Exploring the Greatness of Jay Gatsby: A The Great Gatsby Essay

This essay analyzes the character of Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, focusing on the elements that contribute to his perceived 'greatness'. It explores Gatsby's intense and unwavering will, particularly his obsessive love for Daisy Buchanan, which is viewed as a defining characteristic. The essay highlights his determination in using his wealth and social standing to be near Daisy, contrasting this with the moral failings of her husband, Tom Buchanan. Despite the tragic outcome, the essay emphasizes Gatsby's idealism and optimism, even as the narrator, Nick, views him as flawed. The essay concludes by portraying Gatsby as a tragic hero, driven by love and a desire to overcome adversity to achieve his dreams. The essay also includes cited works that support its arguments.

Running head: THE GREAT GATSBY
THE GREAT GATSBY
Name of the student
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Author note

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The Great Gatsby is recognized to be one of the greatest novels in English literature.
The novel was written by the widely recognized American writer Francis Scott Key
Fitzgerald in the year 1925. The plot of the novel centers on the protagonist Jay Gatsby and
his obsessive passion for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, through an exploration of the themes
of idealism, social upheavals and decadence (Das 6). The essay will further focus on the
character of Jay Gatsby and identify the elements that make his character worthy of being
called ‘great’ in the very title of the novel.
In the opinion of (), the primary factor that contributes to the greatness of Jay
Gatsby’s character is the intensity and magnitude of his will. In this regard, it may be
mentioned that Gatsby’s obsessive passion for Daisy Buchanan, though seemed to be a
product of madness, it depicted the depth of his devotion towards her. In spite of his wealth
and position in the society, Jay Gatsby continued to linger on the feelings and emotions that
he had felt for Daisy before he went to war. After he returned from the war, Gatsby found
that his beloved having lost all hopes for him to return alive had already married Tom
Buchanan (Husniyati 3). However, in spite of how the events turned out to be, Gatsby never
ceased to love Daisy. Had it been a mindless obsession for him, Gatsby may have taken steps
to proclaim his love for Daisy. However, instead of acting upon his emotions and interfering
in the life of his beloved, he simply chose to observe her from a distance.
Along with the intensity and magnitude of his will, another striking feature in the
character of Jay Gatsby is his determination. Everything that Gatsby did, was dedicated in
honor of his love and passion for Daisy Buchanan. This aspect is depicted by how Jay Gatsby
chooses to utilize his wealth and social standing to be close to his beloved (Syahputra 5). Jay
Gatsby utilizes his wealth to build a fascinating bungalow across the river, right opposite to
where Daisy lived with her husband. Furthermore, he utilized his social standing to throw
flashy and grandiose parties with the hope that one day Daisy may choose to join. He did not

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care for his wealth or material pleasures, but utilized them for the sole purpose and hope of
reconciling with his long lost lover.
The sense of commitment depicted by Jay Gatsby is contrasted by the lack of it as
depicted by Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband. Tom Buchanan belonged to the aristocratic
society and maintained multiple affairs with women, chief among which was his relationship
with Myrtle Wilson. Tom Buchanan, throughout the length of his marriage with Daisy, failed
to recognized her worth. However, the bond shared between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan
is more intense, in spite of their separation when Gatsby had to leave because of the war
(Fitzgerald 179). His efforts and passion towards her depict a deep affection and admiration
for the woman he longs to unite with, suggestive of an emotion that is almost idealistic.
However, this idealism of his love leads towards their tragic outcome, highlighting the futility
of such pure emotions in the midst of a severely materialistic society. The narrator of the
novel, Nick view Gatsby as being vulgar and deeply flawed (Fitzgerald 71). However, his
deep sense of ideals and optimism of converting his desires to reality contributes to the
greatness of his character.
Gatsby is viewed as man having a clear vision about his desires and in spite of all the
adversities that he is faced with, he strives to achieve the fulfillment of his dreams. The sole
concern of his being revolves around the reconciliation with his lover Daisy. This aspect in
his character helps him to be portrayed in the light of a tragic hero. Gatsby seems to be aware
of his flaws, and his deep sense of idealism does not allow him to overcome them and take a
step to get closer with Daisy. However, the lover in him propels his actions of utilizing his
power and wealth to be as close to Daisy as possible, without causing any troubles in her life.
He appears to be a more than an ordinary man, enduring several challenges in life, breaking
out of the shackles of poverty and climbing up the social ladder with the sole purpose of
reconciling with his lover.

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Works Cited
Das, Shusil Kumar. "Money And Love In The Novels Of F. Scott Fitzgerald." (2016).
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The great gatsby. Broadview Press, 2007.
Husniyati, Ita. "Inferiority Complex in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby." Litera~
Kultura 7.4 (2019).
Syahputra, Richie Adi. Jay Gatsby’s Love Struggle In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Greatgatsby.
Diss. Diponegoro University, 2018.