The development of a hero always follows the same type of pattern and structure in epic poems. This characterization of heroes as valiant figures has progressed over time to create a solid reference point for what a true hero should be. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald is able to use these key elements to mock Gatsby's heroism. This creates an ironic image of Gatsby because his seemingly grandiose actions are incomparable to the deeds of true valiant heroes. F. Scott Fitzgerald draws on the conventions of epic poems to satirize Gatsby's characterization in the novel. Like the epic poets, Fitzgerald objectively recounts the deeds of his hero. In epic poetry, the muse impartially tells the story of a hero so that others can know of his greatness. In The Great Gatsby, Nick plays the role of our muse. He says: “[He is] inclined to reserve all his judgments,” in order to attribute authorial authority to himself (1). Making Nick an impartial narrator is meant to legitimize Gatsby's actions. The only problem is that as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Nick is in no way impartial. Because Nick favors Gatsby, the accounts of Gatsby's actions are always told in a positive light, making him seem better than he really is. This description of Gatsby, juxtaposed with the lesser characterization the reader infers from what Nick says, further highlights how unimpressive Gatsby really is. In recounting the deeds of this hero, Fitzgerald mocks the characteristic catalogs of epic poetry, which generally serve to magnify the hero through elaborate descriptions of warriors, ships, and battles. When Nick recounts all the people he met at Gatsby's parties, he lists them as if they were warriors returning from battle. "From West E...... middle of paper...... the importance of Gatsby by directly comparing him to the heroes of epic poems. Gatsby was supposed to be this great character who represented America and the American dream, but this ironic comparison proves that he actually accomplished nothing remarkable. The dream of wealth that many Americans possessed in the 1920s was just as shallow and unimpressive as Gatsby's. People strove to move up in social class, but as we see with Gatsby, this is not a heroic feat. Fitzgerald shows that abandoning values ​​and morals and climbing the social ladder through dubious tactics is what the American dream has become. Gone are the days when people worked hard and earned the glory they deserved, now they use other people's misfortunes to promote themselves. Works Cited Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004.