Trapped in a Dream in The Great GatsbyF. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby is unique in that Fitzgerald does not describe events in chronological order. Instead, a first-person narrator, Nick Carraway, presents the story as a series of flashbacks. The novel centers on its main character, Jay Gatsby, a wealthy citizen of West Egg known for his exuberant parties. Before leaving to fight in World War I, The Great Gatsby fell in love with Daisy Fay. He looked forward to his return to the United States, but when he arrived, Daisy had already married Tom Buchanan. As a result, Gatsby entered a dream world, in which he was convinced that he would win Daisy back. This dream quickly became the center of his life and he did everything possible to make it a reality. This transition did not go as smoothly as Gatsby had hoped. The major conflict of The Great Gatsby arises from the struggle between Gatsby's dream of changing the past and the reality that thwarts this desire. (Fitzgerald) The majority of Gatsby's actions in the novel are aimed at regaining a romantic relationship with Daisy. If Gatsby had not retained his love for Daisy, many of the events in the novel would not have happened. When Gatsby shows Daisy around his mansion, he says, "If it weren't for the mist, we could see your house across the bay." You always have a green light burning all night at the end of your dock. (Fitzgerald, 94) This green light means a lot to Gatsby, because it represents Daisy to him. The green light is the most visible part of the Buchanan house in West Egg. Jordan Baker confirms that "Gatsby bought this house so Daisy would be right across the bay." (Fitzgerald, 79) The fact that Gatsb...... middle of paper ...... Fiztgerald: Crisis of American identity. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1979. Overview. IntroductionII. ThesisA. Summary of context and conflictB. Thesis StatementIII. Gatsby's dream of finding Daisy and the past. Gatsby's mansion is right across the street from Daisy's green light. Trying to prove that he is financially worthy of herC. Arrange a meeting with DaisyIV. The link to the present and to realityA. Nick1. “We cannot repeat the past”2. Honesty and stability in the novelB. Tom1. Daisy is married to Tom2. He won't let go of Daisy upC. Once Gatsby loses Daisy, he loses his dream, so he is essentially dead. ConclusionA. SummarizeB. Other issues in the novel relating to the past1. The degeneration of society2. The closing of the novel