The
Great
Gatsby
“THEY’RE A ROTTEN CROWD… YOU’RE WORTH THE WHOLE DAMN BUNCH PUT TOGETHER.” -Nick Carraway
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald highlights the decline of the American Dream in the 1920s. The 1920s, more commonly known as the Roaring Twenties, was a decade of economic prosperity as World War I had recently come to an end.
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The novel explores the man named Jay Gatsby. A mysterious person who holds extravagant parties at his mansion every week. Anyone could attend these parties, an invitation was not necessary. Gatsby is of new money, meaning he obtained wealth without being born into a prestigious family. However no one knows how Gatsby obtained his money. He eventually reveals his past to the narrator, Nick Carraway, a man of old money (wealthy prestigious families).
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Gatsby was a poor man who worked his way up in society (to become a somebody). His attempts to fit in with the old money crowd are futile as the nature of Gatsby's background make it impossible. Gatsby, being the embodiment of the American Dream, is killed by the actions of the old money crowd, showing us the decline of the American Dream.
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Quick Summary
Is Gatsby Great?
Our group has different opinions on whether Jay Gatsby is deserving of being remembered as the "Great Gatsby". Here are some points that support as well as oppose the argument.
GATSBY IS GREAT
GATSBY IS NOT GREAT
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Gatsby relentlessly chases after his dream as all Americans do, refusing to accept reality when it comes to it
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Gatsby pursuing his dream actually reveals its corruption (He only cares about becoming a somebody who is good enough for Daisy, he refuses to be himself)
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Gatsby's dream is perfect, too perfect; fulfilling a dream such as his would only be possible in, ironically, a dream
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Gatsby does not realize his dream has been corrupted because he only has a vision of the end goal (getting back together with the Daisy that exists in his mind)
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Gatsby is the embodiment of the American Dream
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He has an unrivaled determination to achieve his dreams (showed by doing anything to reunite with Daisy)
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Gatsby is the most authentic character in the novel (The old money crowd are all dishonest people, even Nick who claims to be the "most honest person he knows")
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Despite Daisy being Gatsby's main motivation to become wealthy enough to impress her, he would have became wealthy and famous regardless because of Dan Cody's influence
An Unreachable Dream
Gatsby reminisces about the past as he tells Nick about how his life was amazing with Daisy. Gatsby will stop at nothing to obtain Daisy's affection that he once had. However, Nick tells Gatsby that he should move on, because the past cannot be repeated.
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"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!"
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Gatsby believes he is able to repeat the past because he is delusional, not having a grip on reality. The only way Gatsby has a chance at getting back together with Daisy is if he repeats the past, otherwise it is nothing but a pipe dream. If Daisy were single, it might be possible, but she is already married to the wealthy Tom Buchanan.