Gatsbys Destruction :: essays research papers

Gatsbys Destruction Gatsbys destruction is caused by his inability to let go of a dream which can non be realized possessing Daisy Buchanan. He does not care so much for the person herself as the ideal she represents to him true love and happiness. In the hopes of attracting Daisy, and in the hopes of becoming happy, Gatsby amasses a vast horde of wealthiness, and throws extravagant parties frequently "At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several(prenominal) hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsbys enormous garden. On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors doeuvre, spiced baked hams move against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold" (page 44) Such grandeur would be more than adequate to please most people, but not Gatsby. He cannot be happy until he is with the ideal woman, in the ideal relationship. Gatsbys greatest strengths as a character, and his great est weaknesses, are his ambition, tenacity and discipline. At the end of the novel, we see that Gatsby has been this way since he was a child. His father comes upon one of his "resolve sheets" that he used to make. It reads "Rise from bed..........................................600 A.M. Dumbbell exercise and wall scaling........615-630 Study electricity, etc..................................715-815 Work..........................................................830-430 Baseball and sports....................................430-500" (p.181) and so on. This, as Gatsbys father says "Just goes to show you" (page181). It shows the reader that Gatsby was always destined for a modus vivendi of wealth, but never destined to enjoy it. From childhood, Gatsby has been disciplined, ambitious, and tenacious. He was unwavering in his dedication to certain goals. Unfortunately, Gatsbys ultimate goal was unattainable. Daisy comes from a family of great wealth and "old mon ey". She is a member of an elite society of abstruse, snobbish people. Although she did not love her husband, she values the status and protection he provided for her. If she left turkey cock for Gatsby, she would lose this status and protection. Gatsby, although he is rich, is not "old rich". Because of this, he is looked down upon by members of Daisys class. Consequently, she would not leave her status for someone who she cared for. She estimation her social obligations more important than Gatsbys "true love". The arrogance of her class comes across as Tom talks to Gatsby, who is probably more rich than he is, but not of the older aristocratic class " Shes not leaving me.