The Great Gatsby Quote Analysis

You cannot recreate the past. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby tries to fulfill his American Dream by recreating the past. In the end, he dies and never actually reaches his American Dream. F. Scott Fitzgerald believed the American Dream was never achievable. He wrote this story to showcase the American Dream in a way that would reflect the ideas of everyday life. At the end of the book, the narrator (Nick Carraway) says, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” The significance of this quote is presented in the novel by the characters’ desire to have the past, through nostalgia, but also inspiration. When World War l started, Jay Gatsby was called to serve. Before he left, he and Daisy had planned to remain together when he returned. Unfortunately, Gatsby was unable to return and Daisy ended up marrying Tom Buchanan. Ever since then, Gatsby has been trying to recreate the past and bring them back together again. Nick says to Gatsby, “You can't repeat the past.” Gatsby replies, “Why of course you can!” He insists that he can

It suggests that the past is not necessarily a burden, but rather a source of inspiration. You could even say, “Characters pursue visions of the future that are determined by their pasts…” By looking in the past, we can learn from our mistakes and memories and create a better future. For example, “Daisy, unlike Gatsby, is ultimately able to face reality and live in the present.” That is why Daisy can move on while Gatsby goes on to die. Additionally, the quote suggests that we should not be afraid to take risks and try new things, even if they seem difficult or impossible. We shouldn’t dwell on the past, rather make a better future, keep moving forward, and learn as we go. Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby to inspire others, but also show them the American Dream. We wanted to show people his own struggles throughout the character of