Gatsbys Destruction :: essays research papers

Gatsbys Destruction Gatsbys destruction is caused by his inability to let go of a dream which cannot be realized possessing Daisy Buchanan. He does not bearing so much for the person herself as the ideal she represents to him true heat and happiness. In the hopes of attracting Daisy, and in the hopes of becoming happy, Gatsby amasses a vast horde of wealth, and throws dissolute parties frequently "At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough grim lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsbys enormous garden. On concussion tables, garnished with glistening hors doeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys beguile to a dark gold" (page 44) Such grandeur would be more than adequate to please most people, moreover not Gatsby. He cannot be happy until he is with the ideal woman, in the ideal relationship. Gatsbys sterling(prenominal) strengths as a character, and his greatest weaknesses, are his ambition, tenacity and discipline. At the blockade of the novel, we see that Gatsby has been this way since he was a child. His father comes upon one of his " settlement 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 lifestyle of wealth, but never destined to enjoy it. From childhood, Gatsby has been disciplined, ambitious, and tenacious. He was level in his dedication to certain goals. Unfortunately, Gatsbys ultimate goal was unattainable. Daisy comes from a family of great wealth and & quotold money". She is a member of an elite group society of rich, snobbish people. Although she did not love her husband, she values the status and protective cover he provided for her. If she left Tom 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 thought her social obligations more classic 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 leave me.