evoke the glitter of the 1920s but he is no longer dazzled by it; he sees its underlying emptiness and impoverishment” (Trendell 23)The story is narrated from the point of view of Nick, one of Gatsby’s friends. The problematic and hopeless romantic, Gatsby, sets out to fulfill his dream in acquiring Daisy, his lifelong love, through his many tactics and ideas. Gatsby is introduced extending his arms mysteriously toward a green light in the direction of the water. Later, Gatsby is shown to be the host of many parties for the rich and Nick is invited to one of these parties where Gatsby and Nick meet. When Gatsby later confesses his love for Daisy he explains she was a loved one who was separated from him and hopes to get her again explained when he says, “I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”(Fitzgerald 56). There are several obstacles that Gatsby must overcome and the biggest one that is Daisy’s current fiancé but that still does not get in the way of him trying to recover Daisy’s old feelings. His attempts are made through money and wealth because he tries to buy her love back instead of letting it happen naturally.
Gatsby’s quest to acquire Daisy was enlarged by his colossal obsession with the idea of being reunited with her, until the time actually came in which something so simple as a tea date was all he asked for in order to meet her. The purpose of acquiring such wealth and an extravagant home seems so pointless when Gatsby decides to meet with Daisy in Nick’s underwhelming cabin. The extravagancy of his vision deeply contrasts the modesty of the acquisition of his goal in this case. This shows a different side of Gatsby and his visions on what he thought would happen when he reached his goal and what actually occurred. Gatsby starts to panic when his visions do not occur when Nick and Gatsby are sat in Nick’s home, waiting for Daisy, Gatsby argues “Nobody’s coming to tea. It’s too late...I can’t wait all day” Fitzgerald 85). Gatsby is clearly very antsy and nervous about seeing Daisy again. He was very deeply in love with her and after 5 long years of waiting to see her again and they are finally reunited. All of his plans will be put into action and all of this planning will make him terribly self conscious
After they get reacquainted, Gatsby, Nick, and Daisy all go over to Gatsby’s house; he wants to show it off. Daisy is impressed with what she sees, and this pleases Gatsby. Nick feels uncomfortable there, and offers to let them be alone to catch up, but they insist that he stay.
All humans desire a satisfactory last conversation with a dying friend or family member. Those who know their family and friends may die soon try their best to have a meaningful final encounter with the loved one. However, death is not always foreseeable. Many times, family and friends never get to say goodbye. When sudden deaths or lethal accidents occur, companions hope that the person died with a good impression of them. In “The Great Gatsby,” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the narrator, Nick Carraway, feels satisfied with his farewell to his friend Jay Gatsby. The novel contains only 180 pages, yet contains hidden meanings and symbolism. One must read the story closely to fully comprehend the message of the novel. When analyzed, it becomes clear that Nick’s last goodbye with Gatsby meant a lot to both of them. In Nick and Gatsby’s last scene, he compliments Gatsby. He feels glad that he said this to Gatsby in this scene, because this “was the only compliment he ever gave” Gatsby. This scene reveals Nick’s disapproval of the Buchanans, Gatsby, and the culture of New York in the 1920s. Throughout this scene, Fitzgerald effectively criticizes the culture of the 1920s through Nick’s opinion of his friends.
The Great Gatsby: The Question of Nick Carraway's Integrity. In pursuing relationships, we come to know people step by step. Unfortunately, as our knowledge of others deepens, we often move from enchantment to disenchantment. Initially we overlook flaws or wish them away; only later do we realize the peril of this course.
Unfortunately for him,Gatsby cannot seem to accept the fact that the past is over and gone. He is determined to capture his dream and is positive that he can do this because also thinks that he was acting for a greater good beyond his own personal gain and that should definitely grant him success. Nick Carraway tries to show Gatsby the futility in trying to fulfill his dream by assuring Gatsby that no one can relive the past no matter how hard the try,but Gatsby is sure that he can and replies”Yes you can,old sport(155).”This proves the confidence he has in his American Dream. His dream,although it may seem that way,is not material possesions, Daisy. Gatsby refuses to give up until he reaches the fulfillment of his American Dream.
Based on the consequences of the past, Gatsby’s priority is to earn a place in high ranks in order to win Daisy. Remaining faithful through the years he endures apart from her, Gatsby builds a reputation of being affluent, for her. He expresses his loyalty towards Daisy through the wealth he establishes, for her. In the hopes that she will return to him after seeing his newly gained assets, Gatsby flaunts his mansion and possessions to Daisy. Everything he earns plays an important role in displaying his wealth to Daisy, as well as his dedication to her. Gatsby devotes several years to earning a fortune for Daisy, never deviating from his original motive of living the past, except with Daisy. However, Gatsby becomes “dazed” because her physical existence erases the importance of his belongings. Even though Gatsby’s valuables once signified the path to Daisy, because Daisy is now with him, the items mean nothing. Gatsby proves consistency in his love for Daisy as she is the motivating force that occupies his life. Gatsby’s persistent hope gives him the belief that he can and will live his happy ending with Daisy. When Gatsby’s imagination of Daisy does not align with the existing Daisy, he tells Nick, “Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!” (110).
When reflecting on his memories of the man he knew as Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway recalls the unique individual’s finest quality: “It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again” (Fitzgerald 2). Although Gatsby occasionally stepped off the straight and narrow, he never lost sight of his ultimate goal: Daisy’s love. Even when it seemed as though everything was working against him and that he would never regain his lost love, Gatsby kept going, knowing that the strength of his hope would see him through. His childlike determination, while ultimately his downfall, was what made Gatsby truly “great.”
Nick’s naïveté and innocence leads to continual judgement of the deceiving upper class community he surrounds himself with; however, he realises Gatsby is the most genuine and optimistic man he has ever met. Gatsby’s never ending confidence in his dream of a future with Daisy represents blind faith of an unattainable dream, yet Gatsby never ceases to reach for his goals. Gatsby even believes that he can fix every mistake he has made in the past (Fitzgerald 128). His naive and ignorant outlook on his future influences many vindictive decisions he has made in his past. Nick’s admiration of Gatsby’s ambitions compels him to recognize Gatsby’s efforts. Nick exclaims that Gatsby is “worth the whole damn bunch put together” (Fitzgerald 126). Nick idolizes Gatsby because his questionable actions were driven by his immense passion for Daisy. Believing that the elite, upper class society is corrupt, Nick found that Gatsby was the only wealthy individual he had met who is pure of
The novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald relates the story of the mysterious Jay Gatsby through the eyes of an idealistic man that moves in next door to the eccentric millionaire. Nick Carraway comes to the east coast with dreams of wealth, high society, and success on his mind. It is not long before Gatsby becomes one of his closest friends who offers him the very lifestyle and status that Nick came looking for. As the story unfolds, it is easy to see that the focus on Jay Gatsby creates a false sense of what the story truly is. The Great Gatsby is not the tragic tale of James Gatz (Jay Gatsby), but rather the coming of age story of Nick Carraway. In many ways the journeys of Gatsby and Nick are parallel to one another, but in the end it’s Nick’s initiation into the real world that wins out.
Thirdly, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's, Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway has to much faith in his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, which leads to consequences. In Nick's younger years, his father gave him advice that"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had"(Fitzgerald 1). With this in the back his mind, Nick, who is originally from Minnesota, moves into a small shack in Long Island that "was an eye-sore"(7) , next to the mysterious Jay Gatsby's mansion. Almost every Saturday, at the mansion is elaborate parties are going on but Jay Gatsby was never seen visible. One Saturday morning "a chauffeur in a uniform of robin's egg blue crossed (Nick's) lawn,[...] with a surprisingly formal not from his employed --- the honor would be entirely Gatsby's, if I would attend his 'little party' that night"(45).
A soft breeze lifts off the Sound and brushes Nick Carraway’s face as he emerges from the shadows into the moonlight. His eyes first gaze across the bay to the house of Tom and Daisy where Nick sees past the walls to people who “...smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together...” (Fitzgerald: 187- 188). Nick’s head then turns to his side where he views Gatsby’ s mansion. His heart swells for the man who was unable to let go of the past, and move toward his future. With the two houses juxtaposed in his mind’s eye, Nick ponders his experiences in the East, and enters the car to take him home with a new perspective on life. Nick’s maturity becomes evident as his perspective of society becomes more realistic as a result of his observing the consequences which occur in unhealthy relationships.
From the beginning of The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carraway is developed as a reliable narrator. His honesty and sense of duty are established as he remarks on his own objectivity and willingness to withhold judgment. However, as the book progresses and Nick’s relationship with Jay Gatsby grows more intimate, it is revealed that Nick is not as reliable as previously thought when it comes to Gatsby. Nick perceives Gatsby as pure and blameless, although much of Gatsby's persona is false. Because of his friendship and love for Gatsby, his view of the events is fogged and he is unable to look at the situation objectively.
Gatsby downfall came when he sacrificed his morality to attain wealth. Gatsby realises that the illusion of his dream with Daisy, demands wealth to become priority, and thus wealth becomes the desire overriding his need for her [Daisy’s] love. Gatsby claims to others that he has inherited his wealth, but Nick discovers "[h]is parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people" (Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, pg 104) and that Gatsby has lied about his past. In a society that relies on luxuries, Gatsby throws parties to attract Daisy’s attention. Also, Gatsby expresses that same need to keep busy, just as Daisy does, in a society of the elite. Nick describes Gatsby as "never quite still, there was always a tapping foot somewhere or the impatient opening and closing of a hand" (Fitzgerald, pg 68). Gatsby fills his house "full of interesting people...who do interesting things" (Fitzgerald, pg 96). Gatsby's dream is doomed to failure in that he has lost the fundamental necessities to experience love, such as honesty and moral integrity.
In conclusion Gatsby went from powerful millionaire to obsessive lover boy. However it does not end here. Gatsby as a whole can be seen as a cautionary tale, warning its readers to not base their hopes on hallow dreams at Gatsby did. However it’s what he did to attain his status earns him his “greatness”, his self-invention, his talent to make his dreams come true. So there is some good that comes from all the disarray and further cynical attitude set forth by its narrator Nick. Like Odysseus in the Odyssey, he had an undying perseverance to get home or in this case win Daisy back, but like any of Shakespeare’s tragic heroes he did enough to induce his downfall. He chased the American Dream, in constant pursuit with no sign of stopping, even if it killed him.