American literature essay. Literary analysis of works and characters - Sykalo Evgen 2023
The Great Gatsby: Love's Green Light: Unrequited Longing and the Illusion of the Past
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald threads across the glistening but treacherous rivers of the American Dream; the novel's major tragedy is around Jay Gatsby's unfulfilled desire for Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy goes beyond simple romanticism; it's a delusional desire to relive a history that has been lost, holding onto a green light that represents an idealized version of himself and a love that can never come true. Fitzgerald reveals the destructive power of unfulfilled desire and the dangers of holding onto illusions through Gatsby's terrible demise.
Gatsby is driven by nostalgia—a idealized reminiscence of their pre-war romance—to pursue Daisy relentlessly. He gets obsessed with the green light at Daisy's dock's end, turning it into a representation of what he feels he has lost, including love, status, and a feeling of personal fulfillment. His lavish gatherings and conspicuous shows of wealth are not evidence of his newly acquired wealth; rather, they are grandiose props used to entice Daisy back into his life.
Fitzgerald skillfully draws a contrast between the harsh reality of the present and Gatsby's idealized past. Daisy, who was once endearing and naive, has turned emotionally numb and materialistic. The lavish lifestyle of the Buchanans, which at first seems fascinating to Gatsby, turns out to be hollow and morally bankrupt. The devastating character of Gatsby's infatuation is revealed by this juxtaposition, which also emphasizes how impossible it is to reclaim a past that never really happened.
Symbolism intensifies the themes of loss and delusion even further. The green light, so seductive at first, becomes a mocking symbol of unfulfilled yearning. The Valley of Ashes, Gatsby's lavish parties, and Nick's yellow Rolls-Royce all come to represent misguided hopes and societal ruin. These components knit a fabric of disappointment, serving as a constant reminder that following after illusions will always end in tragedy and heartache.
The terrible end of Gatsby serves as a warning about the perils of unfulfilled desire and holding into the past. His failure stems from his incapacity to face Daisy's reality and get over his romanticized portrayal of her. Nick's dejection and flight from the East Coast highlight the immorality of succumbing to Gatsby's illusions.
The Great Gatsby is more than just a typical love story. It turns into a societal critique on the perils and attraction of the American Dream. Fitzgerald warns against the alluring but dangerous force of nostalgia through Gatsby's fatal pursuit of Daisy. He urges us to face the realities of the present and establish our own routes forward, free from the burdens of the past.