The Great Gatsby :: The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is a shady man living in the West Egg district of Long Island. Gatsby is extremely wealthy and owns a mansion with a large swimming pool, a fancy car, and dozens of servants. Every Saturday night, he throws extravagant parties which many people, most of whom accommodatent even been invited, attend. No one really knows anything about Gatsby, except that he is full-bodied and generous. However, many rumors are created about him. Some say that he was a German spy during the war and some say that he killed a man. As the summer progresses, Nick Carraway the narrator who is also Gatsbys neighbor, learns more about who Gatsby really is, or rather who he isnt and reasons why he lives his life as he does. Nick doesnt approve of Gatsbys lifestyle and the way he earns his cash, but nevertheless he sees Gatsby as superior to those who surround him. Nick admires the romantic hope that motivates Gatsby to prosecu te his dreams. Jay Gatsbys greatness is a result of his naive belief that he can make his dreams a reality.In the beginning of the novel, Nick sums up Gatsbys character and the reasons why he respects him. ...Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him...This responsiveness had nothing to do with that flabby impressionability which is dignified under the name if the creative temperament--it was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which is not likely I shall ever find again.(6) Nick makes it very clear that he doesnt agree with the way Gatsby makes and uses his money. Although Nick comes from a very wealthy family himself, he was taught to work hard for his money. Nevertheless, he does find himself admiring Gatsby. He values Gatsbys hope, no take how false it is, tha t one day he will have a life with the woman whom he loves. Wealthy people often use their money to get everything they have always wanted for themselves, but Gatsby uses his money to get everything that he thinks Daisy has always wanted in hopes of winning her back.