The Great Gatsby-Achieving the Dream

A man who had a dream of becoming reunited with his true love, Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby was determined to make this dream a reality no matter the trials and tribulations. He achieved all of his goals through hard work and determination with his love for Daisy being the driving force behind his motivation. The title “The Great Gatsby” is very suitable because Gatsby’s power to make his dreams a reality is what makes him “great”.
Gatsby began as James Gatz, a young seventeen year old boy from North Dakota who wanted a life which contradicted his entire existence, one which seemed unattainable. He wanted to become prominent, rich and successful. He was granted this opportunity when he met Dan Cody. He got a chance to taste the life which he so desired. This was why he changed his name to “Jay Gatsby”. It was the official initiation of Jay Gatsby into the world. Within no time, the son of unsuccessful farmers became a potential member of society’s elite. This was his dream in connection with Daisy. He persevered and became what he believed was his destiny. With Dan Cody as his chaperone, he established the foundation of his identity and his new life.
Gatsby’s number one priority in life was to find his true love Daisy and to become reunited with her. His determination for Daisy was what pushed him towards achieving all that he had. He only bought his mansion because it was close by to Daisy’s house. From his house he could have seen the green light that flashed from the dock. This green light was his inspiration. He did all he could to become reunited with Daisy. Everything he did was ultimately for her. He threw lavish parties hoping to find someone who knew her. He befriended her cousin, Nick Carraway, to get closer to her. He didn’t even let the fact that she was married deter him from his dream of getting her back.
Gatsby’s determination to find Daisy was great. The things he did to find her were great as well. They were not exactly honourable or ethical; he lacked morality in the actions he took to reach where he was. However, great things are not always done according to what is right. Gatsby was involved in illegal activities, but these undertakings were very profitable. He and his partner, Meyer Wolfshiem, owned side-street drug stores and were selling grain alcohol over the counter. Gatsby did such things for Daisy. He knew Daisy didn’t want someone who was poor, so he built himself up, mindless of his dishonest deeds.
Upon meeting Daisy after five years, one would think that Gatsby had achieved his dream of reuniting with Daisy. This was not so. Gatsby wanted to pick back up where he left off with Daisy as if they could simply return to how they were five years before. This dream was one that he could not achieve no matter what he did, for Daisy had a husband and more importantly, a child. He tried his level best to make Daisy his and only his by telling her husband, Tom, the truth about his and Daisy’s relationship. Perhaps he would have achieved this dream if not for the fact that he was killed by a bullet which should have been meant for Tom, as it was shot by the husband of Tom’s mistress.
Jay Gatsby’s life was full of great achievements, all inspired and powered by his love for Daisy Buchanan. His greatness was built on immorality, but it was driven by the most pure and sacred emotion, love. His love for her was undeniable, and all he did was for her. This love story ends in tragedy, however the love that Gatsby had for Daisy was what helped him live out his dream as a rich, successful man. He didn’t get to share it with her, but it was inspired by her and he had her in his heart all t hrough his life therefore it can be said that his power, which was his love for Daisy, to make his dreams real made him great.