“The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald is an accurate representation on how life is lived in the 1920’s. Gatsby was an upper class very wealthy man. He lived in West Egg New York where the new money was and where the more wealthy people lived. Not a very outgoing man or person yet he threw parties every chance they had. He had gotten his wealth by bootlegging. This was selling alcohol during the 1920s when drinking was against the law. Gatsby displays positive and negative qualities such as profound discipline, an outstanding work ethic, but the issue of letting things go.
Gatsby is “great” because he lives the American dream. He doesn’t necessarily achieve it, but in a materialistic way he does. As Gatsby grew up, he attempted to achieve wealth, and later in his life he strived to rekindle his one true love; he achieved this through discipline. Gatsby worked hard to improve his future. Despite Gatsby being “a penniless young man without a past”, he still created a good life for himself, due to his work ethic. (149). Gatsby created a schedule for himself, and even provided himself with a method to save money each week. According to his father, “Jimmy was [always] bound to get ahead” (173).
After Gatsby gained wealth and success, he began hosting huge parties, but not for the reason you would think. He was throwing them for the hope Daisy would show up to one. Although he did not receive the solution that he longed for, he continued to host the parties. At these parties Gatsby would not talk to many people, because his mind was set on his true love Daisy, and he wouldn’t stop throwing them until she came. Gatsby’s parties were very popular, but many times people “came [to the party] and went without [even meeting] Gatsby” (41). Gatsby did not care for anyone at these parties unless it was Daisy, so he did not commonly socialize.
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Therefore, he maintained a strong self-discipline by not talking with other women. However, with his friend Nick’s help Gatsby soon achieves his goal when he starts to have an affair with Daisy, who is married to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby and Tom do not get along with each other due to Gastby’s past with Daisy, yet they try to avoid conflict and tensions. Gatsby attempts to continue his affair with Daisy without Tom finding out. After losing his relationship with Daisy years prior, “[Gatsby’s] life had been confused and disorder, but he could return by starting over slowly” with his second chance at love with Daisy (110).
Gatsby had gotten so caught up and accustomed to the wealthy lifestyle that money and immediate pleasures become more important than being with Daisy. And for this reason Gatsby wasn’t on the right road to get to Daisy. However, Jay Gatsby had a fierce passion for success, just like the “green light that burns all night” (92). This was that fire that kept burning inside of him which made sure he never gave up until he got what he wanted. Although Jay Gatsby’s life ended early, he still achieved great success. Gatsby knew he wasn’t great as he didn’t deserve all of his success, yet he still tried to satisfy himself, as the life he created was an illusion.
Gatsby’s rise from rags to riches made him great, but his whole dream came to an end quicker than was expected. Which makes the title “Great Gatsby” very ironic because although he had everything someone could ask for but he had to wait many years for his true love and was brutally shot because of a complete misunderstanding.
