The Power Of Ambition In The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby is a novel about the passions of the idealistic Jay Gatsby. His view of the world maintains that anything is possible. He centers his lifestyle around this philosophy and sets his ambitions on idealistic goals. He does not consider that many of his aspirations are far-fetched, possibly unachievable. Nonetheless, he has the power to put his ideals to the test and he finds out their real worth. Gatsby’s greatest ambition is to create a new life for himself and to dissolve his humble beginnings into oblivion. He wishes todisown his common family and become a rich businessman with a rich ancestry. The first step in doing this is to deny his birth by changing his name from James Gatz, the name his parents gave him, to Jay Gatsby, …show more content…

So, their relationship ended as Gatsby went overseas to the First
World War. After returning from the war and making his millions, Gatsby wants another chance with Daisy. He believes he is now worthy of her because of his material possessions. He wants to revive the love they had many years ago. When his friend Nick says to Gatsby that he cannot repeat the past, Gatsby retorts with, “Can’t repeat the past?
Why of course you can!” This firm ideal is the basis for Gatsby’s way of living. He works to make himself look well off so that Daisy will love him. His idealism gives him the impression that money can buy love. In reality, this does turn out to be true. One place that Gatsby’s idealism fails him is in his vision of a perfect relationship. He envisions that life would be perfect if Daisy were to love him. His ideal woman would be true to him if only he could prove worthy of her. He does not consider the reality of Daisy’s marriage or how her husband will feel about the affair. Nor does he consider that Daisy may have trouble hiding her love. Another kink in the relationship is that Gatsby does not have the ideal background he has invented. He has no wealthy family background or Oxford education. The source of his wealth is through

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