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The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby
It seems that after The Great War, America promised a limitless amount of both social and financial opportunities for anyone inclined to pursue a hard working lifestyle--An American Dream. But for others striving and realizing for the dream had altered them, as they acquired wealth to only pursue the pleasure. In the novel The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the lives of three characters present the emptiness that result when wealth and pleasure have ended in themselves. These characters Jay Gatsby, George Wilson, and Daisy Buchanan passionately chase hollow dreams but seem to face nothing but misery.

Jay Gatsby is one character who couldn't let go of a fantasy. Jay Gatsby lived an extremely poor childhood. Before Gatsby had joined in WWl he fell deeply in love with a sophisticated young woman named Daisy and lied to her about his background because he felt he wasn't good enough for her. Daisy had then made a vow to Gatsby that she would wait for his return from the Great War, but didn't keep her promise and married a man named Tom Buchanan. His impoverished childhood drove him to pursue countless amounts of money, class, and power. In doing so, he achieved his goal in all, the wrong manners. He participated in organized crimes, such as distributing illegal alcohol and trading in stolen securities. Gatsby is then so determined to win Daisy's heart back by using his his wealth and power.

Another character, George Wilson the owner of a run-down auto shop is married to a woman Myrtle Wilson. George loves Myrtle and idolizes her, but is devastated by her affairs with Tom. Myrtle is then killed by Daisy as she and Gatsby are cruising through the Valley of Ashes. Both George and Gatsby can only dream and are both unsatisfied love for women who share their love for Tom.

Daisy's character however, is married to a wealthy man Tom who had affairs with Myrtle, but knows she loves Gatsby. Daisy is also a dishonest young woman who lied to Gatsby about

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