Why Is The Great Gatsby Great

Jay Gatsby, the main character from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a fascinating character who takes on an interesting persona. Gatsby is so “great” because of his unusual nature of dealing with his lifelong problems and his status in society. Gatsby is a man who has many dreams, just like every other American citizen, but he pursues them to an abnormal extent to which many view him as “great.” Gatsby’s ultimate dream is to rekindle his relationship with Daisy, a girl that he viewed as flawless. Gatsby is also viewed as “great” due to his substantial wealth and his notorious parties. In other words, Gatsby seems to take on the life that all Americans could only wish to have.

Jay Gatsby, being unbelievably persistent and devoted
in everything that he does, allows his simple dreams to devour his lifestyle and control who he is. Although his dreams and aspirations control him, he wishes to better himself and long for the perfect life in the American society. Living in the west egg, Gatsby’s sole purpose of flaunting his wealth through his extravagant parties was to win back his ex-lover Daisy. After analyzing all that Gatsby does to win back Daisy's love, he can only be described as “great.” Gatsby accumulated a new wealth to purchase expensive items to persuade Daisy that he was worth her time. Despite Daisy’s marriage to Tom Buchanan, Gatsby still wishes to win the love of Daisy. Gatsby essentially risks his entire life and puts everything on the line just to be with his dream girl.

Gatsby is also “great” from a broader standpoint and from the average American’s standpoint because of his lavish and upbeat lifestyle. Nick Carraway, one of Gatsby’s neighbors, becomes utterly astonished by Gatsby and adores his wealth. To the average American citizen, Gatsby is the man that every person wants to be. Every American wished to amass a fortune just like Gatsby and live the American Dream that he was living. The problem with all of this was that people were only attracted to his lavish lifestyle and his enormous wealth and not Gatsby as an individual and a person. Despite that, from a citizens point of view, Gatsby was “great” and he invoked a sense of optimism and pride in all people. Gatsby always loved to show off his expensive vehicles and flashy clothing because he wanted to appear as affluent.

Jay Gatsby, whether in a positive or negative way, is quite obviously a “great” character in The Great Gatsby. Some may judge him by the quality of his character and his dreams to be with Daisy, while others may judge him by his wealth and the money he has accumulated. Despite how he is judged as a person, Gatsby does not fail to astonish anyone. Gatsby is nothing short of “great” and his qualities and way of life seem to prove that. Gatsby is someone who embodies the American Dream and the ideals that every citizen at the time wished to embrace. Whether it be his great love or his great wealth, Gatsby sets a name for himself and proves it to be true.