The Pathetic Jay Gatsby of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby...

The Pathetic Jay Gatsby of The Great Gatsby Pathetic is a term used to describe someone who is pitifully unsuccessful. Success is not necessarily measured in wealth or fame, but it is measured by how much one has accomplished in life. A successful person is one who has set many goals for himself and then goes out in life and accomplishes some of them, but goes on living even if failing on others. In the novel The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a pathetic character because he wasted his whole life chasing an unrealistic dream. Gatsbys dream is unrealistic because it depends for its success upon Daisys discontent with her marriage and her willingness to exchange it†¦show more content†¦Jordan said, he says hes read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisys name.(Fitzgerald 84) Gatsby put so much effort into his dream that his dream became his life, and losing control of your life is saddening. Gatsby is pathetic because he behaves like a child and he cannot handle adult situations like an adult. His childish demands show that he is a pathetic and immature human being. Jordan says, I immediately suggested a luncheon in New York - and I thought hed go mad: I dont want to do anything out of the way! he kept saying. I want to see her right next door.(Fitzgerald 84) At Gatsbys reunion with Daisy at Nicks house, his nervousness shows his inability to handle adult situations. Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes.(Fitzgerald 91) A mature adult would be able to handle this situation without running around the outside of the house in the rain and then arriving at the front door as if it was just a coincidence. Even in the situation of the reunion with the long lost lover, a mature adult would be able to stay in the house and greet her at the door and not try to lie that he didShow MoreRelated Jay Gatsby as Tragic Hero of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay974 Words   |  4 PagesJay Gatsby as Tragic Hero of Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby According to Aristotle, there are a number of characteristics that identify a tragic hero: he must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. 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