Essay on The Great Gatsby Tragic Hero - 2634 Words

The Great Gatsby- Tragic Hero It is believed by some that potential and greatness is innate for every individual born, yet it takes time for it to be discovered. For certain individuals, this greatness is interchangeable with heroism, which is the basis of every great story. In the novel The Great Gatsby written by Scott Fitzgerald, a man by the name of Jay Gatsby was no less than the greatness which accompanied his name. He was a noble man with an outstanding persona that left a deep mark after his passing. An exceptional being with infinite potential, who dreamt of nothing but personal success and whose very own ambitious trait worked to his disadvantage. Gatsby destroyed himself with the strength of his own hands and his existence†¦show more content†¦He was a son of God...† (98). Gatsby had been an idealistic individual from a young age, but his ideals were also his motive. He embodied whatever ideal or vision he had for himself, therefore creating his own identity. Because Gatsby had the poten tial to morph into the new person which suited his ideals, he proved to be an exceptionally unique individual who differs from the average man. Also, the prominent comparison between Gatsby and Jesus Christ further illuminates the true greatness of Gatsby. Regardless of one’s beliefs, it is difficult to deny the influence of such powerful religious figures, such as Christ himself or even Gatsby’s. Gatsby’s ability to create his own identity similar to Christ, who made himself the son of God, is very significant to give a better understanding of Gatsby’s extraordinary stature. It is also evocatively mentioned by the narrator that Gatsby had â€Å"something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life...† (2) Gatsby had heightened hopes and desire for everything life had to offer him and he seized every opportunity which presented itself. This realization of life’s promises is what kept him alert and focused on what he expected out of his future. Being keen and eager proved to have its positive outcomes; for James Gatz became the great Gatsby. Although imperfections areShow MoreRelatedEssay Jay Gatsby: The Tragic Hero in The Great Gatsby1332 Words   |  6 PagesAristotle, a tragic hero character can be defined to be of noble status, but not necessarily virtuous. There is some aspect of his personality that he has in great abundance but it is this that becomes his tragic flaw and leads to his ultimate demise. However, his tragic ending should not simply sadden the reader, but teach him or her a life lesson. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is the tragic hero who portrays the corruption of the American dream through his tragic flaw. HisRead More Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby and the Tragic Hero Essay977 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby and the Tragic Hero      Ã‚  Ã‚   Aristotle invented a list of criteria in an attempt to determine the exact definition of a tragic hero.   The list states the following - the tragic hero must cause his own down fall; the tragic heros fate is undeserved; the tragic heros punishment exceeds his crime; the tragic hero must be a great and noble person according to the standards of the current society.   In Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby can be defined as a tragic hero who possessesRead More Jay Gatsby as Tragic Hero of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay974 Words   |  4 PagesJay Gatsby as Tragic Hero of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby According to Aristotle, there are a number of characteristics that identify a tragic hero: he must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. These are all characteristics of Jay Gatsby, the main character of Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby.   Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero according to Aristotles definition.  Ã‚   Jay Gatsby is an enormouslyRead MoreTo What Extent Can Gatsby Be Considered a Tragic Hero?1023 Words   |  5 Pagesextent can Gatsby be considered a tragic hero? Before we can judge if Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero, we should look at the exact deï ¬ nition of a tragic hero. According to the classic deï ¬ nition, a tragic hero is a  «great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat »1, and Oedipus, from the Greek Legends, is deï ¬ ned as the classic tragic hero. So, is Gatsby then a classic tragic hero, by deï ¬ nition? ! Even if the book itself is called  «Great Gatsby », is JayRead MoreTo What Extent Can Gatsby Be Considered a Tragic Hero?1014 Words   |  5 Pagescan Gatsby be considered a tragic hero? Before we can judge if Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero, we should look at the exact deï ¬ nition of a tragic hero. According to the classic deï ¬ nition, a tragic hero is a  «great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat »1, and Oedipus, from the Greek Legends, is deï ¬ ned as the classic tragic hero. So, is Gatsby then a classic tragic hero, by deï ¬ nition? ! Even if the book itself is called  «Great Gatsby », isRead MoreEssay on Jay Gatsby: A Tragic Hero1084 Words   |  5 Pages (Aristotle) The â€Å"tragic hero† is an indefatigable staple in all mediums of literature. Although the term’s defining characteristics have morphed since its initial inception by Aristotle those many millennia ago, the main idea has endured. To be a tragic hero, several requirements must be met. The formula begins with a character that possesses noble and admirable qualities. Then come imperfections to make him appear human and believable, and finally the tragic hero is completed when he experiencesRead MoreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald821 Words   |  3 Pages The Great Gatsby Rough Draft The Japanese ideology of Kiazen is the idea of continuous improvement and change for the best. This idea is a Japanese idea that found its way into the Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby and is more than just the simple Japanese idea. It is the ‘Americanized version of the concept where the characters in The Great Gatsby seek out their American dream but the as they grow closer to achieving the goal, the goal eludes them and their Dream changes. The Great GatsbyRead MoreThe Secret Life Of Jay Gatsby1632 Words   |  7 PagesThe Secret Life of Jay Gatsby The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is meticulously written to portray characters as soul sucking, money thriving, moral lacking individuals who are thrashed by his language, and scrupulous descriptions. Gatsby is depicted as a suave, cordial, and prosperous gentleman who is trying to raise himself in the ranks of riches, and approval. At first glance, it is hard to tell if there is a clear hero, or someone with qualities thereof; at least in the traditional senseRead MoreEssay Outline Introduction: ANT A=Attention Getter: N=Necessary Information: In â€Å"The Great700 Words   |  3 PagesGetter: N=Necessary Information: In â€Å"The Great Gatsby,† by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick Carroway, the narrator, has recently moved from the midwest to start his career in New York. He lives on the island of West Egg, next door to a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby. Nick becomes friends with him and learns that Gatsby is in love with his cousin Daisy. They never married because Gatsby had to go off into the military and he was not rich enough for her, so when Gatsby was shipped overseas, Daisy married anotherRead MoreLiterary Research Paper: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott1100 Words   |  5 PagesLiterary Research Paper: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald is known as America’s great novel, â€Å"The Great Gatsby is a classic piece of American fiction. It is a novel of triumph and tragedy, noted for the remarkable way Fitzgerald captured a cross-section of American society.†(Cliffsnotes Editor) The novel is set in New York City, more specifically in long island; East Egg and West Egg, during the prohibition era in the 1920’s and was then published