The Great Gatsby was written by an American author called F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book tells a story about Jay Gatsby and his pursuit of love and wealth. Among the many conflicts that Gatsby faces, one crucial problem holds the basis of the whole story. Gatsby has complications with his fate.
Gatsby was born indigent, but he gets involved in the bootlegging business and strives to become wealthy. He soon became a self-made ‘nouveau riche’, which indicates the newly rich people. Moreover, Gatsby is not from an aristocratic family background, unlike Daisy Buchanan who was born affluent; he is a self-made millionaire. His background and current life as a millionaire indicate that Gatsby and Daisy have different social classes but share a similar financial status. Later on, this difference foreshadows that their love cannot come true. Gatsby is not on the same path as Daisy, and the two will eventually end up on different pathways according to fate.
Gatsby also gets framed for Daisy’s wrongdoings. Daisy accidentally hit Myrtle, but Tom Buchannan, spouse of Daisy Buchannan, and Daisy Buchannan falsely accuse Gatsby of the accident. Eventually, he gets murdered by the husband of Myrtle Wilson due to a misunderstanding. Next to him, only Nick remained; Daisy betrays Gatsby.
In conclusion, Gatsby could not achieve his ultimate goal of true wealth and love because he faced the insuperable barrier of his fate. He was a ‘nouveau riche’, albeit he could not belong to the same social class as Tom and Daisy. The tragic, predetermined fate of Gatsby is rather dismal to learn.
By. Minjung Kwon