TheGreatnessofGatsbyintheGreatGatsby

【Abstract】The disillusionment of the American Dream is an undisputed theme of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. However， this paper takes another perspective， putting the emphasis on the greatness of Gatsby in the Jazz age. Gatsbys greatness will be elaborated on from three aspects：his pursuit of American Dream， his personal qualities， his sharp contrast with the other characters in the novel.

【Key words】the American Dream； greatness； Gatsby； the Jazz Age

The Great Gatsby remains a classic in American literature for its vivid depiction of the disillusionment of the American Dream in the 1920s. The corruption of human values and the problems within the pleasure-seeking society are carefully interwoven to arrive at a horrible tragedy. However， a hero， Gatsby， stands out against this heart-rending backdrop distinctly with his own greatness.

I. The Greatness in Gatsbys pursuit of American Dream

Gatsbys greatness comes from his eagerness to achieve success and his strong will to realize his dreams. Gatsby is a typical pursuer of American Dream. He is an outstanding rags-to-riches saga. Born in a poor western family in North Dakota， he refused to accept his destiny passively. He left home to fight on his own. “For over a year he had been beating his way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and bed.”（Fitzgerald， 132）Actually， from the very beginning， he has set up a strong resolution to undergo the bitterest hardships. The well-designed schedule fully reveals the strong-mindedness and perseverance built in the character， as well as the ambition to become a Franklin-type person， and he finally made it. “An instinct towards his future glory [leads] him”. （Fitzgerald， 133） He nudges in this dazzling world on his own strength， on thorough material scarcity but a glorified Dream. Gatsby has not laid hand on Codys money， ever. “He never understood the legal device that was used against him， but what remained of the millions went intact to Ella Kaye （Codys mistress）. He was left with his singularly appropriate education.” （Fitzgerald， 133） He elbows his way into financial success through his own efforts and always retains hope in the future.

II. Gatsbys greatness finding its expression in his good manners and unique personality

1. Innocence and purity

Gatsbys pursuit of Daisy purifies his personality. He buries himself in years hard work just for the return of an old love. He spent three years earning money to buy the house in hope of Daisys arrival. In spite of Daisys fickleness and shallowness， she remains an impeccable deity in Gatsbys heart. The first “nice” girl he has ever met compels him to “[commit] himself to the following of a grail”. （Fitzgerald， 199） His innocence and purity， and his patience elevate him to a higher ground， and cement his greatness. The capricious Jazz Age urges people to abandon the traditional values；however， Gatsby stands upright， untouched by its insolence and impudence.

2. Politeness and courtesy

The politeness and courtesy are revealed in both his words and deeds. The note he sent to Nick was a surprisingly formal one：“the honor would be entirely Gatsbys， if [Nick] would attend his ‘little party that night.” （Fitzgerald， 55） When he introduced himself， he was picking his words with care；when he left， he excused himself with a bow to show respect and politeness；when the guests approached him to say goodbye， his manner tightened into formality to a corresponding response. He has a firm check of his behavior， which distinguishes him from the jazz-age mass.

3. Self-discipline in drinking alcohol

On his clamorous parties， he seldom drinks， staying away from alcohol as far as possible. As the narrator， Nick observes that it is a great advantage not to drink among hard-drinking people. You can hold your tongue， and moreover， when others soak themselves in the champagne and rumors at the party， Gatsby is able to stand aloof with a sober head all the time. As a result， Gatsby naturally “grew more correct as the fraternal hilarity increased.” （Fitzgerald， 67）

4. Incredible tolerance and generosity

Five years waiting and struggles towards an obscured dream clearly witness Gatsbys tolerance. He hides himself in stupid tolerance and hammers Daisy in his heart as time goes by. In addition， the parties give full play to this quality. Guests to his house， invited or not， all received a warm welcome and enjoyed themselves in a lavish way the host provided. Nevertheless， Gatsby has to tolerate their gossip as well as material ravages.

5. Honesty

Despite the illegal means he adopted to accumulate wealth， he was an honest man from head to toe. First， he was honest with others. Although he had had little education， he got a real library with real-page books rather than the “nice durable cardboard” （Fitzgerald， 61）， which was quite a vogue among the seemingly well-educated aristocratic rank. Second， he was at least honest with himself. He knows what he wants exactly and chases after that goal whole-heartedly.

6. Responsibility

Gatsby is a filial son as well as a competent lover. Although he had had fights with his father over some matters and run off from home， he bought his father a new house after his success and kept contact by mail. As a lover， he outshines Tom the husband. After Daisys murder of Myrtle Wilson， Gatsbys anxious nightlong waiting and his decision to shoulder the blame also indicate his great responsibility.

III. Greatness reflected in contrast

As a representative of the newly rich， Gatsbys confrontation with the group represented by Tom and Daisy promotes his image immensely.

On one hand， Gatsby has gone a long way on the civilized side. Tom is a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a hard mouth and a supercilious manner. Two shiny arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward…. It was a body capable of enormous leverage—a cruel body（Fitzgerald， 9）. However， Gatsby is a gentleman with an understanding smile and a modest air around him. He always speaks in a polite manner and doesnt want any trouble with anybody. Toms foul tongue humiliates himself in the presence of Gatsbys courtesy.

On the other hand， people like Tom and Daisy dwarf in front of Gatsby. “Tom and Daisy have neither dream nor aspiration for their life. The only matter bothering them is how to spend the time as Daisy cries：‘Whatll we do with ourselves this afternoon？And the day after that， and the next thirty years？”（Fitzgerald， 65） Nevertheless， Gatsby has been running out of breath after his American Dream. He values self-made success and builds up his wealth with his own hands. On the contrary， Toms value is commensurate with hedonism. “He sucks on his inherited money， squanders at his own will and takes the enjoyed privileges for granted.”（金莉， 秦亞青， 142页）

In short， whereas Tom appears arrogant， pretentious and aggressive， Gatsby is modest， honest and amiable. Whereas Tom and Daisy plot to evade the responsibility， Gatsby heroically takes up the consequences. Gatsbys dedication to his ideal outrivals their meanness and depravity.

IV. Conclusion

Gatsby has come a long way from the West to the East. Underneath his rough appearance lies his romantic ideal， pure good wishes and his consistent pursuit of that ideal. His entire life dwells on a noble aspiration. His unswerving belief， strong hope in every possibility and his innocence rivets him in his ideal world of goodness and purity， and presses him to build up a “paradise” in the corrupted society. Gatsbys life is no tragedy. Gatsby in tears and blood rolls out a dramatic heroic epic in the Dollar Age. Thanks to Fitzgerald， we have the opportunity to see with our own eyes the marvelous scene—the greatness buried in an ordinary yet unusual westerner.

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作者简介：孙金丹（1982-），女，汉族，江苏靖江人，硕士，讲师，主要从事英语语言文学及英汉翻译研究。