Analysis of The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald’s character Jay Gatsby, in The Great Gatsby, is a naive, lovesick young man that is sucked in by his dream of wealth. Gatsby is naive in the fact that he believes himself to be in love with Daisy when in reality he is only infatuated with her because of her wealth and status and what both of these would mean to his overall status.
Gatsby is hardworking and loyal to a fault, which reflects upon his innocence, but the worst of Gatsby’s characteristics is that he lives in his own little world where he believes that Daisy loves him, and that he himself loves Daisy.This is far from the truth, however, in the fact that Gatsby only believes that he is in love with Daisy due to the fact that she represents his hopes (by her association with the green light—the symbol of hope in the book) and dreams, and his belief that when he has her he will achieve his goal. In the process of this, he may have actually convinced himself that he does love her. Daisy, on the other hand, loves no one but herself. She is interested in Gatsby when they are reunited only because he was rich, as can be seen in the scene with her crying over the shirts.
Also you can read Claudia Valentine Character AnalysisThis indifference from Daisy makes Gatsby all the more pitiful. Gatsby’s overall character is not at all how he is at first perceived. At first he was illustrated as an Oxford educated person who threw extravagant parties because he was extremely wealthy. He was considered a mysterious person because no one knew about his past and how he had come about to his fortune. Eventually though, we learn just how he made his fortune (through illegal means) and about his past (he was ambitious even then) and he is a mystery no longer.
Another big change in Gatsby’s character in the novel is the fact that in the beginning of the novel Gatsby does not reveal much, if any, of his emotions. But as the story progresses, he is revealed to be very emotional indeed, and he shows his love in many ways and in many situations: first through his interaction with Daisy on their reunion, and again when he takes responsibility for her rash actions. In this book, the author, Fitzgerald, established hidden traits in Gatsby that were revealed as the story progressed. Through his love of Daisy, his true personality shines through, revealing him to be the sweet, loyal, delusional, lovesick ool that he is. During his first encounter with Daisy in five years, he finally becomes a person who expresses his feelings.
This is the first scene in the book where Gatsby actually acts like a “normal person” and shows his emotions. “There was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed; without a word or gesture or exultation a new well-being radiated from him and filled the little room” (Fitzgerald 89) When Daisy kills Myrtle by running her over, Gatsby never even thinks twice, he automatically accepts blame and responsibility motivated by his love and his loyalty to her. “’Was Daisy driving? ‘Yes,’ he said after a moment, ‘but of course I’ll say I was…’” (Fitzgerald 143) When Gatsby worries over Daisy and how Tom may hurt her for killing his lover.
Gatsby is being delusional when he watches out for her because she doesn’t need him and is actually very happy talking to Tom. “’I’m just going to wait here and see if he tries to bother her about that unpleasantness this afternoon…’”…”’How long are you going to wait? ’” “’All night, if necessary…’” (Fitzgerald 144) This scene is the most pitiful scenes in the entire book due to the fact that, this time, no one will play with him in his land of make believe.And Daisy will never come back to him ever again. Thus Jay Gatsby is a character who is so naive and innocent that he does himself in. it is his good heart and his loyalty that causes him to be taken advantage of. It was his trusting heart that condemned him and insured his death.
Basically Jay Gatsby would be better off if he was really like the image he had created for himself when he threw his parties, instead of the soft-hearted man that he is.
