Examples Of Quixotism In The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 20th century something… novel, “The Great `Gatsby,” illustrates the dichotomy/parallels of truth and quixotism in the life of James Gatz, otherwise known as Jay Gatsby. His tumultuous pursuit of what he subjectively considers the “truth” amalgamated with his idealistic notions ultimately contrives a void in his psyche as he is unable to fulfill his quixotic ventures, rendering his soul desolate of purpose and agonizing. Gatsby’s starry-eyed disposition is analogous to planting a single tree and expecting a rainforest to emerge- a rainforest figuratively encompasses the products of his quixotic aspirations, but it would be foolish to expect its advent from a single tree. Additionally, Gatsby anticipates the unadulterated
fulfillment of his quixotic notions, unrealistically. Because of Gatsby’s overly/inordinately chimeric thought, he cultivates and promotes the growth of a prodigious void in his psyche, clouding his judgment and propelling him to make imprudent decisions. Furthermore, his tenacity to pursue Daisy Buchanan’s hand fails to wither, despite the odds that stack against him- it is this very tenacity that contrives a note of cynicism in Gatsby’s character as he approaches his demise. Through the character of Gatsby, F. Scott. Fitzgerald ventures to relay the notion that traversing an idealistic path causes one to discover the despotic nature of truth; moreover, Fitzgerald displays the consequences of idealistic pursuits in one’s life. Juxtaposing the philosophical ideology of realism with idealism, Fitzgerald contrasts the two in an attempt to show the interplay between the two ideologies and the way they can corrupt one’s moral compass.