The Role Of Optimism In The Great Gatsby

The tragedy of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan is a sad and meaningful story. Their love and desire for each other lead to the inevitable downfall and death of Gatsby. It is shown that, through the love story of Gatsby and Daisy, Fitzgerald demonstrates his disregard for reality.

Gatsby’s unfailing devotion reveals his ability to see a light at the end of the tunnel. When Nick begins to doubt Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship he is told by Gatsby, “can’t repeat the past… why of course you can,” (Fitz 110). Gatsby strongly believes in repeating the past and never lets anything stand in his way to get what he wants. His desire to relive what happened over five years ago is almost unrealistic. Especially considering that Gatsby is supposedly dead

The day after him and Tom’s argument, Gatsby reassures Nick by believing, “I suppose Daisy’ll call,” (Fitz 154). The ignorant mind of Gatsby allows for him to believe after everything that happened between Tom and Daisy following the death of Myrtle, would let him still have a chance to win over Daisy. The pure obliviousness of this statement displays Gatsby’s unbearable optimism which will ultimately lead to his loss of Daisy and death. Gatsby had many gifts, but his most treasured is his, “extraordinary gift for hope,” (Fitz 2). The power of optimism is both beautiful and dangerous. In Gatsby’s case he is optimistic to the point of being dangerous. Gatsby is character with no regard for realistic views and has a dream like state in everything he does. He fails to grasp reality and lives in world where he controls everything. Gatsby’s limitless love for Daisy again is shown after Myrtle’s death when Gatsby decides, “I want to wait here until Daisy goes to bed,” (Fitz 145). Again here Gatsby’s failure to accept defeat is displayed. Gatsby can’t put the fact of losing Daisy into his mind, so he creepily keeps an eye on her as an act of desperation which will turn into the last time he will ever see