Tag: The Great Gatsby

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The Role of Women in The Great Gatsby

Reading “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Introduction

The Women of the 1920s

Over the decades following the Civil War, the United States became an industrial powerhouse with the introduction of mass production. Industrialization encouraged more women to join the workforce outside their homes. During World War I, about 4.8 million Americans served in the war, and women took on jobs that men had left behind, such as working in factories, serving as nurses, and managing farms. By 1920, 20% of American Women worked outside their homes. 

As more women stepped out of their domestic roles, they reevaluated their rights and demanded gender equality. Women spoke out about social issues they experienced, such as domestic violence and drinking, and formed organizations to fight for their right to vote. If women contributed to the economy just like men, they deserved a voice in political decisions. Their efforts paid off when the United States granted women suffrage on August 18, 1920.

The 1920s, the Rolling ’20s, represents a philosophical and cultural change. Industrialization made many electric appliances available to people and encouraged a materialistic society. As more women entered the labor force, they started redefining their roles and possibilities. Women, like flappers, challenged traditional gender roles and rebelled against ideas of marriage, family expectations, and parental control. Flappers became famous in cities like New York for their bold fashion statements. They wore shorter skirts and bobbed hair and challenged old-fashioned norms. These women symbolized the idea of independence, showing that women could have more possibilities in life.

The women in The Great Gatsby show what life was like during that time. They have unclear morals and are part of the story to show how people care more about money and things than doing what is right. Women seemed more independent than ever. At the same time, they also show the limits women faced in society and the economy. Women’s independence seemed also an illusion. In this blog, I’ll talk about their roles in the book and how they affect the story of The Great Gatsby.

Feminine Power and Vulnerability

The rolling 20s was like a paradigm shift to women’s roles, although these changes were often more surface-level than deep. Many people still disagree with this progressive idea. So, traditional norms and systemic barriers still limit women’s social and economic freedoms. For most women, marriage continued to define their role in society. Women who pursued independence—whether by working, living on their own, or expressing sexual freedom—were often harshly judged and labeled as “immoral.” It was still difficult for women to break free from societal expectations.

The Roles of Women in The Great Gatsby

Daisy Buchanan’s Impact on Gatsby

Daisy Buchanan is portrayed as an antagonist in the book. She symbolizes Gatsby’s ultimate goal, the American dream, where wealth and love intertwine. She drives Gatsby’s ambition to acquire wealth and status. Even Gatsby’s lavish lifestyle and parties are all designed to win Daisy back. Yet, there was a problem. She was from a completely different social class from Gatsby’s and was already married to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby sees her as perfection but is blind to her flaws and superficiality, resulting in his downfall and tragic death. Daisy represents Gatsby and his tragic idealism of the American Dream at the same time.

Daisy’s Materialism and Indecision

Daisy is portrayed as materialistic. Daisy doesn’t admire Gatsby; instead, she admires his rich, material possessions. She notices how his mansion looks “like a castle,” loves the beautiful gardens, and gets excited about the smells of flowers and the golden light around the house. She even cries over Gatsby’s shirts, but not because of Gatsby himself—just the luxury they represent. When Gatsby says that Daisy’s voice is “full of money” (p. 75), he sums her up perfectly.

Daisy values only wealth and the lifestyle it brings. In this way, she reflects the materialistic attitudes of many wealthy people in the 1920s. 

Daisy comes from an old-money family, growing up surrounded by wealth and privilege. She doesn’t just have money—she almost is money in how she acts and values. For example, when Daisy visits Gatsby’s mansion for the first time, the narrator says, “Daisy came out of the house, and two rows of brass buttons on her dress gleamed in the sunlight” (p. 57). The way her buttons shine in the sun seems like a reminder that Daisy is all about wealth and luxury.

To understand Daisy’s inability to choose Gatsby, we need to think about what life was like for women in the 1920s. Even though women had gained the right to vote and were starting to enjoy more freedom in this era, they were still held back by strict traditional gender roles. Did Daisy genuinely have the option to live independently? She might have been unhappy in her marriage to Tom, but running away with Gatsby—a man with no actual social standing—would have been a huge social and financial risk.

Daisy might seem like she has power, but her life is shaped by her need for wealth and her place in high society. Her choice to stay with Tom shows how much she depends on financial security and how trapped she is by social expectations. While she seems charming and free, underneath it all, Daisy is stuck in a system where men hold the power and women must rely on them. 

Emotional and Moral Impact:

Daisy’s inability to make a clear choice and her retreat to the comfort of wealth play a big part in Gatsby’s downfall. She can’t stand up to Tom or fully commit to Gatsby, which shows how empty and shallow Gatsby’s dream really is. Gatsby gives up everything for Daisy, even taking the blame for Myrtle’s death, showing how much his life is centered on a dream he can never truly have. In the end, Daisy runs back to her husband and the security of his money, leaving Gatsby behind.

The Relationship Difference Between Tom and Gatsby

Daisy’s relationship with Gatsby is about reliving the romance of the past, while her relationship with Tom is more like a practical marriage partnership. With Gatsby, Daisy seeks the excitement and thrill of love, but she finds the security and stability she needs with Tom. No matter how rich Gatsby becomes, he can never offer Daisy the sense of safety that Tom provides.

Daisy never seriously considers having a committed relationship with Gatsby. Her hesitation is evident in the book when it says, “She hesitated. Her eyes fell on Jordan and me with a sort of appeal, as though she realized at last what she was doing—and as though she had never, all along, intended doing anything at all” (p. 82). This moment shows that Daisy is unsure of her actions and unwilling to commit to Gatsby fully.

Jordan Baker’s Role

A Mirror to Nick’s Integrity

Jordan Baker has an exciting role in the book. She appears as a Foil to Nick. A foil is a literary device highlighting a particular quality or trait of other characters by contrast. Jordan’s modern independence and moral ambiguity contrast with Nick’s Midwestern values and his struggle with honesty. While Nick prides himself on being “honest” and reserved, Jordan’s deceitful, carefree attitude challenges his worldview. She exposes Nick’s internal conflict about his complicity in the moral failings of the people around him.

Foil to Gatsby

While Gatsby is idealistic and clings to the past, Jordan is pragmatic and lives entirely in the present. This makes her a subtle foil to Gatsby through her impact on Nick, who grows increasingly critical of Gatsby’s refusal to accept reality. 

Romantic Influence 

Nick and Jordan’s relationship is more casual. Jordan’s dispassionate approach to relationships contrasts with Gatsby’s obsessive love for Daisy, underscoring the futility of Gatsby’s dream. Their relationship is a smaller version of the novel’s bigger idea. Jordan’s independent attitude clashes with Nick’s mid-western traditional values. Ultimately, Nick feels that Jordan let him down, so he breaks up with her when he realizes how careless she is. Nick despises the selfish and immoral behavior of the wealthy people around him and leaves for the West.

Conclusion

Understanding Daisy and Jordan’s roles in this book is critical to understanding the author’s messages behind the story. Their impacts on Gatsby and Nick highlight the complexities of relationship society grappling with rapid social changes in the early 1920s United States. 

Daisy motivates Gatsby’s rise, but she also exemplifies the emptiness of his dream. Jordan challenges Nick’s ideas by failing to inspire genuine growth or connection. These dynamics mirror the paradox of the 1920s: a time of progress and rebellion but also persistent inequality, particularly in the expectations and limitations placed on women. I cannot stop feeling Fitzgerald’s cynicism toward women’s independence and the American dream from the plot and the book’s characters. 

Something You Want to Think About

The women in The Great Gatsby are judged more harshly than the men. When I first read the novel, I really disliked Daisy. However, this time around, it made me question my initial reaction. Daisy is criticized for her choices, yet Tom’s cheating and Gatsby’s illegal activities are often overlooked or even admired. This seems to reflect the hypocrisy of the 1920s when women’s freedoms were still restricted by a male-dominated society, even though they were making progress in other areas. I think these types of hypocrisy still exist in the world, and I am also a hypocrite for exercising double standards. Do you think this double standard still exists today? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

Introduction

When I read this book, one thing that stood out to me was the use of symbolism in the story. Symbolism is a powerful literary device that vividly expresses a person, situation, or object to readers. It also adds enriched subtle flavor to literature, just like Umami in cooking. 

Some symbolism is straightforward. For example, color symbolism is used in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” for an English speaker. Some symbolism, like “The Green Light” in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, is more universally relatable. Many readers would see the green light as the symbol of the American Dream.

Some symbolism is ambiguous and may have a different meaning for each reader depending on their experience, knowledge, or background. Foster (2003) writes in his book “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” that not all symbols are straightforward; on many occasions, symbols cannot be reduced to one thing; instead, they permit an unlimited range of possible interpretations (pp.104-106). Sometimes, the same symbolism could polymorph to convey entirely different meanings. For example, water in Awakening by Kate Chopin would mean unlimited freedom, while water in The Great Gatsby represents something else. 

Understanding symbolism in literature could enrich one’s reading experience. After reading multiple times and researching the meaning behind the symbolism, I came to my own conclusion on how I interpret the symbolism in The Great Gatsby. In this blog, I will discuss the symbolism in The Great Gatsby.

The Green Light

The green light is a symbol of hope and the American Dream that Gatsby chases. In English literature, the color green often stands for envy. It also represents money in the United States. The green light shows Gatsby’s envy and longing for the American Dream, old money. Gatsby believes that if he becomes wealthy enough, he will be accepted by the old-money society of East Egg. Having the green light on the Deck of Tom and Daisy’s house represents that marrying Daisy, for him, would mean becoming a part of that world.

Gatsby can see the green light glowing across the bay from his house. However, the water separates them, just like the social class divide. The water between Gatsby’s home and Daisy’s symbolizes their social gap. No matter how much effort he puts in or how much money he earns, he cannot close this gap. So, the light is always just out of his reach.

Why did Fitzgerald choose a light? A light is intangible—you can see it, but you can’t touch or hold it. This makes it the perfect symbol for Gatsby’s dream. No matter how rich he becomes, he will never be truly accepted by the old money elite because he lacks the family history they value. It’s a clever use of symbolism. It’s a haunting reminder of his dreams and his pursuits’ emptiness. By using a light, Fitzgerald emphasizes that Gatsby’s version of the American Dream is more like an illusion—something he can never attain. 

The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg

The first time “The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg” appears in the book is in Chapter 2. This is another clever symbol Fitzgerald uses to subtly critique the moral decay and corruption of authority during this period.

The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg symbolize the moral decline of those in power. These eyes are part of a billboard featuring T.J. Eckleburg’s giant blue eyes. The eyes seem to watch everyone who passes by, but as the book says, “they look out of no face” (p.19). This suggests they don’t truly see anything. Instead, they watch from behind “a pair of enormous yellow spectacles” (p.19). The pick of “yellow” for the spectacle makes them seem like a corrupt authority tainted by greed and lies. The eyes symbolize a hollow moral authority that does nothing about the corruption and decay of the 1920s.

The billboard is faded, showing how worn and meaningless this supposed “authority” has become. The book describes it as “by many paintless days, under sun and rain” (p.19). The eyes stare at the “solemn dumping ground” (p.19), overlooking the polluted and neglected valley. This valley, more likely a byproduct of industrialization, shows the consequences of greed and negligence. Yet, the so-called authority represented by the eyes does nothing to fix it.

The Valley of Ashes

The “valley of ashes,” which appears in the 2nd chapter of the book, is a wasteland where the working poor live, a stark contrast to the vibrant and glamorous lives in East and West Egg. Fitzgerald uses this setting to show the darker side of the American Dream. In this industrial world, the rich become richer while the poor are stuck in a dull, colorless existence. It critiques the idea that wealth alone can bring happiness, revealing how luxury often comes at the expense of those who are forgotten and left to struggle.

For many Americans, the economic boom of the 1920s did not mean prosperity. The gap between the rich and the poor was enormous. According to a BBC source, the top 5% of Americans earned one-third of the country’s income. In comparison, over 60% lived below the poverty line.

Fitzgerald’s portrayal of the Valley of Ashes echoes themes in Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. Like Sinclair, Fitzgerald highlights the effects of industrialization on the working class. While Sinclair openly exposes the poor conditions and exploitation of workers, Fitzgerald uses a more subtle approach, creating a visual parody of industrial decay using “Ashes.”

The Valley’s polluted environment symbolizes the toll industrialization takes on the working class, even as the wealthy continue to thrive in luxury. Since Gatsby’s party is colorful, it emphasizes how dull the environment appears outside the rich area.

Conclusion

I was thrilled as I worked to decode the deeper meanings of The Great Gatsby. When I got to the second chapter, I was amazed at how cleverly the symbolism was used. The more I thought about it, the more I realized the story was about more than just the characters. While The Great Gatsby is a tragedy, I can’t help but feel the author’s criticism of the American Dream woven into the narrative.

In this blog, I focused on the symbolism of the green light, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes because those are more likely your English teacher asks you to think about the meaning behind them. However, the novel is rich with even more symbols, especially through its use of color (white, yellow, and green). After reading this, I encourage you to think about what each color might symbolize for you. Please share your thoughts with us! Don’t worry if your interpretation is different. Interpretation of symbolism varies with a reader, which makes literature so fascinating.

References

Weaknesses in the American economy became more apparent as the 1920s progressed (CCEA). (n.d.). BBC Bitesize. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znw2fdm

Fitzgerald, F.S. (1925). The Great Gatsby, Scribner. (the book was printed by Amazon)

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How Fitzgerald Made Jay Gatsby

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)

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The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

~ Reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Introduction

Long before the Declaration of Independence in 1776, many Europeans and colonizers headed to the New World, now known as the United States. They sought refuge from the constraints of their homelands, hoping for political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, or escaping prosecution. However, over time, many began to feel exploited by their countries of origin despite living in this new land. So, they declared independence in 1776. Even after the Declaration of Independence, people continued to migrate to the United States, inspired by the promise of ‘Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness’—an ideal later known as the American Dream.

After the 1880s, the United States experienced an industrial revolution. The definition of the American Dream started to shift to something more materialistic. The United States earned a lot during the First World War. In the 1920s, the United States experienced a crazy and chaotic period, with massive economic exploration until 1929, when the market crashed.

The book The Great Gatsby was written and published in 1925 by F Scott Fitzgerald. It’s a book written from the percept of Nick Carraway, both inside and outside the event surrounded by Jay Gatsby. The mysterious Jay Gatsby lived in the vast mansion next door to Nick House. Gatsby built his fortune so that he would be with Daisy Buchannan, from old money, by doing bootlegging and shady bonds. He always held lavish parties so that he could meet his lost love once again, hoping to be with her. Despite the massive wealth Gatsby accumulated, Daisy did not leave her husband for Gatsby in the end.

There are pieces of Scott’s sentiments everywhere in the novel itself. For one, just like Jay Gatsby was pursuing Daisy, he was pursuing Genevra King, the daughter of a wealthy banker. Despite attending a private school for the elite and Princeton University, he was from a modest family. When Fitzgerald went to see her father, Genevra’s father told Fitzgerald that a poor boy should not seek to marry into a wealthy family. Later, he met Zelda Sayre, who was also from an affluent Southern family. Zelda also rejected Fitzgerald’s marriage proposal, as she wasn’t sure of Fitzgerald’s future financial prospects. After his first novel was published, Zelda accepted Scott’s marriage proposal. From what I could tell from his biography, happiness did not seem to last in their marriage, especially after their financial situation deteriorated.

Despite his humble background, Fitzgerald did very well after publishing his book. He lived in a luxury apartment on Long Island and enjoyed a life of riches there. The economic stroke of 1929 impaired him financially. To make it worse, he also had alcohol use disorder and health problems from heavy drinking in his youth. They were nearly bankrupt when they moved to Ashville, North Carolina. Desperate for money, Fitzgerald returned to Hollywood. The final year, he managed to achieve sobriety, but he was broke when he died in 1940. He was just 44 years old.

This novel allowed me to rethink what the American Dream truly means. Like many others, I once aspired to this ideal and came to the United States with that hope. While achieving the American Dream would not be impossible, it remains a significant challenge. Jay Gatsby’s disillusionment with the American Dream reflects the gap between his dream and reality, probably shaped by what Fitzgerald himself experienced.  In this blog, I’ll explore the American Dream, Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of it, Fitzgerald’s experience, and Gatsby’s disillusionment – the novel’s critique of this enduring ideal.

The American Dream

What is the American Dream?

So, What is the American Dream? Climbing up the ladder of social states? Having a Porsche or a mansion. The definition of the American was slightly different a long time ago. Some people sought economic opportunities; many sought liberty or a new life in the new world. An industrial revolution in the 1880s shifted the definition to a more worldly one. Reeve (1987) explains the American Dream in three dimensions: the frontier, social mobility, and wealth.

The Frontier:

The frontier originally meant exploring something unknown. Many colonizers came to the new world to settle, or someone like Lewis and Clark explored the west of the United States. In this context, the American dream symbolizes expanding one’s opportunity by exploring the unknown and building a new life from nothing. The concept of the Frontier attracts many immigrants and colonizers to head to America, believing anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination. It embodies a spirit of exploration and expansion both geographically and socially.

The frontier is shaped by people who overcome obstacles or limitations due to birth or position, carving out their place in society, just like Gatsby. His efforts to rise from humble origins are considered frontier ideology to live in East Egg. East Egg, the green light, was the symbolic “frontier” for Gatsby.

Social Mobility:

Social mobility refers to moving up or down the social ladder by earning more or having a better education or status. In the idealized American Dream, social mobility is the key. To achieve the American dream, people work hard to improve their circumstances regardless of birth or origin. 

The promise of social mobility is central to the American dream. In The Great Gatsby, however, the author questions this promise. While Gatsby earned and accumulated wealth, he never gained acceptance from the East Egg people. After his death, people who frequently attended the party Gatsby held did not even show up for his funeral, suggesting that the ideology is a social myth by the author. 

Wealth

Wealth in the context of the American Dream is often equated with success, prosperity, and achieving one’s goals. It represents the material rewards of hard work and ambition, whether a large house, financial security, or luxury items.

Gatsby achieved wealth just like he expected. Wealth is central to the plot of Great Gatsby, as characters like Gatsby pursue it to attain status and happiness—at least that he thought. He obtained prosperity by dealing with shady bonds or bootlegging, suggesting he did not care how he obtained prosperity. The novel also critiques the idea that wealth leads to true fulfillment, as the characters’ lives, despite their riches, are often empty and morally corrupt. Ultimately, his wealth did not bring his genuine desire – to be with Daisy. 

Fitzgerald understood how wealth impacts getting married from his experience, especially if you marry someone richer than you. After all, He was rejected for marriage twice for the same reason of having enough financial prosperity. His effort to become successful as a writer resembles how Gatsby tried to obtain to be with Daisy. In the end, Fitzgerald and Zelda are not happy despite their success. In some way, Fitzgerald and Zelda also resemble Tom and Daisy’s relationship. 

The Disillusionment of the American Dream by Gatsby

Jay Gatsby was a successful man who achieved the end; however, his ending was rather tragic. He accumulated a vast fortune, hoping to win Daisy’s love. However, despite his success, Daisy still decides not to leave her husband, showing that true happiness and acceptance remain elusive no matter how much wealth one gains. Daisy wasn’t drawn to Gatsby himself but to the lifestyle and status his wealth represented. The novel illustrates the near impossibility of social mobility. The divide between West Egg’s New Money and East Egg’s Old Money highlights the entrenched class barriers.

Fitzgerald underscores that wealth alone cannot bring happiness or elevate one’s social standing in a rigidly stratified society. Only Nick and Gatsby’s father attended Gatsby’s funeral, revealing the superficial nature of his social connections. Through this, Fitzgerald critiques the illusion of the American Dream and the false promise of upward mobility. 

The disillusionment of the American Dream is a recurring theme in American Literature. For example, In Death of a Salesman, a play by Arthur Miller, a salesman meets a tragic end as he chases success without a clear strategy or realistic self-awareness. In the novella Of Mice and Men, written” by John Steinbeck, Stenbeck explores another poignant example of disillusionment. 

For centuries, many people worldwide, including myself, have come to North America hoping to build a better life. Even people born in the United States have long aspired to achieve wealth and success. In reality, the American Dream is perceived as more challenging to achieve. Younger Americans are more skeptical of obtaining the American Dream. According to the Pew Research Center (July 2, 2024), only 53% of people believe that is possible, while 41 % feel it may have been possible in the past. Furthermore, the stats suggest that older and wealthier adults believe achieving the American dream is still possible.

Many of us have faced the disillusionment of this ideal, realizing that the path to success often requires more than hard work and ambition. The American Dream remains a powerful concept, but its promise has grown elusive in today’s society.

My Thought

For me, the definition of the American Dream was to escape from the gender expectations in Japan. It was more challenging for women to be successful outside their homes. I have seen the Japanese economy deteriorate gradually. Employment preference was given to males. The more I heard that many women could not get a full-time job despite their education, the stronger my determination to come to North America became. 

I did not become rich like Gatsby, but I feel all right. I have my own family here in the United States, a graduate-level education, and a professional job. Despite the depressing stats I provided earlier, I am still hopeful. Anyone can achieve the American Dream with a clear strategy or realistic self-awareness.

References

Borelli, G. (2024, July 2). Americans are split over the state of the American dream. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/02/americans-are-split-over-the-state-of-the-american-dream/


Vanneman, R., & Cannon, L. W. (1987). The American Dream. In The American Perception of Class (pp. 257–282). Temple University Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv941wv0.17