The "GREAT" Gatsby

As many different themes arise from the outstanding novel, The Great Gatsby, they all work collectively to pick apart James Gatz. Themes of class, love, wealth, and memories all play a prominent role in doing so. They show how Gatsby is not as great as we may think.

In an excerpt of the text it says, “Did you see any trouble on the road?” he asked after a minute. “Yes.” He hesitated. “Was he killed?” “Yes.” “I thought so; I told Daisy I thought so. It’s better that the shocks should all come at once. She stood it pretty well.” He spoke as if Daisy’s reaction was the only thing that mattered. “Who was the woman?” he inquired. “Her name was Wilson. Her husband owns the garage. How the devil did it happen?” “Well, I tried to swing the wheel --” He broke off, and suddenly I guess at the truth. “Was Daisy driving?” “Yes,” he said after a moment, “but of course I’ll say I was” (Fitzgerald 143).

This passage was striking to me as it opened my eyes to the character of Gatsby. Gatsby takes the blame for the love of his life. Because he cannot see anything past Daisy he does not care about the consequences that may affect him. When Gatsby takes the blame for the death, he is not penalized because of his class. He still lives luxuriously due to his wealth; he is still doing everything out of love for Daisy, while trying to repeat the past. This page made me think differently about Gatsby since it is narrated through Nick. I respect how he would do anything for the girl he loves. He stayed loving Daisy and only her for a boundless period of time. He stayed loyal to the girl he did not have, which was the only problem. He needed to understand that in this situation he could not be with her since the time had shifted. He came to his senses when Gatsby saw Daisy’s child. He then knew that he could not be with her and he was Jay momentarily. Him going out of his way to pursue a woman who is married through many different ways just shows that he is deranged. But love is a power that can overcome the toughest of men, the strongest of hate, and the coldest of hearts. Throwing extravagant parties to show off the wealth he acquired did not seem to change Daisy and her willingness to go back. She was at the point of no return.



Daisy herself was in a relationship that was not perfect. Much adultery was involved for a temporary sensation. Everything was a temporary sensation during that time. The use of speed for pleasure. The use of money for pleasure. The use of sex for pleasure. In the end the pleasure is gone. It is a moment in time that can not be reversed. It is a memory that may be held in your mind but never grasped in your hand. The only difference is Gatsby is so delusional about replaying time, he does not understand he can never go back. Daisy drove off and never came back. If the love was real Daisy would come back or at least care. Pick the petals off of the flower and you will realize what the real beauty of a Daisy is. It is worthless. After taking away the beauty what is left? Daisy is the character that seems like the villain in my point of view. She took the most important part of a person and never gave it back: the heart. Gatsby is lost and without his heart he is worthless. I do not know if I should respect, hate, or feel sorrow for Gatsby. He is not great and he is not James. He is gone to the point of no return. In the end Gatsby is just a memory stuck in time.