The Great Gatsby Research: Gatsby Is Considered a Christ Figure
A Christ figure is depicted as a visionary character who is symbolic to Jesus Christ and suggests towards the beginning of the novel, the reader learns more about Gatsby’s early life and can see how he to Biblical stories. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the intriguing and mysterious character Jay Gatsby is undoubtedly represented as a Christ figure. Fitzgerald uses strikingly similar characteristics between Gatsby and Jesus, resulting images to the Bible and Gatsby’s ultimate death echoing that of Jesus’ crucifixion to relate Gatsby to Christ.
Jay Gatsby, displays various qualities and characteristics of Jesus Christ that relates to Jesus (Dilworth). He rows out to Dan Cody only to let him know that he has anchored “over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior” and “that the wind might catch him and break him up in half an hour”(Dilworth). This instance describes Gatsby as showing concern for another even though he at the time should be worried about his own situation and life because of his jobs as a “clam-digger and a salmon-fisher” that brought him only food and a place to sleep (Fitzgerald 98). Gatsby demonstrates concern toward one he didn’t know much like Jesus showed the same quality towards those whom he barely knew. Another virtue Fitzgerald demonstrates Gatsby obtaining is hope. Early in the story, Gatsby is described as having “a heightened sensitivity to the promises of life” and also, “an extraordinary gift for hope” (“Gatsby”). Throughout the novel, Gatsby’s hope is illustrated through his desire to be with Daisy and his belief in “the green light” that represented the hope for a future with her (Fitzgerald 180). Gatsby’s strong belief in hope connects to both Jesus having an abundance of hope and one of the three “theological virtues” being hope (“Gatsby”). Gatsby’s character is also illustrated at his parties by one of the women (“Gatsby”). She says that Gatsby “doesn’t want trouble with anybody” (“Gatsby”) Gatsby’s gentle manner seen
Jay Gatsby, displays various qualities and characteristics of Jesus Christ that relates to Jesus (Dilworth). He rows out to Dan Cody only to let him know that he has anchored “over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior” and “that the wind might catch him and break him up in half an hour”(Dilworth). This instance describes Gatsby as showing concern for another even though he at the time should be worried about his own situation and life because of his jobs as a “clam-digger and a salmon-fisher” that brought him only food and a place to sleep (Fitzgerald 98). Gatsby demonstrates concern toward one he didn’t know much like Jesus showed the same quality towards those whom he barely knew. Another virtue Fitzgerald demonstrates Gatsby obtaining is hope. Early in the story, Gatsby is described as having “a heightened sensitivity to the promises of life” and also, “an extraordinary gift for hope” (“Gatsby”). Throughout the novel, Gatsby’s hope is illustrated through his desire to be with Daisy and his belief in “the green light” that represented the hope for a future with her (Fitzgerald 180). Gatsby’s strong belief in hope connects to both Jesus having an abundance of hope and one of the three “theological virtues” being hope (“Gatsby”). Gatsby’s character is also illustrated at his parties by one of the women (“Gatsby”). She says that Gatsby “doesn’t want trouble with anybody” (“Gatsby”) Gatsby’s gentle manner seen
Cited: Dilworth, Thomas. "The Passion of Gatsby: Evocation of Jesus in Fitzgerald 's THE GREAT GATSBY." Explicator 68.2 (2010): 119-21. Web. 11 Sept. 2012. . Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1996. Print. Wood, Kerry Michael. "The Religious Thread in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald." Wikinut. Wikinut Ltd, 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. .