Gatsby Debrief

Of all the characters in The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is by far the most remembered character, even by those who have never read the novel or even seen the 2013 film adaptation with Leonardo DiCaprio. However, most people at the very least are familiar with the meme of Leonardo DiCaprio holding up the champagne flute as Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote his novel almost 100 years ago, yet his novel and characters (especially Gatsby himself) are still so relevant in today’s pop culture, but why is that? I believe that Gatsby’s character remains so relevant and iconic even today is because of his glamorized representation of the American Dream, and because of his dazzling charm and romance towards Daisy.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the American Dream as “the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.” Before Gatsby earned his fortune he was a poor, average American who was the son of low class farmers of North Dakota. However, he was very ambitious and determined to be successful and make a better life for himself. Eventually, after hard work Gatsby did make his fortune as he had set out to do. He earned all of his money from bootlegging business. He sold illegal alcohol during the prohibition. Even though Gatsby did not earn his money honestly he still achieved his goal of becoming successful. Honestly, I find the fact that he did not earn his money honestly to be even more American considering for centuries the most successful businessmen of America used not-so-honest tactics themselves to get to the top of the business world. Gatsby represents the American Dream because of his upbringing and his new found money and luxurious lifestyle. The extravagant parties he throws in his mansion is a physical depiction of just how financially successful he actually is. Gatsby’s parties were always extremely over the top and expensive. Clearly, the average American cannot afford to throw the type of parties that he throws, especially on a regular basis. Gatsby’s wealth and other materialistic possessions symbolizes hope for success of a better life for the average American, thus justifying the argument that Gatsby is a representation of the American Dream. Gatsby’s glorified representation of the American Dream has allowed him to remain so memorable because the American Dream itself is very patriotic and there’s nothing Americans love more than patriotism.

Secondly, Gatsby remains so iconic and relevant today because of his charming personality and grand romantic gestures towards Daisy. In the 2013 film adaptation Leonardo DiCaprio’s depiction of Gatsby helped translate the character’s natural charm to a new, younger audience. Considering DiCaprio’s incredible good looks and previous romantic leads in other films such as his role in as Romeo in the 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and his legendary portrayal as Jack in Titanic he was bound to be successful as Gatsby based on the sheer fact of how totally swoon-worthy he is. Additionally, the grand romantic gestures he does in the movie such as throwing the parties for Daisy and taking the fall for Myrtle’s murder make audiences melt because he would not want a man that is as devoted to them as Gatsby is to Daisy, and on top of that, the fact that that man is Leonardo DiCaprio is the cherry on top. The combination of DiCaprio’s swoon-worthiness and grand romantic gestures he performs in the movie has allowed for the character of Gatsby to remain so relevant today.

To conclude, Gatsby’s representation of the American Dream and his romantic gestures towards Daisy has allowed him to reign as one of the most iconic characters ever because these two qualities appeal to both men and women. His representation of the American Dream is more appealing to men, and his romance definitley appeals to a large quantity of women. Since Gatsby has been remembered by so many people within the last almost-century he still remains relevant and iconic today.

Sources cited:

Solanki, Vibhakumari. “Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers.” Study.Com | Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers, 3 Mar. 2022, study.com/learn/lesson/american-dream-the-great-gatsby-f-scott-fitzgerald-analysis-quotes.html#:~:text=%22The%20Great%20Gatsby%22%20deeply%20portrays,this%20dream%2C%20is%20essentially%20corrupted.

Edwards, Halle. “Best Character Analysis: Jay Gatsby – the Great Gatsby.” Best Character Analysis: Jay Gatsby – The Great Gatsby, 13 Jan. 2020, blog.prepscholar.com/jay-gatsby-great-gatsby-character-analysis-quotes#:~:text=Gatsby%20was%20born%20%22James%20Gatz,ended%20up%20being%20employed%20by.