Is Gatsby Heroic or or Tragic

Question

The Great Gatsby

Is Gatsby Heroic or or Tragic

Is gatsby considered heroic or tragic? In what ways do you sympathize with him and/or loathe him; how is he alike and different from you; and, why is he considered a timeless character in literature? Reference other characters in history, literature or society to arrive at a fuller analysis of this character and his motivations, and freely comment on human nature, as it is represented here, more generally.

Asked by Taylor A #433721 on 6/2/2015 3:37 AM

Last updated by jill d #170087 on 6/2/2015 3:47 AM

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Answered by jill d #170087 on 6/2/2015 3:47 AM

I would see Gatsby as a tragic hero. Gatsby earned the money, illegally, that rivaled the richest people (from old money) in East Egg. Gatsby is a hero because he achieves the American Dream. The ability to transcend his meagre past to achieve the life of the ultra rich is still something Americans covet. His tragedy is of course something or somebody that he can't have. Daisy haunts his every minute. Gatsby can buy anything he wants but he can't buy love. Gatsby is the man everybody wants to know but nobody wants to really get to know. His heroic climb from rags to riches, in the end, doesn't seem to matter.

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