Great Gatsby :: essays research papers

The attempt to capture the Ameri shadow dream is central tomany novels. This dream is different for different people, only ifin The Great Gatsby, for Jay, the dream is that throughwealth and power, whiz can acquire happiness. Thishappiness is something for which he must reach into the pastto pay got and for which he must revive an old dream.Jay Gatsby, the central figure of the story, is one characterwho longs for the past. Surprisingly he devotes most of hisadult life nerve-wracking to recapture and, finally, dies in its pursuit.In the past, Jay had a love affair with the bountiful Daisy.Knowing he could not marry her because of the difference intheir complaisant status, he leaves her to amass wealth to reach hereconomic standards. Once he acquires this wealth, hemoves near to Daisy and throws extravagant parties, hopingby chance she might disposition up at one of them. He, himself,does not attend his parties but watches them from adistance. When this dream doesnt happen, h e asks aroundcasually if anyone knows her. Soon he meets NickCarraway, a cousin of Daisy, who agrees to set up ameeting. Gatsbys personal dream symbolizes the largerAmerican dream where all have the opportunity to get whatthey want.Later, as we see in the Plaza Hotel, Jay dormant believes thatDaisy loves him. He is convinced of this as is shown whenhe takes the blame for Myrtles death and then watches andprotects Daisy as she returns home. Jay cannot accept thatthe past is gone and do with. Jay is sure that he cancapture his dream with his wealth and influence. He believesthat he acted for a good beyond his