The characters are irresponsible dreamers – The Great Gatsby

The great Gatsby is an effective novel in epitomising the dreary struggle of many to achieve the Ameri whoremonger dream. The economic boom and the positive change in society following the First World struggle may fork out contributed largely to the idea of the American dream. Fitzgerald portrayed in The Great Gatsby the stark contrast between the rich and the poor whilst revelation a common similarity a hope in attaining the American dream. The novel follows the dreams of members of entirely separate social classes and encapsulates the thwarted dreams of both the gilded and the underprivileged, through immoral and unreli subject actions.Overall, it can be said that The Great Gatsby summa bear witnesss the way in which societys definition of the American dream morphed from that of achieving happiness to acquiring m acetary effects. Daisy Buchanan can be regarded as nonpareil of the foremost autocratic dreamers in the novel. Her personality appears to reflect that of a chil ds. She often acts fickle, immature and is forever and a day seeking attention. An example of this is on page 15 where Nick mentions Ive comprehend it said that Daisys murmur was only to make people lean toward her. Her childish attributes may corroborate contributed to her imperious nature.After meeting Gatsby, Daisy begins to view everything in a romantic light. She whispers to Gatsby about wanting to just get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around (page 101). Her human relationship with Gatsby seems to have a tinge of fantasy, almost as if she is more interested in getting away from reality than being in a relationship with him. Daisys subprogram with Gatsby can be said to be irresponsible as she is both a wife and a mother. Also, her decision to have an affair might possibly have stemmed from the anger and jealousy she felt in knowing about Toms infidelity.The death of myrtle and the events that followed showed readers just how irresponsible Daisy s reference work is. Despite that ultimately, Daisy was responsible for the death of myrtle, she appeared unremorseful in leave blame to Gatsby. This is evident when Fitzgerald writes But she and Tom had gone away, early that afternoon, and taken luggage with them (pg 171). This line immediately shows readers that Daisy may have felt footling guilt at leaving Gatsby behind to deal with the aftermath of myrtles death.The baggage that the pair had taken with them implies that they are leaving for a prolonged total of m and alike that Tom and Daisy may have spent time planning their leave. Daisys refusal of accepting her part in myrtles death shows elements of moral dissolution of the 20s society. On a larger scale, it can be suggested that Daisy and Tom personify the affluent old aristocracy, a society that could effectively avoid tariff for their actions through their shield of abundant wealth and high status.Daisy, in exceptional reflects the quintessential example of th e American dream- she had inherited her wealth, is married to an equally blotto man and rotates in the circles of the upper class society. On the other hand, readers can argue that at the end of the novel, Daisy make the responsible decision of staying with Tom, rescue her marriage and her daughter and can hence be forgiven for her previous actions. myrtles fount represents the average working class citizen of America. However, her affair with Tom grants her a fewer of the luxuries that other ordinary working class citizens would not be able to attain.For example, she says Id like to get one of those police dogs (page 33). This extract shows that with the advantage of Toms wealth, Myrtle can afford to be fickle. Her irresponsibility lies with her belief of a rise in social standing through her relationship with Tom. Her attitude to others of her induce class, changes, maybe signifying a corruption of innocence. When Tom and Myrtle host a party in their apartment, Myrtle acts in a patronising way towards Mrs McKee, rejecting her compliments and offering Mrs McKee her clothes (page 37 and 42).Fitzgerald may have write it to show that the American dream was not necessarily morally justified, for when Myrtle achieved formulas of the American dream wealth she behaved haughtily. However, readers may argue that Myrtle was not irresponsible, as she was only pursuing the chance for a better spirit. Myrtle may have seen her affair with Tom as a center of obtaining this better life and so her actions were justifiable. Her death represents the slow disintegration of the American dream.Its abruptness could possibly symbolise the abrupt economic boom (and posterior the abrupt economic bust), and the end of the American dream for both Myrtle and the working class society. In Gatsby, it is clear Fitzgerald has embodied the true American dream. Gatsbys climb from humble beginnings to owning a huge mansion, a successful transmission line and a Rolls Royce displa ys to readers the ideal form of the American dream. However, it is also apparent that Gatsby acts in irresponsible ways. His chief aim appeared to be to win back Daisy.Gatsby says on page 117 Cant repeat the past? ( ) of course you can This belief showed readers that Gatsby was mayhap in denial that Daisy had moved on from him, and had a separate life from him. He had toiled for five years to be able to present to Daisy a worthy partner in himself, arguably an irresponsible act as it was inevitable that after five years, Daisy would have moved on. Fitzgerald also ties in the theme of time with Gatsby. Fitzgerald writes the clock took this moment to tilt desperately at the pressure of his head (page 93).This line could represent Gatsbys beefed-up conviction in repeating the past, whereas the clock tilting dangerously could perhaps be a dangerous indication of the tragedy to come. Another form of Gatsbys irresponsibility is in his strong loyalty to Daisy, despite the fact that she is married to another man. Ironically, his loyalty to her be to be his destruction as he takes the blame for Myrtles death and therefore was murdered by Wilson. Like Myrtle, Gatsby proves to be a victim of the American dream, and like Myrtle, his death could perhaps represent the disintegration of the American dream.Additionally, Fitzgeralds circumstantial description of the preparation of Gatsbys parties at the beginning of Chapter 3 could perhaps have been to illustrate Gatsbys extravagance in trying to win over Gatsby. This could perhaps be regarded as wasteful and irresponsible of Gatsby by readers. However, it can be argued that Gatsby was influenced by his love for Daisy and therefore his extravagance was justified. It is suggested in the novel that Gatsby made his wealth through engaging in criminal activities.However, as it is not directly mentioned, it cannot entirely be regarded as another of his irresponsible actions. In general, it can be said that Gatsbys irresponsibi lity stemmed from his involvement of Daisys love, and so readers are often more empathetic towards him than any other share in the novel. Moreover, Gatsbys representation of the American dream appeared to be the only one that did not centralise on monetary gain another aspect that draws sympathy from readers on his death. To an extent, it can be agreed that the characters are irresponsible dreamers.Readers however, may be at a disagreement over which character holds the biggest responsibilities. Daisy can be seen as one of the most irresponsible characters as she played a great role in the death of Myrtle and therefore her action had a greater consequence. The American dream also plays a part in the irresponsibility of characters as it is often their pursuit of their dreams that leads them to make immoral and irresponsible decisions. Fitzgeralds depiction of the roaring twenties and the precious distribution of wealth revealed an alarming aftermath of social and moral decay.