Why Did Gatsby Lose His Future

Words: 1179
Pages: 5
Open Document
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”(9.149-153)While time itself can only flow in a single direction,One force, regret, transcends this natural phenomenon. After returning from the horrors of the first world war, the titled character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, struggles to regain his sense of purpose and belonging in the emerging new age of American culture. Misguided by past experiences and longings, Jay Gatsby attempts the impossible; rewriting time. An integral theme in Fitzgerald’s novel is living idly by the past is to squander the future. Jay Gatsby destroys his own future by seeking the past as a place of refuge, wishing to regain lost time, and creating a false future, …show more content…
NIck narrates how the dilution that Gatsby creates for Daisy ruins his attempts of true happiness. He says, “ It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way. No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.”(). After half a decade of wishing and wanting love, the love struck Jay Gatsby has created shoes that it is impossible for Daisy to ever fulfill. To Gatsby, Daisy has developed into more than a woman or even a wife, she is now practically a figure of his imagination. By creating an unrealistic image of his love, Gatsby insures that he will never regain his happiness. Similarly, Gatsby’s illusion of love causes his judgement to become at fault.Gatsby boldly declares in reference to Daisy and Tom, "I don't think she ever loved him...You must remember, old sport, she was very excited this afternoon. He told her those things in a way that frightened her – that made it look as if I was some kind of cheap sharper. And the result was she hardly knew what she was saying." (8.22)The final fault that Gatsby’s obsession with the past exposes is that Gatsby is disillusioned. In trying to rewrite history, Gatsby honestly believes that Daisy never had the slightest amount of love in her heart for her husband of three years. Gatsby,so fixed on his own dreams and wants, is incapable of understanding that there is a world beyond him. Gatsby’s promising future diminishes as he becomes illusion and no longer grounded on the same earth as the rest of
Show More

Related Documents: Why Did Gatsby Lose His Future

Pursuit Of Happiness In The Great Gatsby

times this year in CP English. We have been asked to find what the Pursuit of Happiness is and how different authors have shown this through their literature. Two novellas that we read that best described what the Pursuit of Happiness were The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Both of these novellas show what the Pursuit of Happiness is and what people will do while in pursuit of this happiness. Both of these novellas show tragedy and the struggle that people…

Words 881 - Pages 4

Great Gatsby Soundtrack Analysis

The Great Gatsby Soundtrack The Great Gatsby, a novel written during the roaring twenties in which many issues of that period of time were portrayed. These issues can easily be felt and understood by just reading in depth, but music can facilitate what F. Scott Fitzgerald tried to present. In the film by Baz Luhrmann, music plays a huge part in setting up the stage for the events that happened. For instance during Gatsby’s parties the music was upbeat. The film’s soundtrack suited perfectly;…

Words 1410 - Pages 6

Theme Of Identity In The Great Gatsby

our upcoming futures. Identity is the foundation of a character and it is significantly important in literary work. Love, attitude, and belief can always be the focus points and they demonstrate identity comprehensively both in fiction and real life. The Great Gatsby presents a dream of changing identity and pursuit for desired life. Forrest Gump tells a story of accepting who he is and facing the life with courage and sincerity. Connect them with the theme of identity, The Great Gatsby argues change…

Words 1498 - Pages 6

Horace Quote Analysis

book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott…

Words 669 - Pages 3

How Does Daisy Buchanan Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

“Gatsby, one moment of magical encounter, would blot out those five years of unwavering devotion,” (Fitzgerald 109). Magicians are known for the tricks that they play on the eyes. What often seems like magic, turns out to be just a careful flick of the wrist. In the book The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the idea of magic is compared to several characters in the novel. The magician motif is used among other implements to prove that appearance is not always reality. Jay Gatsby is described…

Words 1467 - Pages 6

Essay On The Green Light In The Great Gatsby

analyzing others actions is evident in recognizing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s purpose for the way he writes The Great Gatsby. Throughout his writing, Fitzgerald uses many literary devices to enhance the beauty of the novel. One of these devices is symbolism. Fitzgerald uses symbolism throughout the novel in attempts for the readers to understand…

Words 1814 - Pages 8

What Is The Destruction Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

associated to wealth and prosperity. Although, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald represents a wide spectrum of themes, the most significant one is the idea of the American Dream and its corruption. This novel shows what occurred in the 1920’s to the American Dream, it caused corruption as well as damage. Three characters that were involved in the corruption…

Words 1620 - Pages 7

Morality In The Great Gatsby

Great Gatsby the continuous pursuit for wealth and luxury, regardless of consequence, corrupts the passionate and ambitious, resulting in a decaying sense of morality. Through the markedly heartless demeanor of Tom Buchanan, Fitzgerald illustrates how destructive the temptation of extravagance can be upon one’s character. With such a sought-after, gorgeous woman of a wife and an abundance of inherited wealth, Tom Buchanan has every right to be satisfied with his lavish lifestyle. However, his insatiable…

Words 1338 - Pages 6

The Great Gatsby Past Research Paper

idea. Cause-and-effect theory suggests that past events affect current and future outcomes. A past event or action may trigger particular consequences in the present or future. Similarly, current events can trigger future consequences. Understanding…

Words 3760 - Pages 16

Great Gatsby Essay

overly aggressive, he has “a body capable of enormous leverage-- a cruel body”(7). I couldn't help but notice the way your knuckles are black and blue, proof of his abuse, which is not only physical but also emotional. Yes, darling, I know that he is not only aggressive, but his actions are unscrupulous. The whole city knows about his affair with Myrtle Wilson, one of several. I couldn’t possibly imagine how someone could hurt someone so angelic, so perfect as you. He doesn’t take you seriously;…

Words 893 - Pages 4