Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.  It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . and one fine morning—

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

In trying to realize the American dream and improve our lives, we strive to propel ourselves ahead of time to reach closer to the ideal future that we seek. On the other hand, we cannot part entirely with the past, either: the things we do, the way we think, and the goals we dream of are all bound by our past experiences, and, no mater how hard we strive to become the person that we wish to be, it is impossible to get rid of our past identities or who we really are. The harder we try to reach that goal and gain happiness, the goal moves farther and farther away, and true happiness cannot be attained. In our lifelong, vain efforts to control the passage of time to grasp the future or forever remain in the happy memories of the past, we are constantly struck with the impossibility of mankind and struggle in the reality which the haunting, self-created image of the ideal forbids us to find happiness in.

Here’s a poem I found by Mary Oliver called “In Blackwater Woods”. I thought it related to the characters in The Great Gatsby, especially to Jay Gatsby: In Blackwater Woods

He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass.  A new world, material without being real, where poor ghosts, breathing dreams like air, drifted fortuitously about . . . like that ashen, fantastic figure gliding toward him through the amorphous trees.

The above was Nick’s speculation on what Gatsby’s final thoughts must have been, after witnessing his dead body. After continuing to be in denial of the fact that his dream of winning Daisy -his American dream- was dead, he finally realized as death approached that his life had been nothing but empty illusions created by his materialistic goal of gaining wealth and status. The “rose” in the above quote is symbolic of Daisy: while roses usually symbolize beauty, it is only because people associate certain feelings or values with them that they consider roses beautiful. Daisy was a rose for Gatsby: she meant so much for Gatsby only because he gave her a certain meaning by associating her with wealth and prosperity and making her the absolute goal of his American dream. Had Gatsby not given her so much sentimental value, she would have only been a young, pretty, rich girl who lacked fidelity or moral strength.

Nick’s quote reminded me of a story I read in Short Fiction last year called “The Swimmer” by John Cheever, in which a man living in suburban America comes to a realization that over time, his life had turned into fake illusions and true happiness had disappeared. If anyone feels like reading: The Swimmer

Human sympathy has its limits, and we were content ot let all their tragic arguments fade with the city lights behind.

The quote above was found in Nick’s narration on the ride from New York City back to Long Island, after Gatsby and Tom Buchanan finally discussed and argued about Gatsby’s affair with Daisy and where Daisy’s true feelings lay. After having seen all the drama in the suite room, Nick remembers that it was his thirtieth birthday and realizes that, in the end, he could pretty much care less how the confrontation goes anymore, despite having used to enjoy every moment of it ever since he found out about both Tom’s and Daisy’s extramarital affairs.

The quote above relates to the American character because it reveals the fickleness of the American mind (in one moment, an obsession takes over the mind, until when one realizes that the obsession is no longer entertaining as it once was and abandons it to go look for something new), as well as the human nature that, in the end, personal interest and needs comes before anything. Nick’s remark reminded me of how Americans united and almost unanimously supported the Bush administration immediately after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. Although this incident wasn’t in any way just a personal obsession, how national security became every American’s top priority, a sentiment of patriotism spread quickly all across the United States,  and how such sentiment faded and disappeared after people realized that they had other personal things to worry about corresponds to the way Nick acted towards the extramarital affairs between Tom and Myrtle and Daisy and Gatsby.

“By God, I maybe old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me. They meet all kinds of crazy fish.”

Tom said the above quote to Nick after Gatsby had just told him that he and Daisy know each other. The quote reveals that Tom is not only an arrogant, conceited filthy-rich man but also a hypocrite who criticizes everyone around him for doing things that he would allow himself to do; he overlooks his relationship with Myrtle even though he denounces Daisy and Gatsby (the “crazy fish”). The quote also suggests Tom’s being protective of Daisy and jealous of Gatsby. If Daisy doesn’t “suit” him because of her love for Gatsby, he could simply get rid of her by getting a divorce. However, the fact that he only acts like he wants a divorce (when he is with Myrtle and her group of friends) but doesn’t shows his love for Daisy.

The quote relates to how the American character is reflected in American literature: the more power and wealth a person gains, the more lenient or easy he/she becomes on herself & the more critical he/she becomes of others who seem to be enjoying their lives more than him/her.

As I went over to say good-by I saw that the expression of bewilderment had come back into Gatsby’s face, as though a faint doubt had occurred to him as to the quality of his present happiness.  Almost five years!  There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams—not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion.  It had gone beyond her, beyond everything.  He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way.  No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart.

I found the passage above very interesting. Gatsby had sought Daisy’s love all these years and had imagined and fantasied his life with Daisy. As his fantasies grew, so did his personal image of Daisy. The Daisy he had idealized in his mind had grown to be a completely different person than she actually is, to an extent that, despite finally being with the love of his life, he wasn’t as happy or satisfied as he thought he would be to be with her. The thoughts he had of her had skewed and distorted who Daisy was to him, and even the real Daisy who he had wanted for so long could no longer satisfy his desires. On the other hand, Daisy had completely given up her desire to be with Jay. Her decision to get married with Tom even after she heard from him the day of their wedding shows that she had parted from him and the romance of her youth. Even after she had met Jay at Nick’s house, she tried to hide her emotions and make the meeting as awkward as possible so as not to fall in love again. However, because this relationship was something totally unexpected for her, she became so ecstatic and moved once her feelings took over and the relationship worked out.

I believe this passage relates to our central idea of the American character: no matter how hard one strives for the American dream–to have and do anything one desires and to achieve ultimate happiness–, one can never become completely happy or satisfied with oneself because there’s no such thing as absolute happiness. One may feel that he/she can gain happiness by finally attaining something he/she has striven to gain; however, as soon as one goal is achieved, another desire appears. Such desires never end, and one continues to chase them only to realize that true happiness is unattainable. Becoming tired from working hard to achieve those goals, one gives up realizing that, in the end, he/she had made himself/herself unhappy.

Here’s a page on happiness I found from a website that talks about the Buddhist religion. I thought the part from “Some thinkers” to “will never get it” (starting and ending with the parts in blue) are relevant to Gatsby’s thoughts on his happiness: What is Happiness?

“He’s afraid, he’s waited so long. He thought you might be offended. You see, he’s a regular tough underneath it all.”

The quote above shows Jay Gatsby’s personality very well: although very down-to-earth and estimable, he is timid and too scared to do anything and take risks of losing something that is precious to him. He treasures his memories with Daisy and wishes to be with her again, but doesn’t want to approach her straight-forwardly. His actions and intentions toward Daisy may even be called cowardly. Although he is a very nice, respected man who seems to have confidence in himself, he is too afraid to take the one step that will most likely be a success (Daisy is very likely to love him in return as well, considering the fact she’s well aware of Tom’s affair with Myrtle) and will bring him great happiness. Tom, on the other hand, is not a nice person, but is a boastful, conceited man who only lives to serve his own interest. Contrary to Gatsby, Tom takes risks to gain his happiness: he openly admits his relationship with Myrtle. In reality, Tom is probably more insecure and more of a coward than Gatsby; however, their actions show the opposite.

I believe this quote relates to the American character because it is generally those who are modest and aware of themselves who are too afraid to do anything rash that could result in a loss; those who are insecure, full of themselves and feel that they need to have so many possessions to prove themselves worthy will take risks to gain whatever he/she wants (and feels he/she must have).

Here’s an image that I thought illustrated very well the feelings Jay Gatsby has for Daisy Buchanan: image

“Anyhow, he gives large parties,” said Jordan, changing the subject with an urbane distaste for the concrete.  “And I like large parties.  They’re so intimate.  At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”

I found the quote above very interesting. Jordan Baker’s comment on the relationship between the relative size and intimacy of a party seems contradicting at first. However, her statement is actually very true.There was close to no privacy at the small party Myrtle hosted in her apartment in the last chapter; everyone there heard what everyone else said, and there were no secrets whatsoever about Myrtle and Tom’s cheating on their spouses. However, at this huge party hosted by Gatsby, there were so many people and so much noise everywhere that one could have a private conversation with people he/she choose to talk with. Therefore, this seemingly-contradicting statement is a paradox.

I chose this quote because I felt that it reflected very well the contradictory nature of the lives some characters in this book live.  Daisy and Tom Buchanan’s lives are nothing like they appear on the outside. Although he isn’t an estimable person, Tom is still an amazingly rich, well-respected (or rather, feared) man. Many people envy him for his wealth, social status, manliness and his beautiful wife. Some may even be jealous of him for the sheer fact that he has so many ladies around him. On the other hand, Daisy is all a girl would ever want to be: a rich, smart, beautiful wife of a very wealthy husband.  On the outside, their lives seem like the best anyone would ever live. However, in reality, the two live fake lives and are nowhere near being as happy and satisfied with their lives as they appear.

“You see,” cried Catherine triumphantly. She lowered her voice again. “It’s really his wife that’s keeping them apart. She’s a Catholic, and they don’t believe in divorce.” Daisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie. (33)

Catherine, a sister of Myrtle Wilson (Tom’s mistress who is also married), tells Nick this apparent lie at the party, where he witnesses Tom and Myrtle openly cheating on their spouses. As disgusted as he is by this affair which his own cousin is a victim of, he is so fascinated by the sight of this relationship and the accepting manner in which the people at the party (Catherin and Mr. and Mrs. McKee) view them that he doesn’t wish to leave the party.

I believe the above quote relates to the question of how American literature reflects the American character because it shows that, no matter what or how serious the problem, it is completely fine and one should do absolutely nothing to stop it as long as he/she is benefiting in some way from it. Nick obviously disapproves of Tom’s extramarital affair with Myrtle. However, the fact that he doesn’t want to offend or anger Tom isn’t the only reason why he doesn’t openly dispute it. He actually enjoys observing this relationship, and is curious to see how things will all turn out. Tom could always get divorced if he wanted to; however, the only reason he doesn’t is because he benefits from having a wife like Daisy who is well-bred and educated. She would be more socially acceptable as his wife than Myrtle, whose family is no where as rich as Daisy’s (her husband works in the valley of ashes) and is street-smart and seductive but not intelligent. On the other hand, Daily doesn’t get a divorce (even though she isn’t a Catholic as Tom and Myrtle tell people she is) even though her husband is blatantly cheating on her because she benefits from having a handsome, rich husband. Being a beautiful socialite with an amazingly wealthy husband, she is all a woman could ever hope to be–at least according to the way society views her. Therefore in no way would she want to get rid of that social status, even if it means that she must compromise her happiness and accept her husband’s infidelity.

As disgusted as I am by the complicated love-triangle among Tom, Daisy, and Myrtle, I don’t blame them (and Nick) for acting the way they do and not doing anything to make things right. They’re simply trying to live life the way they think is best for them: Nick finds joy and excitement in observing this affair, and wishes only to be a spectator (he wants to remain an outsider and doesn’t want to become involved) because he doesn’t want trouble to come his way; Tom thinks that a beautiful, intelligent wife is worth having even if he didn’t love or want her; Daisy chooses her social status and wealth over true happiness and a loving husband; and Myrtle only tries to make her life better by having a rich patron who buys her absolutely anything she wants.

Valerie did her blog on the same quote I picked, and her views are different from mine in that she criticizes Tom and Myrtle for cheating on their spouses: Val’s Blog

” ‘All right,’ I said, ‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.’ ” (17)

Daisy Buchanans says the above to Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story, after he had learned of Tom Buchanans’ affair with another woman. The quote above relates to our question of how American literature reflects the American character, because it clearly defines what is expected of a women in the American society. The Great Gatsby takes place during the summer of 1922, not too long after women gained suffrage in 1920. However, the suffrage movement had actually begun a lot earlier, in 1848 when the Seneca Falls Convention was held in New York. The movement had faced many struggles, mostly due to American men’s reluctance to give their wives voting rights and the socially-accepted view that women shouldn’t be given such rights. In this story, Daisy Buchanans appears as a young woman who is apparently too intelligent and observant of her surroundings that she can’t help but to think too much about everything and make her own life miserable by doing so. Being beautiful, she could have been the “beautiful little fool” had she only been not as bright as she is. Then, she would have been able to simply love the life she has with an amazingly rich husband.

The notion that young, pretty girls are better off not being smart remains popular to this day. On TV, in movies and in books, it is almost always the dumb blond cheerleader who are always surrounded by guys. These stereotypical girls, obsessing over their broken nails or their boyfriends, seem as though they’re having so much more fun in life than other types of girls who actually care about grades and college. Over the years, this idea has led some girls to stop caring about their responsibilities as students. This has led to other stereotypes, including the one saying that girls don’t do as well in math as boys do. It is not a coincidence that male students greatly outnumber female students in engineering schools nationwide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

The fact that Miss South Carolina won 3rd place at the Miss Teen Beauty Pageant 2007 after saying things like this shows that, despite all the struggle females had gone though to overcome the stereotype and gain respect from males for their intelligence, the American society today still loves vacuous girls and the popular notion remains true.