Aspirations And Greatness F. Scott Fitzgerald s The...

Aspirations and Greatness; The Case of Jay Gatsby Dedication and tenacity are examples of attributes that allow one to accomplish a societal label for effort shown towards attaining goals and dreams. Through his work The Great Gatsby, F.Scott Fitzgerald used the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, to demonstrate the American Dream and greatness. Gatsby was a mysterious character, commonly mistaken as a mere criminal; but actually, he was a victim of his perseverance and the American Dream. Despite his criminal activities, the book portrayed Gatsby as much more than a thug, an individual stopping at nothing to obtain his dream. While Jay Gatsby never fully achieved the American Dream, his marked determination, hope, and love for Daisy earned him the appropriate title, The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby shows the reader that an individual can start at the bottom with only a dream and come out on top with success. Jay Gatsby was not always wealthy and successful. In fact, he was born poor to â€Å"shiftless and unsuccessful farm people† (Fitzgerald, 98). His given name was â€Å"James Gatz†. Longing to be free from his impoverished lifestyle, Gatz ran away from the Midwest family farm to pursue dreams of becoming wealthy. Luck came when Gatz was working on a beach and saw an anchored yacht caught in a storm about to collide with rocks close to shore. Gatz seized this opportunity to create Jay Gatsby, â€Å"When he saw Dan Cody’s yacht drop anchor over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior†¦heShow MoreRelated F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay1411 Words   |  6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby The greatness of an individual can be defined in terms far beyond tangible accomplishments. In F. Scott Fitzgeralds classic American novel, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsbys greatness comes from his need to experience success and his will to achieve his dreams. Nick Carraway narrates the story, and his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, is Gatsbys love. Daisy, however, is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy, arrogant womanizer who despises Gatsby. Gatsby feels theRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of The Great Gatsby 1673 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of The Great Gatsby Dreams are a compelling force in people’s lives. They are what propel them forward each and every day in an effort to reach something better. The American Dream has been sought after by millions all over the world for hundreds of years. This country was founded on the belief that anyone could achieve their dreams. However, in the 1920s these hopes and aspirations began to splinter until they ultimately shattered. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolismRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald2029 Words   |  9 Pagesbecome a dangerous pressure. In The Great Gatsby, the theme of romantic pressure is introduced with Gatsby s fixation of Daisy. The influence of wealth and social status cause distress in relationships. 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In fact, much of Fitzgerald’s most famous work feature plots that closely parallel events from his life (Lathbury 10). For example, his novel This Side of Paradise includes a young man who is rejected by the love of his life on the grounds of his social status. Zelda similarly rejected Fitzgerald for his social status at first. In comparison, it is not surprising that Fitzgerald’s story The Great Gatsby takes place in theRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1683 Words   |  7 PagesEvery parents wants their child to amount to greatness and be the best their child can be. Parents tend to push their children and give them the mindset that through hard work and dedication that child can achie ve anything. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald demonstrates parents lied about hard work and, so he ridicules the high class and lower classes, thus critiquing the American Dream. 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The powerful motivation generated from a vigorous thirst enables one to become a proactive individual, or alternatively drags a person into a sedentary state. The varied consequences of overly desirous people are caused by life s ambiguity. The character of Macbeth, from Shakespeare s classic tragedy, is driven by his impulsive determination to act on his most lustful desires. Likewise in The Great GatsbyRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman By F. Scott Fitzgerald2062 Words   |  9 Pagesdistruction. Both F. Scott Fitzgerald through The Great Gatsby and Arthur Miller through Death of a Salesman use these misshapen dreams and visions of the future to describe their characters, build toward their downfalls or dramatic turning points, and to create a theme of the crushing power of broken dreams. Willy Loman’s dream is the promise that one can make their mark on the world and be successful simply by being well liked. But willy is a man who has failed to live up to his aspirations as a salesmanRead MoreThe American Dream And Its Effects On Society1356 Words   |  6 Pagesface of a declining economy. An economy which disallows parents the security to maintain a job in order to sustain a progressive household. Due to the lack of jobs within the economy as well as the rising costs of living. With people dreams and aspirations each individual daily are deferred. Instead of being able to strive and attain their dreams of wealth, business and abundance; they are left with having to choose between chasing their American dream and basic survival. These individuals are forced