Kacy Stein 4/5/11 English 10A

The Great Gatsby

In F Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby represents a flawed man who nevertheless evokes the readers sympathy. Acquiring his enormous wealth through illegal and dishonest behavior, Gatsby perhaps embodies the most immoral character traits in the novel. Despite these imperfections, Gatsbys humble beginnings and pursuit of the American dream, politeness, and romanticism captu3re the reader's approval and even establish Gatsby as "great." Contrary to other characters in the novel who come from old money, Gatsbys rags-toriches story allows him to appeal to the reader. Rising from a poor Midwestern farmer to an elite Eastern businessman (participle), Gatsby escapes a hopeless life and creates a new name for himself. Gatsby succumbs to the lure of the distorted American dream of the early 1900s, which Fitzgerald depicts as a time of crumbling social and ethical values. Through his pursuit of financial security and happiness, Gatsby associates with the common reader who also shares the same yearnings. To acquire money after returning penniless from the war, Gatsby embarks on an escapade of crime that includes illegally selling alcohol. Although Gatsby appears to be a shady bootlegger who only strives for social status, he makes up for this with his sincerity and loyalty. Therefore, the reader easily looks past his obvious faults and understands why his dreams would push him towards crime. After devoting his life to creating an identity and becoming a wealthy, respected man, Gatsby feels especially degraded when Tom calls him Mr. Nobody from Nowhere (130). The readers can commiserate with Gatsby, as his story truly embodies the American dream and even proves that it is possible to rise from the bottom to the top.

In addition to Gatsbys inspirational perseverance (transition), his perpetual gentlemanliness establishes Gatsby as an object of the readers support. In contrast to the belligerent and bombastic Tom Buchannan, Gatsby behaves as an old-fashioned gentleman and displays excellent manners. Gatsbys polite and amicable nature reveals itself when he befriends Nick, a newcomer with little wealth or social status. Noticing that his new neighbor had moved in, Gatsby sends Nick a personal invitation to one of his extravagant parties, saying that the honor would be entirely Gatsbysif [Nick] would attend his little party that night (41). This polite gesture sheds positive light on Gatsby, and shows the reader that Gatsby does possess concern for others, despite his own extravagant and busy life. Furthermore, (transition) Gatsby extends his politeness to complete strangers, demonstrated when a girl tore[her] gown on a chair at one of his parties. Gatsby not only displays his personal concern by tending to the woman, but also his generosity by asking for her name and address (parallel structure) and inside of a week[sends her] a new evening gown (43) (parallel structure). This eagerness to act chivalrously towards women ultimately leads Gatsby to take responsibility when Daisy accidentally kills Myrtle. Although the consequences could be severe, without hesitation Gatsby asserts, of course Ill say I was [driving] in order to protect Daisy (143). By risking everything for Daisy, Gatsby shows just how far his gentlemanliness extends. Although Gatsbys unwavering romanticism may appear nave, he continues to pursue love throughout the novel. Upon meeting Daisy, Gatsby, an army lieutenant, looked at Daisyin a way that every young girl wants to be looked at and he hoped that he would one day marry her (75). Even when returning from the war to find that Daisy has betrayed their love and married Tom Buchanan, Gatsby remains dedicated to his desires. After that, attaining Daisys love and approval truly drives him to reinvent himself, and he therefore moves to a mansion in New York so that Daisy would be just across the bay (78). Gatsbys devotion to

Daisy transfixes the reader; how can one not sympathize with a man who yearns solely to be with the women he is in love with? In Gatsby's heart, he does not care about wealth, glamour, or social status. Rather, he simply uses these as means to achieve his "incorruptible dream" of marrying Daisy (154). Even though it seems evident that Daisy is 3only in love with feeling adored, Gatsbys devotion appears commendable to the reader. Despite Gatsby's negative reputation, Nick recognizes Gatsbys politeness, perseverance, and romantic ambition. Obtaining wealth dishonestly and living extravagantly does not acquire Gatsby many friends in New York, but despite this, Nick declares Gatsby to be worth the whole damn bunch put together. Nicks father told him, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had, and Gatsby certainly did not have any advantages (1). However, he still achieved a higher social status than Nick, and for this Gatsby epitomizes the aristocracy of merit. Gatsbys merit, the extraordinary gift for hope [and] a romantic readiness rarely found in any other person assuages Gatsbys flaws and make him irresistible to Nick, as well as the reader (2).