The Not So Great Gatsby Essay Example

had confronted Gatsby earlier, he might have listened and pursued a different path in life. Gatsby possessed qualities of a capable leader such as charisma and thoughtful consideration before taking action, showcasing his potential for greatness. His military background acknowledged his competence as a leader (176). If he had lived longer, he could have achieved similar greatness as James J. Hill and contributed to the country's development. However, when Gatsby believed he could win over Daisy, he pursued her at the expense of unintentionally negatively impacting other lives. Daisy will always remember Gatsby's sacrifice in taking responsibility for Myrtle's death. Nick discovered that achieving the American dream may be unattainable.There are numerous instances where Gatsby can be considered remarkable.In chapter three, we learn about his regular hosting of extravagant parties for strangers.He provides them with food, wine, and temporary enjoyment.Additionally, he purchases an evening gown for a girl he barely knows so she can wear it to these parties.In general, he is a kind-hearted person. Unfortunately, his questionable past prevented him from having a grand funeral with many attendees, apart from his father, Nick, and Owl eyes. From my perspective, he falls short of greatness. While he impacted the lives of many people, it doesn't compare to the profound influence of figures like Einstein or Robinson. Einstein revolutionized modern physics with his groundbreaking book while Robinson permanently changed the game of baseball unlike Gatsby's smaller contributions such as hosting parties - a kind gesture but incomparable to the achievements of Einstein and Robinson.

Another aspect of greatness involves embracing one's past. Throughout the book, it becomes clear that Gatsby has created a fake existence for himself.

In chapter three, in the library with owl eyes, it becomes evident that he hasn't actually read any of his books as they remain untouched. Additionally, he changed his name from Gatz to Gatsby and indulges in extravagant purchases like a swimming pool that he never uses. Almost every aspect of his life is fabricated to embody the persona of Jay Gatsby. This extensive deceit presents him more as a fraudulent character rather than truly great.

It is all an elaborate deception meant to impress a woman whom he will never attain. A genuinely great individual confronts their past, even if it includes negative aspects and comes to terms with itHowever, Jay Gatsby's failure to give up his charade until the very end prevents him from achieving this goal. In addition to lying, one of the main reasons he wanted to marry Daisy was because of her wealth, which I believe is an immoral act. Despite not considering him great, I do view Gatsby as a tragic figure because his sole ambition was to win Daisy and her fortune. He relentlessly pursued the American dream only to realize it would always be out of reach for him. Ultimately, Wilson shoots and kills Gatsby. If he had survived, maybe he could have moved on and accomplished something truly remarkable in his life. While Gatsby does not meet my definition of greatness since he hasn't had a substantial impact on someone's life like others have, there is no denying that he has influenced lives. By being Nick's companion and allowing him to witness his pursuit of the American dream, he changed Nick's life. He also transformed Daisy's life

by loving her and making significant efforts to win her back. However, Daisy's susceptibility to manipulation caused her to disregard their past connection with Gatsby. Yet true exceptionalism requires more than just these actions alone; it demands sustained greatness throughout one's life. Remarkable individuals consistently live up to expectations and contribute significantly towards their exceptional status. Despite fabricating his previous life and disrupting a marriage for personal gain, Jay Gatsby lacks the qualities of a genuinely remarkable manThe question arises as to why Fitzgerald selected the title 'The Great Gatsby'. In my opinion, it is because Nick, the narrator, sees him as great. However, upon completing the novel, I did not think of him as truly great but rather found the title misleading based on conflicting evidence presented by a narrator who perceives him in that way. I believe this is one of the things Fitzgerald intended us to contemplate among others.