The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is about the American Dream, and the downfall of those who attempt to capture its illusionary goals. The American Dream boils down to money. Jay Gatsby, that through wealth and power, one can acquire happiness. To get this happiness Jay must reach into the past and relive an old dream and in order to do this he must have wealth and power. Jay Gatsby, the central figure of the story, is a character who longs for the past. Surprisingly he devotes most of his adult life trying to recapture it and, finally, dies in its pursuit. In the past, Jay had a love affair with the beautiful and seemingly innocent Daisy. Knowing he could not marry her because of the difference in their social status, he leaves her to go to war. Once he acquires this wealth, he moves near to Daisy, "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay (Fitzgerald 83)," and throws extravagant parties, hoping by chance she might show up at one of them. He does not attend his parties but watches them from a distance. When his hopes don't come out to be true, he asks around casually if anyone knows her. Soon he meets Nick Carraway, a cousin of Daisy, who agrees to set up a meeting, "He wants to know...if you'll invite Daisy to your house some afternoon and then let him come over (Fitzgerald 83)." Gatsby's personal dream symbolizes the larger American Dream where all have the opportunity to get what they want. Later in the Plaza Hotel, Gatsby still believes that Daisy loves him. He is convinced of this as is shown when he takes the blame for Myrtle's death. "Was Daisy driving?" "Yes...but of course I'll say I was." (Fitzgerald 151) He also watches and protects Daisy as she returns home. "How long are you going to wait?" "All night if necessary." (Fitzgerald 152) Jay cannot accept that the past is gone and done with. Gatsby is sure that he can capture his dream with wealth and influence. He beli
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