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Jay Gatsby thinks money is the answer to anything he encounters. He has the best of everything. The fanciest car, the largest house, and the finest clothes. Jay has everything except the object he most desires, Daisy. Gatsby believes he can win Daisy over with wealth, that he could achieve the ideal she stood for through his material One look at Gatsby’s past and it could be seen that he was destined to get ahead in life. Mr. Gatz told Nick, “Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he’s got about improving his mind? He was always great for that. He told me I et like a hog once and I beat him for it” (182). Gatsby’s determination to gain a large bankroll is a huge part of the American dream. He believes that once he achieved his financial goal it would lead to a better life. In America, the car is one of the greatest status symbols. Gatsby’s gorgeous machine is one of the most majestic cars created. Nick’s comments on the vehicle describe its luster, “...and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hatboxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes...Sitting down behind many layers of glass in a sort of leather conservatory we started towards town” (68). The use of the symbolic automobile can be seen as a demonstration of how an ideal based on materialism alone can be destructive. This was the fatal car which kills Myrtle Wilson and indirectly leads to Gatsby’s death. Appearance is another important factor toward Gatsby’s dream. In his quest to win Daisy’s heart Gatsby chooses to wear his best outfit. “...the front door opened nervously and Gatsby in a white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold colored tie hurried in” (89). Silver and gold are the colors of wealth, Gatsby’s sartorial splendor is as lavish as any of the other items he owns. Gatsby’s shirts are more then just garments towards Gatsby. They are some of the many fascinating objects he possesses that were created by money. These shirts contribute towards Gatsby’s vision of the American dream, that his money and belongings will create happiness for Another major object of Gatsby’s dream was his incredible house. Jay states to Nick and Daisy, “My house looks well, doesn’t it? See how the whole front of it catches the light” (95). Jay gave Nick and Daisy the grand tour of his house showing of all of his worldly possessions. Room after room, everything was shown and mentioned. At the sight of his piles and piles of shirts Daisy broke down. “They’re such beautiful shirts, it makes me sad because I’ve never seen such--such beautiful shirts before” (98). Jay Gatsby’s ideals were parallel to the typical American dream. He wants to claim his objective by the use of his assets. He thinks that his money will give him happiness in life through love and his personal belongings. Even the richest man in the world can’t have everything. Material wealth could provide many things for Jay Gatsby but not the thing he most desired. Although his wealth drew Daisy closer to him, he never truly could have possessed her heart. He demanded Daisy to state that she had never loved Tom Buchanan. “Oh, you want too much!” she cried to Gatsby, “I love you now--isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past. I did love him once--but I loved you too.” (139-140). Jay’s true love still remained with her uncaring husband, Tom. Jay Gatsby’s dream was smashed when he found out that even all of his assets weren’t enough to woo Daisy to him. Jay Gatsby’s belief in the American dream keep him from realizing reality. He believes that if he worked hard enough and made enough money that he could have anything. He wants to perceive the world as a place where sufficient wealth would enable him to recapture and recreate the past he desired with Daisy. Gatsby began planning for his dream when he was young. This can be seen from his journal he wrote as a young man which was discovered by Mr. Gatz. His attempt to accomplish his dream with cars and shirts could not have been successful. The American dream cannot be accomplished, money is just one factor towards happiness in this world. Daisy Buchannon is a round and dynamic character with many different sides to her personality. Early on in the book, she is portrayed as sweet and innocent. Her white and seemingly floating dress appeals to Nick in this way. She grew up as “the most popular of all the young girls in Louisville.” Even then she dressed in white. Daisy had grown up with all of the best, and was a materialistic young girl. She was once in love with Gatsby, but her live was put on the back burner when she met Tom. She married Tom without ever hearing from Gatsby, and that was the end of that chapter of her life. Many of the afore mentioned characteristics also help to creat some of the conflicts in her life. Daisy was involved in many conflicts with Tom, for he had a mistress who was no secret to Daisy. Daisy didnt seem upset by this but she was, and this, in turn leads to Daisy’s love affair with Gatsby. Her sweetness and innocence are the same as when Gatsby left her, and Gatsby’s love is unrelentless. Gatsby hopes that Daisy still has the love she once had for him deep down inside her heart. Gatsby’s dream ties in here, for when Jay was a young man, he dreamed of being rich and powerful. When he met Daisy, his dream was to be on a level with Daisy, and to show her what he had and to buy her love with materialistic things. This did not go off without a hitch, for Daisy had married Tom, and with that came love for him. Although Daisy told Gatsby she loved him, there was still her affection for Tom. The way the conflicts created by Daisy help the theme are numerous. The most significant way is that she is the central corruption of Gatsby’s dream. The dream began as a simple bid for happiness, yet Gatsby was corrupted by money. He wanted money, and he believed that money would make him happy. When he became rich, his dream then became focused upon Daisy. Daisy was the only thing (or at least he thought) between him and Bibliography: great american lit. The Great Gatsby Word Count: 1149
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