LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 15:6 June 2015
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Love and Money:
An Analysis of The Great Gatsby

Selvi Bunce


Obsessed with Wealth and Social Standing

Although some may classify The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald as a love story, there is doubt as to whether or not Gatsby was actually in love. As a man obsessed with wealth and social standing, Gatsby had little space in his mind, let alone his heart, for anything else. As one reads this novel, it is easy to see everything Gatsby does to obtain his classic 1920’s golden girl, Daisy. However, his motives must be questioned. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s obsession with becoming upper class, alongside his twisted sense of self worth, bring to question whether or not Gatsby really does love Daisy.

Identity Crisis

Since he was a boy, Gatsby had always struggled with his identity, especially his social class. Even as a child, he felt like he deserved more than what he had been allotted. When describing Gatsby’s true background, the narrator states “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people- his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all.” (Fitzgerald 98). This innate discomfort within his own family is exactly what makes Gatsby the falsely confident and truly insecure man he becomes.

Focus of Gatsby’s Life

Gatsby’s entire life revolved around making more out of himself, in terms of wealth. He would not feel successful until he had accomplished his goals exactly as he pictured them. Daisy, the wealthy girl of his dreams, was simply a necessary part of the picture. Not only was Daisy just a part of Gatsby’s plan, but she was also integral to his own self confidence and confirmation. Gatsby’s real name was James Gatz. According to Nick, “The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island sprang from his Platonic conception of himself.” (Fitzgerald 98).

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Selvi Bunce
C/o. languageinindia@gmail.com
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