Annette Hanshaw's Influence On The Great Gatsby

He gave her nothing, she gave him all…

He got a break and went away to get a new start

But poor kid, she never got a break

Except the one way down in her heart (Hanshaw).

Popular Jazz Age radio star, Annette Hanshaw, wrote these lyrics in “True Blue Lou.” The Jazz Age was a time period in the 1920s; this period changed and grew American rapidly. The idea of individuality engendered during this era. Because the idea of individual assertion sprouted, American citizens became independent and built their lives based on the conceptions of this time. The Jazz Age conjured conceptions of wealth and party life. Hanshaw performed this song during this era. Hanshaw’s lyrics portray a love story; this excerpt displays the varying angles within a relationship.

Although Gatsby cannot see it, Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s friend, can see the inalienable effect his past has on Daisy. Fitzgerald wrote, “He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to causal moths so that he could ‘come over’ some afternoon to a stranger’s garden” (Fitzgerald 78). After all these years without seeing Daisy, Gatsby concocts a perfect plan to reunite with her. As much as Gatsby wants Daisy, he cannot make her feel the way she once did. Fitzgerald wrote, “’You can’t repeat the past.’… ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’” (110). Gatsby never loses hope of Daisy loving him back. Because of Gatsby’s impoverish upbringing, he is never taken seriously or able to outgrow his stereotype. Tom says, “’Self- control!... I supposed the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife’” (130). Tom refers to Gatsby as if he is nothing. Though Gatsby’s wealth has grown, he will never amount to much in the eyes of those aware of his past. Gatsby’s past undermines his effort to reach his American

The notoriously known American Dream takes dedication and perseverance to accomplish. Gatsby shows determination throughout this novel; however, his circumstances play a toll on his ability to obtain his dream. In Gatsby’s case, he is trying to accomplish the impossible; he has a visionary outlook on the American Dream. Gatsby is unsuccessful in his effort to obtain his American Dream in the sense of love; however, he successfully obtains his American Dream in the sense of wealth. Gatsby’s partial failure does not mean the American Dream is impossible to accomplish. One can achieve one’s American Dream and become whatever they want to be; it is imperative that one looks at life with an open mind and never gives