The tragic man----about the Great Gatsby In the eye of Nick or most readers, Gatsby is great. As a child, he dreamed of wealth and luxury, and he has attained them with his own power. But as for me, Gatsby is great,for his tragedy.
In the whole life of Gatsby, he has persued two things, one is spiritual comfort, Daisy; the other is materialism. However, what he is always longing for, at last, becomes illusions.
Five years ago, Gatsby felt helplessly in love with Daisy when he was a young officer in WWI. But Daisy married Tom for his wealth. Since then, Gatsby decided to win his love and his success in whatever ways. But the glamour and excitement of American life has affected Daisy a lot. She has become materialistic, vain and selfish. Gatsby has made a wrong choice at first for his “want” never exists.
“Her voice is full of money.” Gatsby is clear about reality and is capable of recognizing Daisy’s nature. I am lost in silence. He knew Daisy was not previous, but he can’t get rid of his dreams. So he had to cheat himself and found many excuses for Daisy’s amoral behaviours. “Five years next November.” For five years he is alone to run after a dream which not longer exists. Poor Gatsby! His lonliness was typical in the vivid picture of the modern America in that era. His romaticism is that he has devoted all his “magic” to
an image, which leads to his ultimate destruction.
If Gatsby’s spiritual comfort is a bubble, his material persuit can also be concluded as a fail. There exists a national ethos of USA in which freedom includes a promise of possibility of properity and success. “Life should be better, richer, fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability regardless of circumstance of birth.” Gatsby hold this belief firmly in his heart. He had had strict demands on himself and cultivated good habits in his youth. But it was impossible to become wealthy without illegal trade, which at least prove true at that era in America. Being a bootleggers, he made a fortune, even though there was a law that forbade selling and drinking of alcolhol.
If the whole society was not in the wrong way to seek fortune, fame and power, then Gatsby wouldn’t have done these criminal activities. This likes a scam. Gatsby seemed to be a piece of the checkboard of American society. At last, he became very rich, but the upper old class, well bred and far more refined, didn’t accept him.
Tom’s shameless affairs, Myrtle’s violent death caused by Daisy, Gatsby’s framde killed, these crimes went unpunished. Older generation, like Tom and Daisy, would just be “careless”, no fear, no judgement. Social orders has developed the benefit of classes
rather than simple human being.
I witness Gatsby’s kingdom became foam. The world of parties, bright lights, heavy drinking and jazz music, suddenly disappeared, turned into disillusion. Gatsby’s life is like a leaf floated onto the ground, covered by the dirt, quietly.
What is tragedy? As Lu Xun said, “Tragedy is valuable thing that is doomed to be destroyed and we see the process of its destruction, doing nothing.” Whatever the wealth and Daisy had brougt to Gatsby, one thing is clear, he feels neither peace nor any real pleasure. His attempt to fulfill his simple beautiful dream is like a boat rowing against the current. I can’t help clapping for his persistence. In a basis of sense, he is like a worshipper before a shrine.
By 31008122 陈妙玲
第二篇：reading response paper#2
潘同庆 2015013057
Class 2015-06
Language and Literature
Ms.Guo
24 Oct. 2015
Response Paper # 2
The Great Gatsby
It's a story said about a man named Gatsby.he lost his heart to a grirl wealthy women named Daisy when he was young.But he lost her at that time because he was poor and he forced to the war.When he come back from the war.He do business in a illegal way,and became a man with a lot money.But it's 10 years ago.And he do everything just for Daisy.And he come back,wanting married with daisy.But at last he was dead for Daisy.But noboby come to his funeral except his father and his friend Nick.And the story was said from Nick'angle of the view.
Having read this novel,I think about my life.It occurred in my mind that every one should and must have the title to chase his own dream.And no one can look upon other`s dream.
In the other hand,all of us shouldn`t live under other`s life.You shouldn`t dress youself into other`s life in order to adapt youself to the high society.Like GTatsby,he want to enter the high society,and let himself like famous people.But finally,he died.What killed him?I think it isn`t the accidrntal factors.Because something he did,he died by himself.
In my opinion,whatever should happen or have happened,we all keep active 1
attitude and it is benefit,useful to us.Although we met difficulty,we failed,we can`t recover after a setback.Don`t reduce you passion,keep optimistic.And hopefully,luck must happen to you.Remember,remember the experience you have tasted,there is no useful you give up.Do better,and you`ll gain more.
There are only the pursude,the pursuing,the busy and the tired.
So what kind of people you want to be?
Remember:so we beat on,boats against the current,borne back ceaselessly into the past.
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