Often times in literature, as well as in life, dreams and hopes do not follow through the way they are preferred to. Instead of leaving characters fulfilled and content as they had dreamt of, they are bereft of their wishes and dispirited. This applies to the main character in the novel The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The following quote by Robert Burns serves as an impeccable critical lens in evaluating the character of Jay Gatsby, a classy young man with a plan of his own, "The best laid plans o' mice and men often go astray, and leave us nought but grief and pain, instead of promised joy". Gatsby's unfortunate outcome is captured and supported very well by Burn's quote.
             Jay Gatsby, a sophisticated and fabulously wealthy man of about 30 years, had a grandeur plan of spending the rest of his life with his past love Daisy. Daisy is a woman whom Gatsby met while training to be an officer in Louisville and he fell in love with her. Gatsby's plan was thrown off track when he came home from war to realize that Daisy Faye was now Daisy Buchanan, married with a young daughter. During the Roaring 20's, the time that this novel takes place, it was extremely difficult and tedious to have a divorce, as well as a derogatory process. This aspect of the novel represents Gatsby's plan "going astray", as his hopes for sweeping Daisy of her feet and spending their lives together suddenly became almost impossible.
             Yet despite this sudden change in perspective, Gatsby still manages to gather some optimism to counteract his dwindling dream. This struggle to hold on to the small chance that Gatsby has with Daisy is apparent in the following quote, " 'Your wife doesn't love you,' said Gatsby quietly. 'She [Daisy] never loved you. She loves me [Gatsby]'" (137, Fitzgerald). Gatsby's passion is obvious but delusional and unrealistic as well, &...