Downfall

In addition, Transcendentalists believed that man should live life to the fullest by seeking to reach their potential. “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist” (from Self-Reliance 194) shows that every man should have a unique quality that separates him from other men. “Nature never became a toy to a wise spirit. Initially, Gatsby felt that society and materialistic possessions made the better person. Moreover, he did not seek knowledge through nature, but through money. In addition, Gatsby did not live his life to the fullest in order to reach his potential. Seeking to reach one’s potential means that one must “Absolve you to yourself, and you should have the suffrage of the world” (from Self-Reliance 194). own establishment, cluttered with furniture and tripped up by its own traps, ruined by luxury and heedless expense” (from Where I Lived and What I Lived For 212) and for which the only cure is simplicity. Undoubtedly, as time changes, the American Dreams are bound to change; however, one aspect will always remain the same, and that is obtaining the satisfaction of success. While the Transcendentalists strive to reach their potential, Gatsby accepts a free ride to the top of society. Most importantly, the ideas of nonconformity and individualism in The Great Gatsby directly contrast from those values of Transcendentalism. Let him step to the music which he hears , however measured or far away” (from Conclusion 217). Most importantly, the ideas of nonconformity and individualism illustrate the Transcendentalist beliefs. The Transcendentalists do not believe in materialistic possession whereas the key to Gatsby’s success is his materialistic wealth. The closest Gatsby came to nature was going for a ride in his hydroplane which he seldom did.