Introduction
When I read this for the first time, I was surprised by how much my perception of Jay Gatsby changed over time. Initially, he was mysterious, almost like a shadowy gangster involved in bootlegging. However, by the middle of the book, my perception of Jay Gatsby had changed to something more admirable. I saw him as a determined young man who worked hard to achieve his goals. By the end, his death honestly broke my heart. Interestingly, this emotional shift was so gradual that I didn’t even realize how I invested my emotion into this protagonist. I started to wonder how Fitzgerald created that effect.
In my second read, I could see that it was all about how Fitzgerald developed Gatsby’s character, leading him to become a tragic hero who represents the failure of the American Dream. To understand how Fitzgerald built such a tragic character, it helps to look at what makes a protagonist into a tragic hero.
Writers and scholars have studied the concept of the tragic Heroes for centuries, from ancient Greece to Shakespeare and beyond. In English literature, we first consider Shakespeare, who wrote many great tragedies, such as Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. However, the idea of tragedy goes all the way back to ancient Greece, where Aristotle described the tragic hero in a way that still resonates today. According to Bennett & Ryole (2016), Aristotle defies that tragic hero as the following. A tragic hero is the main character, someone noble or admirable, who we can relate to or feel for. This character faces suffering or downfall, often ending in their death or failure by the story’s close. While their end feels like it had to happen and seems fair somehow, it also feels wrong and problematic to accept simultaneously. Furthermore, he also added three more elements that must be contained: peripeteia (‘reversal’), anagnorisis (‘revelation’ or ‘coming to self-knowledge’), and hamartia (‘tragic flaw’ or ‘error’) (p.119).
In my last blog post, I wrote about the American Dream and the story’s historical background. This time, I’ll dig into how Fitzgerald shapes Gatsby’s character throughout the book. In this post, I’ll explore how Fitzgerald uses these elements to shape Gatsby as a tragic hero, making his story both captivating and heartbreaking. Ultimately, how this tragic hero tied into Fitzgerald’s main critique, “the disillusionment of the American Dream.”
Gatsby’s Mysterious Persona
To introduce the protagonist gradually, Fitzgerald used a narrative technique known as “gradual revelation” or “delayed characterization,” which gradually revealed Gatsby and was very effective. This technique created Gatsby’s mysterial character by investing the reader in accumulating information about him, heightening the emotional impact of his eventual downfall. By the end of the book, I felt so bad for Gatsby that it made me think his death was rather unjustifiable.
Intentionally Crafted Narrative Distance
Gatsby was always presented from Nick’s eyes. By presenting Gatsby from someone else’s eye, Fitzgerald intentionally added a layer between Gatsby and the reader. At first, Nick knows nothing – and, therefore, the reader – about Gatsby. There are rumors and fragments of information about Gatsby, such as an Oxford man (p. 33), ‘he killed a man’ (p. 34), ‘bootlegger’ (p. 40), and so on. Some rumors, such as ‘he gives large parties,’ were true.
Nick’s unreliable narration and biases
Nick is reluctant to judge others because he recalls what his father said. He is very observant, but his narration is unreliable and biased. Nick’s impression of Gatsby evolves throughout the novel, although his subjective perspective views of Gatsby left me with more complex and contradictory views of him. Gatsby is a very determined man who has built his wealth. Nick admires Gatsby’s optimism and dream but is still critical of his moral ambiguity.
Fitzgerald builds Gatsby’s enigmatic persona through rumors rather than direct action. Nick hears the rumors about Gatsby—stories of him being a bootlegger, a war hero, or even a relative of the Kaiser—and gives readers a kaleidoscope of impressions from Nick’s perception. Although, all rumore could be possibly true because it represent the social atmosphere of 1920’s United States, where appearance matters more than reality.
Gradual Unveiling of Gatsby’s Tragic Idealism
As Nick learns more about Gatsby’s past and his idealized love for Daisy, his perception of Gatsby starts to shift, and the view of Gatsby crystallizes into a more recognizable human being. Gatsby is so fixated on trying to gain back the love he shared with Daisy that he becomes blind to Daisy’s flaws and vulnerability, which eventually results in his fall. The transition from mystery figure to tragedy is key to his characterization, creating the tragic Hero Arc containing all Aristotle’s identified elements. By the end, Gatsby’s idealism, hope, and innocence become apparent, making his death even more heartbreaking.
Symbolism of Gatsby’s Death
Gatsby’s tragic end symbolizes the disillusionment of the American Dream. By the time Gatsby dies, Nick’s administration shifts to sympathy. Gatsby is a tragic hero trapped in the impossible dream of wealth, love, and status.
Gatsby’s Background
Gatsby crafted and presented his idealized version regarding his wealth, heritage, and adventure. His tale reflects his desired appearance of himself as if he was born into the social class he was never born into, underscoring both his ambition and the constructed nature of his identity. Some of his tales could be more consistent.
The “Middle West” Inconsistency.
Gatsby claimed he was from a wealthy family in the Middle West, although he told Nick that he was from San Francisco (p. 42). Since San Franciso is not located in the Middle West, it suggests geographical inconsistency and his origin story is more likely the crafted version of the story.
Education at Oxford
He claimed he had gone to Oxford University (p. 42) and even stated that it was his family tradition. This lie is Gatsby’s attempt to establish himself as part of an old-money class. Later, we know this was also a fabricated story.
The Young Rajah Persona
Gatsby claimed that he was living like a young Rajah in the capitals of Europe, collecting jewels, hunting big game, and painting a little to forget about something unfortunate that had happened to him in the past (p. 42). He hints that he had heartbreak with Daisy, but the story still casts him as a sophisticated man with wealth.
Attempt to Authenticate His Crafted Persona
Despite many fabricated tales, there is some truth in his story. His “Valour Extraordinary” medal is one of the few verifiable aspects of his background. Gatsby’s real heroism in the war gives a glimpse of his genuine achievements, showing that his need for reinvention doesn’t come from a lack of personal worth but rather his desperate desire to fit Daisy’s world. The association with Dan Cody is also the truth, which is verifiable by the picture of Dan Cody.
Gatsby’s Actual Background
Chapter 6 of the book reveals Gatsby’s actual background. Gatsby was born into a humble family in North Dakota, in the Midwest, and his original name was James Gatz. At 17, he legally changed his name to “Jay Gatsby” to start his new life aligned with the American dream.
Before he met Dan Cody, Gatsby took whatever jobs he could, such as clam-digging and salmon fishing. His “brown, hardening body” indicates that he was doing intensive physical work during his youth.
Gatsby’s early experience with women left him jaded and “contemptuous of them.” He was more of a ladyman with a surface-level relationship with women. More likely, Daisy was the first unattainable woman he met in his formative years, leading to his obsession with Daisy. Daisy was an unattainable, “perfect” ideal.
Gatsby encountered with Dan Cody at Lake Superiors. He managed to impress Dan Cody, which is Gatsby’s turning point. The experience shapes Gatsby’s ambitions and gives him the tools to craft his new identity through Cody’s sudden death. Dan Cody left Gatsby some inheritance but could not legally claim him, so he pursued wealth by other means.
The Symbolism of Gatsby’s Mansion and Parties
Gatsby’s mansion and lavish parties reveal his immense ambition and attempts to fit into high society. Yet, despite all the effort, something feels off – his displays of wealth don’t quite get him accepted by the old money crowd. Gatsby is portrayed as an introverted character. Nick is poorer than Gatsby, yet Nick is more successful in associating with Tom or Daisy. I don’t even think he even enjoys crowds or parties. In reality, all his parties are for one person—Daisy.
Gatsby’s extravagant details are part of a carefully crafted image meant to attract her and gain approval from the wealthy people with whom he wants to belong. Yet, this also highlights his isolation and the shallow nature of his connections.
Artifice and Luxury
The over-the-top “salads of harlequin design” and “bewitched turkeys” evoke sophistication and extravagance, yet they are as fake as Gatsby’s identity. It’s hard to picture what a “harlequin” salad would look like—maybe he threw in some caviar for good measure! (After reading this book, I seriously considered how to make this salad.) His opulent spread and carefully arranged book collection are designed to impress. But the flashy display of wealth comes off as a bit showy, signaling that his wealth is new and somewhat garish—an attempt to mimic the old money class he admires. So, there is something amiss about all the displays he created. Gatsby still doesn’t quite belong to the society he longs to fit.
Transient, Superficial Connections
There were so many guests at Gatsby’s party, drinking, dancing, and listening to the music. Considering the prohibition at this period, serving alcohol for so many people looked pretty costly. The interesting part of the crowd was that almost all of them were not invited by Gatsby. They showed up at the party because someone wanted to go as if attending a carnival at an amusement park party.
Gambe never wants to associate with the crowds. Gatsby does not even introduce himself to guests at the party, even though he is hosting it. Crowds don’t even feel the need to thank Gatsby for the party. For them, Gatsby is an individual who holds a party with free drinks. Loose and rebellious, this fits into the theme of the moral corruption of the 1920s.
How superficial the connections to these crowds were revealed at the time of Gatsby’s funeral underlines Gatsby’s isolation from these crowds. Frankly, just like Nick, the story’s narrator, I was utterly disgusted by people. Nick’s perspectives on these people are introduced in the book’s first chapter. Again, this is a subtle yet practical introduction to Gatsby by the author, so Gatsby turns into a tragic hero at the end of the book.
Eventually, Gatsby realizes his grand parties won’t be enough to win Daisy over, so he turns to Nick to create an opportunity for them to meet directly. The reason behind his failure to lure old money leads to the tragic end of, ultimately, the myths of the American Dream.
Gatsby’s Love for Daisy
Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy reflects his longing for perfection, and Daisy symbolizes mystic love, which exists in his mind more than in reality. Although his love is intense, can you imagine someone who loves you building a mansion just across the street so that he or she can see you daily? Creepy. In this story, the author creates an exaggerated version of Gatsby’s desire and commitment to get them. If you think about his humble life of early life with clam-digging or salmon fishing, a building in a mansion on Long Island is impressive.
No matter Gatsby’s commitment in the book, Gatsby’s love for Daisy is not perceived as real but rather a more constructed illusion. I almost felt like he was in love with the idea of being with Daisy, not with her. Getting Daisy is a sub-reward for getting into a social class he has desired since he saw Don Cody. This obsessive love blinded him. He could not see Daisy’s flow at all, which made his intense and powerful but doomed pursuit.
Daisy’s Real Character vs. Gatsby’s Idealization
Gatsby’s love for Daisy feels more like an illusion or fantasy than actual, grounded affection, partially because of how he describes his feelings. “At his lip touch, she blossomed for him like a flower, and the incarnation was complete (p. 70). When Gatsby kissed her, it wasn’t just an act of love; it was like he was “bringing to life” his entire vision of success, happiness, and belonging.
Using words such as ‘incarnation’ or ‘she blossomed for him’ reveals that Gatsby sees Daisy not just as a person but as a kind of ideal—a perfect dream he’s created in his mind. Gatsby’s love is more about what Daisy represents than who she really is. To Gatsby, Daisy embodies all his dreams of wealth, beauty, and status, so his love for her is tied up with his ambition. This makes his feelings seem less like a genuine relationship and more like an obsession with an unreachable ideal. In other words, Gatsby’s “love” feels like an illusion because he’s chasing a version of Daisy that may never have indeed existed.
Part of his obsession with Daisy is tied strongly to her old money status, which is forever out of his reach despite his wealth. To him, Daisy embodies a world he longs to belong to—a world of elegance, stability, and privilege. There is a class division between people, which cannot break just because you work hard. People like Daisy also sit with their privileged lives without any effort or purpose, still managing to hurt people like Gatsby. Nick spits this out clearly in the first chapter of this book.
Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy creates a blind spot in his reality. Gatsby ignores that while charming and beautiful, Daisy is also shallow, materialistic, and, ultimately, unwilling to sacrifice her comfort and security for love. She left town with her husband despite the accidents she created. Ultimately, Daisy chooses Tom for his wealth and status, not just because of a moment of family pressure. This difference between Gatsby’s “vision” of Daisy and the honest Daisy becomes painfully clear when she wavers between Gatsby and Tom and retreats into her life with Tom, symbolizing her inability to live up to Gatsby’s expectations.
Gatsby’s tragic flaw
Gatsby’s Fatal Flaw and His Obsession with the Illusion of Love
Gatsby’s unwavering belief that he can recreate the past with Daisy drives him. He’s so wrapped up in this idealized vision that he’s blinded to the reality of their relationship. For Gatsby, Daisy is more than just a love interest—she embodies the social acceptance and sense of belonging he’s always craved. Therefore, his love for Daisy is closely tied to his desire to be accepted into the elite class. This unrealistic idealism makes him cling to Daisy, seeing her as a romantic partner, the final piece of a life he believes will make him complete. However, this dream is built on a shaky foundation of illusion rather than mutual connection, which quickly shutters when Daisy cannot openly choose Gatsby over Tom. Even after this, Gatsby can’t let go of his dream, leading to heartbreak.
More Money Does Not Place In Old-Money Crowd
Gatsby thinks having money puts him among the wealthy, old-money crowd that Daisy belongs to. But, in reality, he doesn’t get the people in East Egg. It is not about how much money you have but about the long line of wealthy, respected families. No matter how rich Gatsby becomes, his humble background and lack of family history keep him outside East Egg.
Gatsby also doesn’t fully grasp the social cues of the old-money world. For instance, he misses subtle hints, like when a woman casually invites him to join her at a party. Tom, who notices this, can’t help but look down on Gatsby for not fitting in smoothly. This misunderstanding shows how, despite all his wealth, Gatsby can’t entirely break into the world he longs to join.
The American Dream as an Illusion
Nick’s observation that Gatsby “had paid a high price for living too long with a single dream” underscores the self-destructive nature of Gatsby’s fixation. His entire life becomes a monument to a false ideal, and when it collapses, he’s left without purpose or identity. Gatsby’s tragedy reflects the dangers of investing one’s entire identity in a singular, illusory goal, especially one tied to wealth and social acceptance.
Conclusion
The core of this book is all about the American Dream- especially one man’s dream and fulfillment. But really, it’s more about a disillusionment with the American Dream. Fitzgerald brings Gatsby’s character into Nick’s life in a way that makes us feel the impact of his tragic journey, ultimately revealing Fitzgerald’s main critique of the American dream.
Pathos is one of the rhetorical elements used to convince the audience of your main point through emotional appeals. Fitzgerald created a tragic story to convince you of his main point of disillusionment with the American dream and how dangerous it would be if that were the sole purpose of your drive. To make his story point effective, he intentionally used the effective method to create the tragic hero character Jay Gatsby.
References
Bennett, A. & Royle, N. (2016). An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory (5th ed.). Routhledge.
Fitzgerald, F.S. (1925). The Great Gatsby, Scribner. (Amazon printed the book)
