The Great Gatsby by Fitz Scott Fitzgerald is considered to be one of the greatest American novels, one of the key themes in the book is Gatsby ́s dream and it will be the centre of this term paper. Out of the various approaches to the book, this paper will focus on the character constellation of the protagonist Jay Gatsby and Daisy, the woman with whom he falls in love. How does Gatsby ́s dream develop in connection with his fascination to Daisy? Claiming that, although two people are involved, his dream is only focused on himself, I will try to show, at least to a certain extent, how Gatsby ́s dream has “three basic and related parts: the desire to repeat the past, the desire for money, and the desire for incarnation of ‘unutterable visions’ in the material earth.” (Lockridge, 1968) Since Daisy represents all of these dreams when they meet for the first time, she becomes the personification of his dream, but in the course of the events their paths become separated. Therefore, this term paper will also investigate how Gatsby ́s dream further develops since being separated from Daisy and finally what happens when he meets Daisy again - why does she in the end “[tumble] short of his dreams” (Fitzgerald, 2000)?
Regarding the often discussed issue, whether or not Fitzgerald was writing a myth specifically about America and the American Dream, or whether Gatsby ́s dream can attain a wider relevance, I will not be able to refer to in much detail. The paper will also not discuss the point of narrative, but it is nevertheless crucial to mention that “Gatsby is presented almost entirely through Nick ́s puzzled and often disapproving eyes.” (Parkinson, 1988)
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- MAIN PART
- I. GATSBY'S DREAM BEFORE MEETING DAISY - AN IMAGINARY CONSTRUCT OF HIMSELF
- II. GATSBY MEETS DAISY - DAISY BECOMES THE PERSONIFICATION OF HIS DREAM.
- III. SEPARATED FROM DAISY - GATSBY BUILDING UP A COLOSSAL CONSTRUCT AROUND HER
- IV. THE 'REUNION' - DAISY \"TUMBLES SHORT OF HIS DREAMS\"
- CONCLUSION
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper analyzes the development of Gatsby's dream in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, specifically focusing on the relationship between Gatsby's dream and his fascination with Daisy. The paper aims to demonstrate how Gatsby's dream is primarily self-centered and evolves through his interactions with Daisy. It examines the dream's various components and their significance in shaping Gatsby's pursuit.- Gatsby's Dream Before Meeting Daisy
- The Influence of Daisy on Gatsby's Dream
- Gatsby's Dream After Separation from Daisy
- The Reality of Daisy in Relation to Gatsby's Dream
- The Materialistic Aspect of Gatsby's Dream
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by exploring the origins of Gatsby's dream before his encounter with Daisy. It highlights his childhood fantasies and the desire to create a world separate from his parents. The analysis examines how his schedule reflects his determination to pursue a better life and establishes the self-centered nature of his dream. The chapter then delves into the impact of Daisy on Gatsby's dream. Daisy becomes the personification of Gatsby's idealized vision, embodying his desire for repetition of the past, wealth, and materialization of his aspirations. This section explores how Daisy represents the fulfillment of Gatsby's dream in its initial stages. Further, the paper investigates how Gatsby's dream evolves after being separated from Daisy. It examines the elaborate constructs he builds around her memory and the relentless pursuit of wealth and status as a means to reclaim her. This section reveals the increasing complexity of Gatsby's dream and its transformation into an obsessive pursuit. The final chapter analyzes the reunion of Gatsby and Daisy and its impact on Gatsby's dream. The analysis focuses on the realization that Daisy falls short of his expectations, resulting in disillusionment and ultimately, the tragic downfall of Gatsby. This section explores the ultimate failure of Gatsby's dream and the implications of its unattainable nature.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and focus topics of this term paper are: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, The American Dream, the pursuit of happiness, idealism, materialism, romantic love, the past, the present, unattainable dreams, and the tragedy of Gatsby's dream.- Quote paper
- Janina Gaiser (Author), 2014, The development of Gatsby's dream in connection with his fascination to Daisy. About "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/415671
