... The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald portrays how the American dream of success had withered until at times it was nothing more than greedy desire. The sanguine American dream that had turned no one away and had given all an equal opportunity for happiness and success was no longer. Through use of his main character, Jay Gatsby, and through various symbols in the novel, Fitzgerald develops his sketch of the demise of American society. Jay Gatsby ... person and which it is likely I shall never find again" (179). Evidence of Gatsby's early expectations of himself was discovered by Gatsby's father...

• Word Count: 1190
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... study. The conversation was not going anywhere, and I felt I had to help him somehow. Taking a shot at cheering him up, I explained to him that people have to learn to set reasonable goals for themselves, trying not to stretch their capabilities. Not only did he feel better, but I was relieved as well, knowing he understood the error of his ways. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Jay Gatsby ... through and ends up being emotionally distraught because of his extreme expectations for life. With this in mind, one may see an aspiration as an impossible feat, while others the same asp...

• Word Count: 964
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the superficial level, The Great Gatsby tells the story of a young middle class man who happens to get mixed up in the chaotic affairs of his wealthy cousin and neighbor. F. Scott Fitzgerald's story of life in the 1920s is much more than it appears to be, though. Even such things as the colors used in description play a crucial part in the "big picture" of the entire novel. Symbolism adds a whole other level of comprehension to the ... story. Even from the smallest pieces of the puzzle, this symbolism broadens the view of what the "big picture" of the novel actually is. These pieces of t...

• Word Count: 988
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School