critical essay on the great gatsby

The quote "material without being real" shows theemptiness of an
existence with the realization of a tainted ideal. Fittingly, this quote from
Nick is placed after Daisy leaves Gatsby. Nick is imagining what Gatsby
would be thinking if he had understood that the goal, winning Daisy and
her materialistic insubstantiality, was unworthy of his effort. Fitzgerald
does not specifically state if Gatsby is or is not waiting for the phone call
from Daisy. If Gatsby has realized that Daisy will not call, then he has
undergone the self-recognition of the tragic hero. If he is waiting for the
phone call, then he is still holding on to his idealized goal. While this
shows that he is holding onto the part of his life: that which marked his
personality as more substantial Daisy's personality, it also illustrates the
futility of reaching for a corrupted goal. Many Americans today may lack
the motivation of Jay Gatsby in the quest for his "pure" dream. Their
existence is strictly materialistic. Such individuals view the purpose of
education not as serving to perfect of one's intellect, but to secure a job.
Every day they perform the same dull and tedious routine, their only goal
being the receipt of a paycheck which they will redeem ultimately for
social status. Some do have dreams, and to their life is added new
meaning through the reaching for a goal. It is this reaching, the gaining
of enjoyable and constructive experience, which gives purpose to their
work that diminishes the monotony of their daily existence. Whereas the
straight materialists will eventually spend their "dream," the experience
that a "reacher" gains cannot be taken away.