The Great Gatsby Character Analysis Essay

What does the novel say about materialism? What, if any, are the similarities between the 1920s American society and the 21st Century American society with regard to materialism?

Nick is involved in many of Gatsby's affairs and he finally learns that the American Dream does not bring any happiness to Gatsby and destroys him instead. Nick, who leaves his Midwestern life and its values, is a witness to the destruction of the American Dream. Nick comes to the East with great hope and expectations, but then discovers how the hope has been

The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald gives the reader a look inside the drama driven world of the high class of New York. Told from the point of view of one of the novel’s protagonists Nick Carraway, the novel displays recurring themes of love and deceit. The narrator considers himself to be on the outside looking in, and he feels justified in judging the characters within the elite society due to his belief that his sense of morality is stronger than theirs. Despite his belief, however, he unintentionally reveals to the reader the true manner of his character, which is really just as unacceptable as the people he commentates on. Though Nick prides himself in his honesty, he falls in love with Jordan Baker, suggesting that he is not better than the high society he abhors.

Gatsby was an exceptional man with boundless potential. At the age of seventeen, James Gatz had completely reinvented his name and image. By cause of becoming Jay Gatsby, he had proven his longing for spiritual greatness. Nick as the narrator, admired this quality within Gatsby, he shared, “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.” (6). Initially Gatsby had struggled with the idea of accepting his lower social class and poverty that he was born into, “[A] life with poor, unsuccessful parents.” (20). The narrator described,“ For over a year he had been beating his way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food or bed.” (98). Gatsby had endured a difficult life however after his encounter with Dan Cody, a wealthy man that gained his riches from copper mines, Gatsby’s perception of his ultimate potential was reformed. Likewise this made Gatsby determined to obtain that

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby may be perceived as a trustworthy and good man, but the complete opposite is true. Gatsby embellishes his best features, but hides his worst. He does everything he possibly can to give the illusion that he has a perfect life, but never addresses his personal issues. Gatsby’s true personality differs greatly from how he presents himself, as proven by his tendencies to be unrealistic, immoral, and dishonest.

The novel The Great Gatsby is told from the point of view of a man name Nick Carraway. Nick Carraway is a young man from Minnesota who went to Yale then to New York to study business bonds. As Nick grew up, he followed a lesson that his father gave him, which was to never judge others. Because of that lesson, Nick grew up to be someone who is tolerant, open-minded, quiet, and a good listener, which made others want to talk to him more. Nick lives on the West Egg district of Long Island next to a mysterious rich man who is later revealed to be Gatsby. Gatsby is a romantic who dreams about the past of him and Daisy. He always looks at things optimistically and always looks for a solution. Gatsby would throw these extravagant parties that

Nick changes throughout the book. He starts off fascinated by the exciting lives of New Yorkers and tired of the small towns in the midwest. However, by the end of the book, Nick realizes that the superficiality of their lives and returns to the wholesome midwest.

In the 1920’s earning money was easy, therefore social values corrupted the American dream. This novel reflects this idea as

The American Dream may seen impossible to some, but it is attainable by those who strive for it. It is handed to some on a silver platter, while others have to work religiously to accomplish it. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, a few have to work hard to get to where they are, while the others came into their money more easily. The novel mainly takes place in New York during the 1920’s in the East and West Eggs. Nick Carraway has just moved from the Mid West to the new money area of East Egg. His cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and his old Yale alumni friend, Tom Buchanan, reside in the old money area of West Egg. He soon comes to meet the mysterious Jay Gatsby, that hold many secrets to who he actually is, and how he came into his money.

“The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream”- Azar Nafisi. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the time period of the 1920’s. The 1920’s were a time where people indulged in parties and drinking. Many dreamed of wealth and the higher end of living. Although this dream remained persistent for many Americans during this era, it seemed virtually unattainable unless born into a somewhat wealthy family.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells a story about a wealthy man named Jay Gatsby and his love for a young woman named Daisy Buchanan. Jay uses everything he can to win over the heart of Daisy, Tom’s wife. While in the middle of trying to find ways to get to Daisy, Jay meets a young man named Nick. Nick is a cousin of Daisy’s and also the narrator of The Great Gatsby. Nick takes memories from the past and tries to make them live in the present and future.

THESIS: Fitzgerald's art piece, Great Gatsby contains elements that make it fall into the "romance genre" category, however, it doesn’t. One does not need to get to page fifty to realize that Great Gatsby is all about the thrilling love between Gatsby and Daisy; a narration that makes up the core of the novel, making the novel fit into the romance genre. “In a romance novel, the core story is the developing relationship between a man and a woman. The other events in the story line, though important, are secondary to that relationship”

In “The Great Gatsby”, Jay Gatsby is, to some, a materialistic gangster who makes his money through bootlegging and acts conceited enough to woo Daisy, a married woman. Gatsby’s character is quite questionable due to his mischievous and partially unknown background, some considering him a con artist or even a villainous man. However, the “negative” characteristics of Gatsby are some of the prominent characteristics that classify him as a heroic character. Gatsby not only works his way up to becoming a well-respected man, but he understands the exact purpose of all of his actions, something that is rare in the ignorant, snobbish setting of New York City in the 1950’s. The prominent reason that Gatsby is a hero and is even “worth the whole damn bunch put together” is because he is his own man, one that is pure and kind-hearted from beginning to end (Fitzgerald 160). Jay Gatsby, although on the surface portrayed as a villain, is a hero throughout “The Great Gatsby”, as he has a clear-cut, moral goal in mind that becomes blurred by the actions of others and represents prestige, determination, and the American Dream.

There are many American novels that yield insights into the minds of its characters, but few are as honest or intriguing as Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby is a novel that incorporates many different personalities. These personalities include kind hearted, vulgar, and heartless people. Fitzgerald uses lies and deception to reveal the character's true intentions. In this essay we will uncover the dark secrets of humanity.

Love can make people do crazy things and sometimes nothing can stop them trying to be united with the one they love. Gatsby is a mysterious and wealthy man who throws the most glamorous parties every weekend. Nick, his neighbor finds out many mysterious things out about Gatsby. Nick learns he is from North Dakota, he was in World War 1 and all his money was earned not inherited. Most importantly, as he previously thought Gatsby is in love with Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin. Gatsby fell in love with Daisy when they were young. Gatsby was sent off to war so Daisy moved on and Married Tom Buchanan. Five years down the road Gatsby is still in love with Daisy. Although some things Gatsby does for Daisy is romantic, it can also be considered psychotic and contemplative.