Plot Analysis

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," set in 1920s America, we witness Jay Gatsby's
fervent pursuit to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby, a romantic idealist, dedicates
five years of his life to this endeavor, embodying the American Dream by showcasing his self-
made wealth. However, his relentless pursuit of Daisy, fueled by idealism and romance,
ultimately leads to the deterioration of their relationship and Gatsby's tragic demise. Fitzgerald's
narrative style and choice of language draw readers into Gatsby's journey, where we witness
the destructive consequences of his idealism and romanticism.

Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby's extreme efforts to win Daisy's affection, which ultimately
undermines their relationship. Gatsby's extravagant lifestyle, including his mansion and illegal
activities, is a facade aimed at impressing Daisy. He goes to great lengths, even throwing lavish
parties, in hopes of attracting her attention. Despite his relentless pursuit, readers can't help but
pity Gatsby for sacrificing everything to win Daisy back. Gatsby has completely reinvented
himself in his quest for love. “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people —
his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all. The truth was that
Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself. He
was a son of God… So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old
boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end.”

Discovering that Gatsby has abandoned his true identity and even disowned his parents is
deeply saddening. It shows his profound insecurity and sense of shame.Despite originating from
a humble background in the West, Gatsby's previous financial status wasn't enough to win
Daisy's heart. Fitzgerald's repetition of 'conception' and 'invent(ed)' emphasizes that the Gatsby
we see is just a projection, a carefully crafted persona. However, Nick Carraway's biased
narration prevents us from condemning Gatsby; instead, we feel sympathy for his desperate
attempt to win Daisy's love. Gatsby's new image tries to compensate for his old self, even
making him feel godlike. But despite his facade, Daisy can't forget the poor man he once was,
further damaging their relationship.

Gatsby's inability to face reality and his idealism are additional flaws that harm his relationship
with Daisy. While being a dreamer can sometimes be seen as positive, for Gatsby, it's a
weakness because he can't let go of his unrealistic dreams. Over five years, Gatsby has built up
a perfect, idealized image of Daisy in his mind. However, this idealized version of Daisy doesn't
match reality, leading to disappointment and further strain on their relationship.

“There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his
dreams — not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It
had gone beyond her, beyond everything.”

Fitzgerald makes it clear that Daisy isn't to blame for Gatsby's disappointment; it's his own
shattered illusion. Gatsby's dream of being with Daisy will never come true, even if he doesn't
realize it himself. He imagined a life with Daisy, including marriage and children, so he struggles
to accept that she has moved on. When Gatsby asks about Daisy's daughter, he does so weakly
and with confusion, showing he hadn't considered Daisy moving on, let alone having a family
with someone else. Like many characters in the novel, Gatsby is dissatisfied and disillusioned,
leading to the destruction of his relationship with Daisy.
Gatsby’s idealism often leaves him clinging to the past for dreams of the future, and his refusal
to accept that Daisy has moved on from their time in Louisville adds to the decay of his
relationship with Daisy. The significance of the past is clarified in the conclusion of the novel:
“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.
It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms
farther… And one fine morning — So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back
ceaselessly into the past.”
Nick emphasizes the struggle be
tween the past and future, symbolized by the green light. People strive to achieve their goals by
either transcending or reliving the past. However, they often get stuck in the past, unable to move
forward. The metaphor of rowing against the current towards the green light illustrates this.
Despite their optimism, they exhaust themselves chasing a goal that keeps slipping away. This
metaphor applies to both Gatsby and the American Dream. While Gatsby keeps striving, Daisy
has moved on, leading to the decline of their relationship.

Nick highlights the conflict between the past and future, shown by the green light. People try to
reach their goals by either moving beyond or dwelling on the past. But often, they're stuck in the
past, unable to move forward. The metaphor of rowing against the current toward the green light
captures this struggle. Despite their hope, they tire themselves out chasing a goal that gets farther
away. This applies to both Gatsby and the American Dream. While Gatsby keeps pushing
forward, Daisy has moved on, causing their relationship to deteriorate.

Themes
Main Ideas Themes

"The Great Gatsby" explores the theme of the dangers of wealth and greed through its portrayal
of two types of the rich: New Money and Old Money, as well as through Gatsby's rise and fall in
power and wealth. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the characters and events in the novel to convey a
message about the negative consequences of pursuing wealth and success without regard for
moral values or genuine human connections.
In "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby represents the New Money, a newly wealthy generation who
attained riches from the booming economy without a rich family background. Gatsby's pursuit of
Daisy Buchanan, driven by his desire for love and fueled by his newfound wealth, exemplifies
the theme of the dangers of greed. Despite his humble origins, Gatsby becomes consumed by the
pursuit of Daisy, using his wealth to try to win her affection. This greed ultimately leads him to
prioritize his desire for Daisy above all else, even to the detriment of his own well-being and
rational thinking. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby's story to convey a message about the negative
consequences of pursuing love and success solely for material gain.
In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the theme of the corrupting influence of
money through the characters of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. As representatives of old money,
they exemplify how wealth can numb one's sense of compassion and responsibility towards
others. Tom's extramarital affairs and mistreatment of his mistresses, as well as the couple's
reaction to Myrtle Wilson's death, highlight their callous disregard for the consequences of their
actions. They use their wealth to escape from their problems, moving to a new city whenever
trouble arises. Fitzgerald uses Tom and Daisy's behavior to illustrate how money can lead to
moral decay and a lack of empathy.
In "The Great Gatsby," money is depicted as a powerful force that dominates society, keeping
the rich insulated from the consequences of their actions. The stark divide between the opulent
world of West and East Egg and the desolate Valley of Ash underscores this theme. Gatsby's
ability to evade consequences by using his wealth, such as bribing a police officer with a simple
flash of cash, highlights the extent to which money controls the world. This demonstrates that in
a society where money reigns supreme, those with wealth hold immense power and influence,
often exempt from the rules that govern others.

The American Dream

"I would like to discuss one of the most popular themes of The Great Gatsby: the American
dream. While it is commonly believed that the novel is about the American dream, I argue that
Jay Gatsby was not pursuing this dream at all. Throughout the rest of this discussion, I will
provide evidence from the text to support my argument.

the concept of the American Dream and presents three different definitions of it. Despite the
differences in wording, the common thread among these definitions is that the American Dream
is an aspiration that anyone can achieve, regardless of their background. The American Dream is
essentially about living a good, successful, happy, and fulfilling life, although these terms are
subjective and depend on individual values.
In essence, the American Dream embodies the idea of equal opportunity and the potential for
each individual to achieve personal fulfillment through hard work. While often associated with
material prosperity and wealth, the novel "The Great Gatsby" challenges this notion by depicting
Jay Gatsby's attainment of wealth as ultimately hollow and unfulfilling. Gatsby's tragic end
suggests that true happiness cannot be bought with money alone, prompting the question of
whether he was truly pursuing the American Dream or something else entirely. Thus, reducing
the novel solely to a commentary on the American Dream overlooks the complexity of Gatsby's
character and his pursuit of happiness.
Gatsby's motivations in "The Great Gatsby" stem from a desire for transcendence and the
reversal of deterministic circumstances, rather than material gain. He seeks to attain a utopian
ideal that includes aspects such as old money pedigree, association with European aristocracy,
and changing Daisy's values. However, Gatsby's pursuit of these ideals proves futile due to the
inherent barriers posed by his background and circumstances. The irony lies in the fact that while
the American Dream of hard work and success is achievable, Gatsby's aspirations extend beyond
the realm of possibility, leading to his tragic demise.
In "The Great Gatsby," Gatsby's attempts to impress Nick Carraway with his origins reveal his
longing for a social identity beyond his actual background. Despite his wealth and ostentatious
displays, Gatsby fabricates a backstory that aligns with old money America and British
aristocratic associations. However, this attempt only highlights his parochial ignorance and
underscores his desire for circumstances of birth beyond individual agency. Gatsby's pursuit of
an identity rooted in privilege and pedigree reflects his longing for transcendence beyond the
confines of the American Dream, emphasizing the theme of social stratification and the
limitations of social mobility.
Gatsby's mansion symbolizes his pursuit of a dream that diverges from the traditional American
Dream of domestic warmth and stability. While the American Dream emphasizes owning a
house and forming a nuclear family, Gatsby designs his mansion not for personal enjoyment, but
as a space for entertaining others. Similarly, Gatsby's desire for Daisy isn't rooted in traditional
notions of marriage and family; instead, he idealizes her as an unattainable goddess-like figure,
desiring her precisely because he knows he can never truly possess her. This relentless pursuit of
the unattainable lies at the heart of Gatsby's desires.
Gatsby's mansion symbolizes his pursuit of a dream that diverges from the traditional American
Dream. He fills his extravagant home with interesting people and lavish parties, but his own
presence is notably absent. This reflects Gatsby's spiritual void, as material wealth cannot
remedy his inner emptiness. Despite his rapid accumulation of wealth, Gatsby is contemptuous
of the idea of working hard for it, preferring inherited wealth. The mansion, filled with guests but
lacking Gatsby's presence, highlights the tragic irony of his situation. It's not a home for a
comfortable dwelling but rather a gaudy showpiece, removed from the wholesome ideals of the
American Dream. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy and his desire for an unattainable ideal suggests that
he was never truly after the American Dream.

The Green Light

The green light in "The Great Gatsby" symbolizes multiple concepts throughout the novel.
Initially, it represents Gatsby's enduring love for Daisy, as he gazes at it across the lake from his
mansion. This love is intertwined with his pursuit of wealth and the American Dream. Gatsby's
fortune, represented by the green light, becomes a means to win Daisy back from her husband,
Tom, who represents old money and entrenched social status.

However, the green light also embodies the hollowness of the American Dream. Despite
Gatsby's rise from humble beginnings to New York society, he remains excluded from the upper
class, emphasizing the limitations of social mobility. The novel's tragic conclusion, with Gatsby's
death and the survival of the wealthy characters, underscores this theme. Fitzgerald's portrayal
suggests that while the American Dream promises opportunity and upward mobility, it ultimately
eludes those from lower classes, reinforcing existing class structures.

In essence, the green light encapsulates Gatsby's aspirations, his pursuit of love and wealth, and
the disillusionment with the American Dream's unfulfilled promises, highlighting the novel's
themes of love, wealth, and social class.

The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

The big billboard with the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg is like a giant watchman looking over
the valley of ashes in "The Great Gatsby." Some people think it's like God watching and judging
everyone, but the book doesn't say that directly. Instead, it suggests that symbols only mean
something because people give them meaning. The guy who really sees the eyes as God is
George Wilson, who's super upset about his wife Myrtle getting killed. This uncertainty about
what the eyes really mean makes them even creepier.

The eyes also show how the world doesn't really have a set meaning, and how people just make
stuff up in their heads to make sense of things. Nick talks about this in Chapter 8, saying Gatsby
probably realized that symbols and dreams don't really mean much in the end. It's like, what's the
point of trying so hard for something if it's all just made up anyway?

Allusions
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," the use of allusions serves to enrich the themes and
motifs of the novel, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Figures like Midas, Morgan,
and Mæcenas symbolize wealth and financial power, reflecting the aspirations of characters like
Gatsby who seek to attain similar status and success. The allusion to Columbus and the Egg
suggests themes of innovation and achieving the impossible, paralleling Gatsby's relentless
pursuit of the American Dream. Kaiser Wilhelm II's mention highlights the influence of
European royalty on American society and the lingering legacy of World War I, providing
historical context for the characters' experiences. The reference to the Ziegfeld Follies
underscores the glamour and allure of the Jazz Age entertainment scene, emphasizing the theme
of spectacle and illusion. Lastly, Arnold Rothstein's mention symbolizes corruption and moral
decay in society, foreshadowing the darker aspects of the American Dream and the characters'
moral struggles. Through these allusions, Fitzgerald deepens the thematic resonance of the novel,
offering insight into the complexities of wealth, ambition, and morality in 1920s America.

Point of View
The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick in first-person limited perspective. This means that Nick
describes events as he experienced them and uses the word “I”. He does not know what other
characters are thinking unless they tell him. Although Nick is the narrator of the book, he is not a
central figure in the events of the story, except that he facilitates the meeting of Daisy and
Gatsby. He mostly remains an observer of the events around him and disappears into the
background when it comes time to narrate crucial meetings between Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy.
The reliability of a narrator in a first-person narration is always a key question for the reader. The
narrator will almost always be unreliable in some way due to personal biases. Some narrators
deliberately lie to the reader, known as "unreliable narrators." Nick Carraway in "The Great
Gatsby" is not a classically unreliable narrator, but his need to describe himself as honest raises
questions about his reliability.
Nick's biased view of the story makes him an unreliable narrator. Nick sees Gatsby as a symbol
of hope and tends to side with him, which makes us question his representation of Gatsby and
Daisy's characters. His personal feelings for the characters also affect his presentation of events,
and he justifies the less appealing aspects of Gatsby's character as romantic lengths to be reunited
with Daisy.

Foreshadowing
Fitzgerald uses foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby to create a sense of tragic inevitability and
false foreshadowing to reverse expectations, emphasizing that no character can escape their
predetermined role in life.
Daisy’s unattainability

Gatsby's outstretched arms towards the insubstantial green light, which is far away, foreshadows
his quest for something ephemeral. The inaccessibility of the green light hints at a narrative in
which the object of desire will never be obtained, just like Gatsby's inability to fully attain Daisy
despite being reunited with her.
.Gatsby’s fate

At the beginning of The Great Gatsby, Nick implies that Gatsby will have a happy ending.
However, it is only after finishing the book that the true meaning of his words becomes clear.
Gatsby dies at the end of the novel, which is a surprise to the reader who may have thought he
would end up with Daisy. Upon re-reading the passage, we understand that Gatsby turns out to
be a hero rather than a villain of the story. In the second part of the quotation, Nick tells us that
the story will end sorrowfully and will have a lasting negative impact on him, which also turns
out to be true.

Characters List
through Nick’s eyes; his thoughts and perceptions shape and color the story.

Jay Gatsby
And so we have a sort of natural attraction to wealth, power, youth, and beauty. That's what
draws a lot of people next door to the lavish parties that Gatsby throws. But to really understand
who Jay Gatsby is, I think it's important to think about two primary emotions: shame and grief.

The shame part of Gatsby is that he's a boy from a small town in North Dakota. He talks about
this at some point in the middle of the novel. We learn that he is ashamed of his lower-class
upbringing. His parents were sort of shiftless farm workers, not very successful. Gatsby is
described sort of as a self-made man. From the shame, he starts to create a persona. He changes
his name, he leaves his house for the army, and creates a persona of himself moving against, as a
reaction to the shame.

It is important to see the difference between emotions of shame versus guilt. Guilt is a feeling
that people feel when they feel that they have done something wrong, some kind of action they
have broken some kind of moral rule or law that might get them in trouble. Shame is something
more fundamental. It is a feeling about the self, a feeling that the self is wrong or damaged. To
understand Gatsby, you have to see the way he reacts against the shame of those lower-class
upbringings. And he does it in these exaggerated, lavish displays of wealth and ostentation.

When he first meets Daisy, he doesn't feel that he's going to be good enough or make enough of
a living to support her or to woo her away for the marriage. And so, that kind of explains the
drive behind the lavish displays of wealth. It's what psychologists would call the reaction
formation against the shame of being poor.

When it comes to feelings of shame, there is something about yourself that is fundamental. You
worry about what people see, think of you, or how they react to you. That's why the eyes become
a powerful symbol in The Great Gatsby. It's this notion of who's watching, who's looking out
over, who's seeing you. Not for the actions that you do, because the characters are relatively
without guilt about their actions, but they are very afraid of being seen and the negative things
about them being seen.

Another primary emotion important to understand with him is that of grief. You look at Gatsby
showing this sort of complicated grief reaction about his loss of Daisy and their engagement.
When he went off to the war, she left, and they met briefly before he deployed. He didn't come
back in time, and she left him. And what happens in distorted grief reactions? Time sort of stops,
or people try to recapture lost time. It's something that's talked about very heavily in the novel.
Why it's such an important theme is time stopping, trying to get back to a certain time. Gatsby is
really trying to reclaim that lost era. In fact, there is a scene when he meets Daisy for the first
time after so many years that he almost knocks the clock on the mantel. It's almost as if he wants
the time to stop back to that time when they were 17 when they met.
With distorted grief reactions, you see people get stuck. They can't move forward in their life.
They obsess and ruminate and become depressed and really try to recapture something that was
lost in their life. And there is an idealization that goes with it. The idealization of Daisy and who
she was and the inability to see flaws and flaws in their relationship. And so he's stuck on this
ideal image, that green light floating across the deck that he's looking out for, reaching towards.
But the more he tries to get back to that time, he can't recapture, he can't rebuild the life that once
was. And so he's stuck not being able to go to the past and recreate that life, but stuck not being
able to move forward either. And that's where the great tragedy comes.Characters
Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway serves as the narrator in "The Great Gatsby," offering sardonic and witty
commentary on Jay Gatsby, the Buchanans, and their relationships. He is Daisy Buchanan's
cousin, Tom Buchanan's former classmate at Yale, Jay Gatsby's neighbor in West Egg, and once
had a romantic interest in Jordan Baker..
Nick is the central character in "The Great Gatsby," connecting all the others. Some readers
believe he reflects F. Scott Fitzgerald's cynicism about the excesses of 1920s America. Nick
often criticizes the people and culture around him, but he admires Jay Gatsby.

Nick's feelings towards Gatsby are mixed, shifting from disdainful to sympathetic. He's often
seen as the only morally upright character, providing a clear-eyed perspective on the shallow and
corrupt world around him. This suggests he's a reliable narrator.
In this analysis , however, I am going to argue against this view. Rather than being a morally
upright and somewhat reliable narrator, Nick shows us that he is, in fact, just like the rest of the
characters, possessed of the same human flaws and dark desires. We see this in Tom, Daisy,
Jordan, Gatsby, etc. Nick may be more honest in nature without moments when he lapses in the
face of outward temptation and inner prejudices, which necessarily compromises reliability.

Nick isn't a reliable narrator in any objective sense, but because he is acutely aware of his
humanity and never takes himself too seriously, he comes across as effective and likable as a
narrator. At the start of chapter one, Nick gives his readers a caveat about the limits of his
empathy. Despite advice and awareness to the contrary, Nick just cannot help but be judgmental
towards some people, especially when, quote, "as my father snobbishly suggested, and I
snobbishly repeat, a sense of the fundamental decency is parceled out unequally at birth."

This prepares us for a series of critical evaluations of some of the less-than-decent characters.
But hey, that's what comes with blunt honesty. Nick tells us later "I am one of the few honest
people I have ever known." However, Nick never really comes across as moralistic or self-
righteous because he fully accepts that he or his judgment isn't perfect, as I'll go on to illustrate
with other moments.

In Chapter One, Nick acknowledges his subjective feelings, not just his dislike for characters like
the Buchanans, but also his unexplained fondness for Gatsby. This shows that Nick is drawn to
Gatsby's charm and charisma, despite Gatsby embodying everything Nick typically disapproves
of.

It's worth considering if Gatsby, in reality, would seem so alluring a character had it not been for
the somewhat rose-tinted filtering of Nick's narration. Is Gatsby really such a class apart from the
rotten crowd, or does Nick only think so because he actually likes Gatsby? After all, in some
ways, Gatsby is just as materialistic, shallow, and morally compromised. He likes Daisy because
of her wealth and background, hosts extravagant parties, and believes that this will buy him
respect, which is of course delusional. He deals in shady businesses like stolen bonds.

What's interesting is that Nick acknowledges, in fact, alerts us to the fact that he himself has
fallen to the charm of this man. So the implication is that his portrayal of Gatsby will be
romanticized, maybe even a bit hero-wise, and as such, unreliable. One example that reflects
Nick's impulse to paint Gatsby favorably comes in chapter six when he disrupts the narrative's
chronological sequence by bringing forward the Dan Cody backstory about how Gatsby got his
first big break.

Gatsby told me all this very much later, but I put it down here with the idea of exploding
those first wild rumors about his antecedents which weren't even faintly true. We later find
out in chapter eight that Gatsby doesn't come clean about his combo origins and Dan Cody's
patronage until after Tom exposes his shady business dealings and their hotel exchange about
Daisy's allegiance at the Plaza Hotel. Had Nick told us at this point when Gatsby had shared this
backstory instead of keeping it vague with "very much later," our impression of Gatsby as a
dishonest, cagey character would have crystallized at this point in the narrative. Nick Carraway
is portrayed as a character who has a keen sense of observation and understanding of the people
and events around him. He often exhibits a sardonic and cynical tone, but he can also be witty
and incredulous. Unlike other characters who may be confused or deluded, Nick possesses a
better sense of what's going on. He teases Daisy, rebuffs Tom, and highlights the hypocrisy of
characters like Myrtle Wilson and Jordan Baker. Nick is likable despite his contempt for many
things and people because he also makes fun of his own shortcomings. While he criticizes the
superficiality of others, he admits to enjoying the lavish parties and creature comforts associated
with wealth.

Nick is aware of his occasional awkwardness, which adds humor to the narrative. He
acknowledges feeling out of place during emotional moments, such as when he sets up Gatsby
and Daisy's meeting. Despite his disdain for superficiality, Nick is not above desiring wealth and
luxury himself. He is introspective, recognizing his own flaws and vulnerabilities.

In the final chapter, Nick reflects on his Midwestern upbringing and the deficiencies he shares
with other characters. He acknowledges his own social unadaptability to Eastern life, realizing
that no amount of money can erase his Midwestern roots. Despite his exposure to the glitz and
glam of the East, Nick's narrative lens remains distorted by subjectivity.

Overall, Nick Carraway is a complex character who provides insight into the flaws and
contradictions of the society depicted in "The Great Gatsby."
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" symbolizes the idealized beauty and charm of the 1920s
upper class. However, beneath her allure, she is a complex and ambiguous character. Daisy
struggles with conflicting desires for stability and passion, torn between her marriage to Tom
Buchanan and her feelings for Jay Gatsby. Her passivity and moral ambiguity add depth to her
character as she navigates societal expectations and inner turmoil. Ultimately, Daisy is a tragic
figure, trapped in a loveless marriage and unable to find true fulfillment despite her wealth and
privilege. Her character embodies themes of appearance versus reality, desire versus obligation,
and the pursuit of happiness in the Jazz Age society depicted in the novel.

Tom Buchanan
Tom Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" epitomizes the arrogance and entitlement of the wealthy
elite in 1920s America. As Daisy's husband, he represents old money and possesses immense
wealth and social status. However, he is morally bankrupt, displaying racism, sexism, and
disdain for those he deems inferior. His extramarital affairs and abusive behavior reveal his
selfishness and lack of empathy. Despite his privileged position, Tom is insecure and fearful of
losing his status, leading him to lash out against perceived threats like Gatsby. Overall, Tom
symbolizes the moral decay and corruption of the wealthy elite, showcasing the emptiness and
moral bankruptcy often associated with material wealth and social privilege.
Jordan Baker
Myrtle Wilson
Jordan Baker in "The Great Gatsby" embodies the shifting societal norms and
moral ambiguity of the Jazz Age. She represents independence and defiance of
traditional gender roles but also embodies dishonesty and cynicism. Her
detachment from events reflects the superficiality of the wealthy elite, and her
relationship with Nick Carraway highlights the fleeting nature of connections in
that society.

Myrtle Wilson epitomizes the aspirations and disillusionment of the lower class
during the Jazz Age. Desperate for a better life, she has an affair with Tom
Buchanan, hoping to enter the upper class. However, her pursuit leads to despair
and ultimately her tragic death, symbolizing the emptiness of the American Dream
and the social divisions of the time.