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Who Is The Protagonist In The Great Gatsby

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Although Nick Carraway plays an important role in the novel as the narrator and also a participant, it is clear that Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, is the most important character of them all. Our first impression of Gatsby is filled with mystery and he has an almost god-like way about him. He is famous and popular, but no one knows where his wealth came from, leaving room for much speculation. However, when we really get to know him, we find he is a friendly, personable man. Gatsby has a very charming personality, and Nick describes it as being ‘gorgeous’ despite the gaudy mansion and loud parties. His smile is described as ‘one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it’ (Fitzgerald, 52). He is always at the height …show more content…

Gatsby has another side to him - he is a very ambitious and motivated person. This is epitomized by the strict daily regimen he imposed on himself at a young age. He was never satisfied with his status-quo and worked tirelessly for a lifestyle better than the one he was born into, a dream that came into reality. Throughout the novel, we see Gatsby as a ‘flat’ character, his character does not develop, as Nick’s does. His self-image was set in stone at age 17, when he changed his name and persona from Jimmy Gatz to Jay Gatsby. This new person he became didn’t grow or develop throughout his life. His lack of personal growth is evident in his ambitions and dreams. His selfless devotion towards Daisy shows us that, despite his age, he is still an idealistic, romantic teenager at heart. Daisy is his ‘raison d’etre’, his motivation, the reason why he accumulates such wealth, lives where he does, throws his great parties and buys ‘beautiful shirts’. Everything he ever did since they met was to please her and win her over. However, from the point where Gatsby finally meets her again, we see that it was all a delusion, akin to the ‘American Dream’. Gatsby has believed for his entire life that with enough money, you can do amazing things - bring back the past and keep moments frozen in time. This kind of romantic idealism and selfless devotion for love gives the reader a sense of sympathy for Gatsby. Even though he is in illegal business, that whole side of him

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