Jay Gatsby
A Characterization
James Gatz
Why is Gatsby so obsessed with Daisy?
- used to get what he wants, despite of the circumstances
- During the war Daisy's life went on, but Gatsby's vision of her remained the same
doesn't even sees the option, that Daisy actually loves Tom
acts like he is in "right", although he's trying to steal someone else's wife
- winning Daisy back would make him achieve everything he dreamed of as a young boy
this would proof is attitude, that you can reach everything if you just try hard enough
- can't handle the fact that he isn't in control over Daisy's feelings
- "James Gatz—that was really, or at least legally, his name"
- born around 1890 in a poor family of farmers
- learned good manners on on the yacht of Dan Cody
- changed his name to Jay Gatsby at the age of 17
- met Daisy and fell in love with her
- Daisy is from a wealthy family and thinks he is too
- divided due to WW I
- in 7th division of war; same as Nick, the narrator
- Daisy married Tom Buchanan during war
- as Gatsby learned this he dedicated his life to winning her back
- got into shady business and became rich quickly
What makes Gatsby so 'great'?
How does Gatsby represent the American Dream?
Thanks for listening,
"old sports"!
- this is just implied by the title of the book and Nick's description of the character
just Nick's opinion
- The real question would be:
“Why does Nick Carraway think Gatsby is great?”
- "Gatsby who represents everything for wich I have an unaffected scorn"
it's not his money or extravagance what attracts Nick
- Gatsby has an unbroken spirit and is full of faith for achieving his dreams until the end
- He has an imperturbable optimism; even in the cruel circumstances of 1920's America
- Gatsby superficially lives a perfect rags to riches story
Born poor, has great faith, becomes rich and increased his social status
- The more we learn about Gatsby's background the more suspicious does the American Dream seem
Gatsby was so misled by the American Dream that he ignored moral for quick money
His obsession to achieving his ideal image of himself, resulted in his loss of everything he had
- The fixation on material values, social status etc. is generally criticized, but the faith to work hard for your goals can leed to an fulfilled life
by Lukas Janich, Q11
Sources
- Book "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Character Analysis https://blog.prepscholar.com/jay-gatsby-great-gatsby-character-analysis-quotes
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Gatsby
- Summary https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/character/jay-gatsby/