The Great Gatsby: Character & Key Quotes: Jay Gatsby

Character Analysis: Jay Gatsby

Origin and Goals:

“His parent were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people—his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all.” Fitzgerald makes use of this narrative to establish Gatsby’s humble beginnings, his disassociation from it, and his inherent desire of pursuing the American Dream.
“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.” This quote encapsulates Gatsby’s determination towards achieving his dream, revealing his persistent optimism and ambition.

Interaction with Other Characters:

“It’s an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person.” Here, Nick’s description of Gatsby reveals his admiration, further emphasising Gatsby’s enduring hope and romantic idealism.
“He looked at her the way all women want to be looked at by a man.” Through this quote, Fitzgerald conveys Gatsby’s deep affection for Daisy, highlighting his romantic idealism, and setting the pace for their ill-fated relationship.

Gatsby’s Wealth and Lavish Lifestyle:

“I’ve got a man in England who buys me clothes. He sends over a selection of things at the beginning of each season, spring and fall.” This anecdote illustrates the extent of Gatsby’s wealth, suggesting his pursuit of social standing and identity.
“On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus.” This depiction of Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle serves to reinforce the theme of the American Dream pursued through material wealth and consumer culture.

The Tragic End:

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.” This quote symbolically references the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, tying it to Gatsby’s pursuit of an unattainable dream, and providing a poignant commentary on his tragic end.
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” The last line of the book serves as an epitaph to Gatsby’s futile struggle against his past, indicating the ultimate failure of his ambition and the destruction of his dream.