The Great Gatsby As A Tragedy Essay - 902 Words

The Great Gatsby As A Tragedy A hurried read of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby can generate a tragic impression. The deaths of three of the main characters and the failure of Gatsby and Daisys romance can be viewed as tragic. However, a deeper analysis of the book reveals a much deeper tragedy. The relentless struggles of Gatsby himself parallel Fitzgeralds apparent ideas of the struggles of all Americans. The American dream romanticized by the majority of the population is really unattainable because it is, in fact, nonexistent. Every character has an unfortunate role and could be called a tragic character. However, the main tragedy is that of the title character. Gatsby experiences nothing but tragedy in his†¦show more content†¦Gatsbys final tragedy is his death. Gatsby made a great effort to achieve his dreams, but in the end his efforts were futile. Fitzgerald was obviously appalled at the general state of society in the 1920s. He appears to have been particularly saddened by the decayed social and moral values of the well-established American aristocracies. The old wealth seen on East Egg and the people attending Gatsbys parties signify the careless materialism of the time. Tom and Daisy are prime examples of this. They outrage Nick and by the end of the novel he decides that they are careless peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money (187). As seen through the disappointed eyes in Dr. Eckleburgs glasses on the billboard at the Valley of the Ashes, the world itself was in a tragic state. The distinct social classes are what kept Gatsby and Daisy apart. In the beginning, it was his lack of money that made them unable to be together. After they are reunited, it is the great division of the old and new wealth that keeps them apart. Gatsby could never be accepted into Daisys social class because on East Egg he could not have self-made wealth. The novel ends with Gatsbys death and subsequent funeral. These are representative of the final death of the American dream. Gatsbys life work had turned out to be for nothing. Although he has many acquaintances and doesnt want any trouble with anybody (48), he has noShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby And America s Tragedy1502 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Gatsby and America’s Tragedy The 1920’s resemble an epoch of the most significant economic prosperity that the Western world has ever seen. The Roaring Twenties, or the Jazz Age, was a period of immense change for all people after The Great War. Women could vote, cars and telephones were immensely popular, jazz music peaked, and airplanes became widely used, all things never before witnessed in world history. In the heat of this era, F. 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