Discuss the Ways in Which Fitzgerald Develops the Theme of Image vs. Reality in the Great Gatsby
Discuss the Ways in Which Fitzgerald Develops the Theme of Image vs. Reality in the Great Gatsby
One of the main ways in which this conflict between what is real and what is simply a facade is presented is in the form of James Gatz, or Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald emphasizes the theatrical quality of Gatsby’s life, which is an important part of his personality and one of his major character traits. Gatsby has literally recreated himself, even changing his name to one of his own invention. It is never really understood why Gatsby does this but it can be assumed that this part of his attempt to reinvent himself anew and start over again, ridding him from any links he has to his past. Fitzgerald propels the novel forward through the early chapters by shrouding Gatsby’s background and the source of his wealth in mystery, which contributes to this idea of an attempt to remain secretive. As his relentless quest for Daisy demonstrates, Gatsby has an extraordinary ability to transform his hopes and dreams into reality; at the beginning of the novel, he appears to the reader just as he desires to appear to the world. This talent for self-invention is what gives Gatsby his quality of ‘greatness’, suggesting that the persona of Jay Gatsby is but a masterful illusion.
Fitzgerald presents Jay Gatsby as one of the characters who cannot see reality. He focuses so strongly on trying to get what he had in the past that he cannot face the reality of the present saying, ‘can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!’. His obsession with Daisy does not seem to be one of genuine love, just a desire to attain the unattainable that he so nearly achieved all those years ago, before he had accumulated his huge wealth and was not rich enough to marry her. The way that he attempts to relive his past can appear rather pathetic, as he hosts unbelievably luxurious parties that are thrown every week at his mansion, during which he displays his extravagant opulence, hoping to attract the attention
One of the main ways in which this conflict between what is real and what is simply a facade is presented is in the form of James Gatz, or Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald emphasizes the theatrical quality of Gatsby’s life, which is an important part of his personality and one of his major character traits. Gatsby has literally recreated himself, even changing his name to one of his own invention. It is never really understood why Gatsby does this but it can be assumed that this part of his attempt to reinvent himself anew and start over again, ridding him from any links he has to his past. Fitzgerald propels the novel forward through the early chapters by shrouding Gatsby’s background and the source of his wealth in mystery, which contributes to this idea of an attempt to remain secretive. As his relentless quest for Daisy demonstrates, Gatsby has an extraordinary ability to transform his hopes and dreams into reality; at the beginning of the novel, he appears to the reader just as he desires to appear to the world. This talent for self-invention is what gives Gatsby his quality of ‘greatness’, suggesting that the persona of Jay Gatsby is but a masterful illusion.
Fitzgerald presents Jay Gatsby as one of the characters who cannot see reality. He focuses so strongly on trying to get what he had in the past that he cannot face the reality of the present saying, ‘can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!’. His obsession with Daisy does not seem to be one of genuine love, just a desire to attain the unattainable that he so nearly achieved all those years ago, before he had accumulated his huge wealth and was not rich enough to marry her. The way that he attempts to relive his past can appear rather pathetic, as he hosts unbelievably luxurious parties that are thrown every week at his mansion, during which he displays his extravagant opulence, hoping to attract the attention