In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”, Jay Gatsby is undoubtedly a complex character. The

title of the novel leaves room for a double interpretation, or at least a question: “Is Gatsby great? In what

way?” The answer to that question all depends on how one views the American Dream, and by extension,

capitalism. If one chooses to espouse the qualities embraced by the American Dream, mostly defined by

one word - opportunity - then the character of Gatsby can be seen as a great man. The American Dream

implies that anyone can become anything through a steady program of innovation, initiative, and hard

work. Gatsby builds an empire for himself; he achieves wealth through industrious activity, using the

chain of supply and demand during Prohibition. In analyzing Gatsby’s actions in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, it is evident that he is admirable in his chase for the green light, using the pillars of the American Dream as the means to his ends.

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     Gatsby’s most notable trait is without a doubt his mass wealth. He is known as one of the richest men in all of New York, flaunting his money by throwing parties for all to attend. Though the author builds suspicion around how Gatsby had earned his riches for a majority of the novel, it is later revealed that he had done so in a span of 5 short years through the illegal sale of alcohol. This is evidence of the first pillar of the American Dream: a place where a poor man can become wealthy. Gatsby’s ability to redefine his economic status in a short period of time is a representation of his passion for attaining Daisy. He knew that he would not be able to see the green light, in both a metaphorical and physical sense, if not for his house across the bay. This passion for the green light led him down a path of illegal activity, putting his life and freedom on the line, for a final shot at his dream. The author also compares Gatsby’s luxurious lifestyle to the Valley of Ashes, a place desolate of success. Strategically placed between West and East Egg, Fitzgerald uses these coal mines as an insight on what Gatsby’s life could have been, if not for his risk-taking behaviour. This further enforces the idea of the American Dream and its dependence on wealth and the risks needed to achieve it.

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     One of the most prevalent themes in the novel is Fitzgerald’s constant comparison between the two parties who make up the wealthy population of New York; those who had built their wealth from the ground up and those who inherited their riches. The major difference between the two is that those who had gone through trials of pain in their life had a better understanding of virtue. This leads into the second pillar of the American Dream: a place where a sinner can be virtuous. It is not a secret that Gatsby has had his fair share of sin. Though his pursuit of Daisy and the green light may be justified by love, he is nonetheless participating in an affair, a sin in the eyes of God. Some may argue that these sinful acts would disqualify him from being a true representation of the American Dream, as he cannot be a virtuous sinner. Although this may discredit one who has already completed their life goals, Gatsby is only portrayed as a man in pursuit of his dreams. The reader learns that Gatsby’s utopia is a world where he is married to Daisy, living a life of love and passion. In this world, there is no room for sin as his reward for capturing the green light is a rest for his previous existence. One of the virtues of a capitalistic society is wealth attained through hard work. Gatsby fits this description through his industrious work ethic. This brings us to the realization that Gatsby is a complex character; on one hand he fits the virtue of a capitalistic society, having achieved his wealth through hard work. On the other hand, his industrious projects are connected to illegal activities, ultimately showing us that Gatsby is not perfect and still on the path to grasping the green light. 

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     Gatsby’s ability to redefine his existence allows for the final pillar of the American Dream to be built; a place where a person can be born again. His tragic beginnings in North Dakota made it almost impossible for a chance at a successful future, but his perseverance and thirst for the green light were a driving force in achieving his goals. His own portrayal of himself as the son of God allowed him to believe that his goals were always in reach. This is a direct representation of the American individual, as each person believes that they have an equal opportunity for glory. A very evident symbol of Gatsby’s transformation is the fact that he changed his name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby. This demonstrates that in the context of American society, one has opportunities to redefine their identity. A name is the strongest indicator of one’s identity, and therefore, Gatsby changing his name is a direct representation of the drastic changes he applied to his life. Without this change of self, Gatsby would have never been able to pursue his “green light”.

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     By examining Gatsby within the context of the three pillars of the American Dream, namely: a place where a sinner can be virtuous, a place where a poor man can become wealthy, and a place where an individual can be born again, one can conclude that he is, indeed, a great man. Gatsby attains the pinnacle of these three standards. By succeeding in attaining wealth on his own, going through hardship and reaching material success, Gatsby can be seen as a sinner who becomes virtuous. His virtue lies in his relentless pursuit of opportunity through his hard work. His humble beginnings do not impede on the outcome of his life; he is the classic example of rags to riches. Finally, Gatsby creates an entirely new identity for himself; he is the quintessential self-made American man. He changes his name, erasing his past and builds his life, his house, and his sense of self from the ground up through accumulation of wealth and pursuit of his goals. These achievements are hard won and not to be frowned upon. In these ways, Gatsby can be considered a “great” character.

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