Great Gatsby - Characterization

Great Gatsby - Characterization

Two Minds; One Great Dream

The past cannot be repeated, and the future cannot be seen. Jay Gatsby however, believes that one can bring the past back to the present, and that one can achieve the futuristic goal one puts themselves to. In “The Great Gatsby”, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows that the American Dream is chased by many but barely achieved and sustained by some through the use of characterization. “The Great Gatsby” takes place in the roaring 1920’s-Jazz Age-within West Egg, the less fashionable side of Long Island, and East Egg, the fashionable side. Nick Carraway, the narrator, rents a home next to Jay Gatsby after coming back from World War I. Here, he views the life of Gatsby, as well as the characters that unfold as the plot goes forward. Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s desire to have, lives on East Egg with her husband Tom Buchanan, where Gatsby views the green light on the dock of their home. This green light is the American Dream Gatsby is going for, in which he believes in it, and Nick remains neutral about it and doesn’t think Gatsby can attain it; and if he does, nevertheless can he sustain it. With the determination to abide to his dream, Gatsby is faced with many obstacles that get in his way. Nick sees this from the very start, but is pushed into the mess of helping Gatsby achieve his American Dream.
In Gatsby’s mind, he believes that the American Dream is a reality, and that the past can be repeated to achieve it-of being with Daisy-after nearly 5 years-but his hope is denied in the end and he is even face-to-face with death. Gatsby tells Nick, who does not believe in the repeating of the past, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (116). Gatsby believes that he can go back into the past with Daisy, and live the life that they lived before she met Tom Buchanan. His American Dream with Daisy is mainly to be with her once again, marry her, and love her to the extent that Tom Buchanan has filled the void Gatsby left. If...