My government teacher asked me to define America with the use of pictures. Ha.

America can be defined in many ways. Our founding fathers had their idea of the “American dream” and fought for the formation of the United States in order to pursue it. Our government was laid out in hope of preserving the privileges that inspired our journey for independence.

First and foremost, the United States was set up defined by the principles of liberty and freedom. As a country, we didn’t want the diction of Great Britain to have an influence or control over our lives. As individuals, we wanted to be able to make personal choices for our wellbeing. Being able to have free speech, free press, freedom of religion, and other constitutional rights were designed to keep us unique and able to express ourselves without political repercussions.

America was founded with the intention of exploration. We wanted to be able to explore new land and new possibilities. The American way was designed for new and creative thinking. Opportunities were to be plentiful and without restriction. The country was to encourage pursuing your dreams without being held back by customs or tradition. It was a fresh start to make a choice.

Along with making a choice, a democracy was designed in order to keep a government over the nation without giving any sole person power for dictating citizens. We didn’t want to be subjected to a monarchy and have someone determine our lifestyle based on having “royal” blood. Voting let everyone (ignoring the initial suffrage restrictions of gender and race) have their opinion be heard and considered when making decisions for the fate of the country.

Our other most important defining quality was our union. We were formed as the UNITED States of America. No group of stood alone and we’d be a solid force in both tragedy and celebration. Families were to be appreciated and friendships were to be innate. Discrimination wasn’t supposed to be an issue and Americans were defined to be thankful for our survival and thriving experience as a new country.

Traditionally, this was more of the image of America. While some components remain, they’re deeply buried. The United States isn’t defined anymore by the hopes and dreams that were intended. Instead, the American way has come to show the lack of embracement for acceleration. Instead of taking the opportunities that were laid out as America, we abused so many of them.For that reason, I think that modern America would be more accurately defined in this light.

While we were given the chance for liberty and freedom, this privilege has become very misinterpreted. We’re providing the benefits of being an American citizen to more immigrants than natives. With Mexicans especially, there are so many people crossing our borders trying to justify that they deserve “freedom” as well. Rather than stand up against this issue, the government so often caves to every demanding need. Legal American citizens lose their rights at being able to freely explore opportunities and express themselves. Jobs are often taken by “minorities”. Rather than being able to stand up for how we’re being impacted, you can’t say that illegal immigration isn’t fair. If you do, you’re often labeled as a racist. Slavery definitely was a huge conflict, but it’s over. However, that doesn’t stop many African Americans from thinking they’re owed something to justify what happened in the past. With the foundation of having so much freedom, there are so many groups of people feeling as if they’re superior and entitled to whatever they wish to have that moment. This isn’t necessarily just racial minorities either. Americans in general come across very snobby and unappreciative to what our government does provide us with. Liberty may have been intended as an attribute, but it’s turned into a source for an ego boost.

As much as being able to explore new things was an option, we’ve left our skills drop to such a low level that it’s impossible for us to actually dominate a section of life in the world. We don’t have the mental intellect to advance as much as other countries do. Our education system has taken a very detrimental fall that will be very hard to ever get out of. Unfortunately, even trying to correct the problem leaves much effort to be desired because of the debt that the United States has accumulated. When you put either elements of the picture’s caption into perspective, it’s really quite horrible to think about. With 1/5 of Americans unable to even locate our country on a world map, I’m not sure how we’re supposed to stand a chance even surviving globally, let alone thrive as a global power. Her answer surely doesn’t help matters either. Americans are defined with a strong level of stupidity. We aren’t truly up to par with knowledge, and the majority is too clueless to worry about or even realize the issue in order to do anything that could effectively fix it.

Continuing the element of stupidity, Americans have the tendency to bond over the most disrupting things. With America being a newer country (in perspective to much of the world) and wanting to focus on the new ideas or concepts rather than tradition, Americans are known to not have respect for history. We’re very unaware of what our country has been through and how we are able to have the society we do today. This isn’t even touching on how very oblivious we tend to be about what’s going on elsewhere around the world. Classics, whether art, music, literature, architecture, or many other categories, aren’t appreciated as the American society is so consumed with the desire for the newest and “best” thing. Who cares about Pablo Picasso (even though it was later released to only be a replica) if we can get a few short moments of entertainment destroying it with caviar? It seems to be a defining characteristic of Americans today to not appreciate humanities and have respect for things in the way that majority of elsewhere in the world does.

Perhaps we embrace togetherness, but we rely a lot on technology to do so. While not all of this is bad, it still has a prominent impact of how Americans are viewed. Cyber schooling is a positive aspect of this lifestyle. Learning virtually is not as common in other nations. However, we also have minimized the personalization of communication with peers. It’s not the normal thing to actually meet up to talk to someone or mail them a letter in order to send message. Instead, texting and social networks have dominated society. I know so many friends who will be standing next to each other yet not say a word because they’re too busy texting each other. Rather than read a newspaper or novel, we’re more concerned with catching up with everyone’s Twitter updates. Our adaption to technology could be a positive, but it’s greatly impacted our communication skills. Many people do not know how to properly write because +h3ry*r3 2 8usy t@1k!ng l!k3 th!s. Verbal communication has like, decreased in like, quality and uhh… stuff as well because like, we aren’t sure how to err… form like, coherent sentences.

Technically, to me, both contexts define Americans and America as a nation. We had a unique and clear vision to improve the quality of life. Our government still pretty much holds this to be true. However, the American society has brought us another distinctive trait: a unique low. The first Americans started out embracing the idea of unique individualism. Currently, the United States consists of way too many conformists. The line between how the majority of Americans are compared to how America was intended is very clear, though I feel that to truly embrace the original foundation for Americanism you can’t let yourself be defined by a stereotypical definition.

Emerson would have been my lover.

Transcendentalism is such a simple premise, yet it is composed of more controversial and complex philosophies than the majority of other phases that have occurred throughout history. One could try to explain the belief that an ideal spiritual state transcends everything physically known and is only realized in thought, but this does not express the true basis of the movement. These words can be so difficult to understand, which proves to be true for most literature by transcendentalist authors. However, it is normally quite simple for Americans to understand the phrase “be yourself.” While many other ideas were expressed about religion and existence, they all lead back to the concept of expressing one’s own thoughts regardless of how unusual they may be. The transcendentalist period was one that broke boundaries of traditional thinking, embraced uniqueness, and could have made America thrive with creative individuals.

“To be great is to be misunderstood,” is a simple phrase, written by Ralph Waldo Emerson in “Self Reliance,” yet it can truly summarize the transcendentalist movement. The concepts that were expressed were, and still are, very difficult for the majority to grasp – let alone agree with. Regardless, this misunderstanding did not stop the transcendentalists; instead, it fueled their effort. Emerson’s words are really rather repetitive. It is as if he is saying the same message over and over again in hope that his readers will hear it in one form. He says to “insist on yourself; never imitate” and that, “every great man is unique.” Reflecting on the title, it is exactly what he is trying to explain. One must rely on himself or herself, not on others or even Emerson. This concept has the ability to raise levels of independence, as it is accepting and encouraging freethinking rather than conformity.

Building upon individuality, the worst flaw that an individual can have is not to have confidence in their difference from “normal.” Emerson says that, “man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say ‘I think,’ ‘I am,’ but quotes some saint or sage.” By this, he is saying that it is difficult for citizens to come up with fresh ideas and share them. Instead, Americans prefer to look at something that has already been done and not risk the unknown or unheard of. Rather than not care what others think of one’s presentation, there is a tendency to feel as if one has done “wrong” for not being in the majority. “Self Reliance” also stresses to “speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day.” It doesn’t matter if one’s opinions change or one contradicts their previous statements, one should say what one wishes and embrace it in the moment. It is okay to try and be proven wrong, but holding back is the only true form of failure.

Henry David Thoreau embraced many of the same ideas as Emerson. He explores in “Walden” how society has transformed into something unoriginal and superficial by making comments such as “say what you have to say, not what you ought.” Thoreau is trying to encourage readers to break the rules of speaking. It does not matter what one should say, instead it matters that one says what they would like to. By speaking one’s mind, the interactions that occur can be true and pure. He says, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.” One does not need to make the same moves as everyone else as long as one is doing as they feel compelled to do. As a result, society should not try to stop those who dare to choose a different path. Instead, it is necessary that everyone “let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” It is okay to dream as big as possible, as long as it is what is truly desired by the individual dreaming.

Thoreau addresses conformity with great passion by commenting on “how worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity.” He believes that to be true to oneself and to the nature of the world, it is necessary to choose the unguided path; however, many avoid choosing this path and instead go with the pathways that majority of the world chooses. This makes those methods worn out and simply a rut that becomes harder to rebel against. Thoreau encourages, “Let every one mind his own business, and endeavor to be what he was made.” This shows that everyone should not worry about what others desire to do, but instead focus on achieving their own goals in life no matter what anyone believes about them. The opinion of others should be disregarded because, ultimately, no one else can control one’s destiny. One cannot interfere with the goals of others, but should prioritize with the preservation of their own.

The idea of being materialistic is also addressed by Thoreau. To him and many other transcendentalists, intellect comes before any physical element of the world. The only thing that is known to be true is one’s ideas, and for that reason, they are more valuable than anything in the world. He says, “Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts” to show that the most important thing that one must have is their ability to process their own opinions. Without them, no other necessity or frivolous possession means anything. Thoreau expresses says, “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” This shows that he would rather be pure and true to whom he is, than have someone like him, progress economically, or be successful. The greatest thing he can do is simply reveal his truth and accept the truth of others rather than become part of a competitive popularity contest by trying to appeal to the masses of select individuals.

“The Maypole at Merry Mount” takes these concepts of individualism and shows how wildly they are discouraged. The people of Merry Mount are freethinking and do as they please to celebrate the marriage of the young couple. They are having a nice time and could care less about how they might be portrayed. The Puritans interfere with their celebration and try to dictate how they should act and present themselves. The religion enforces its strict guidelines among the people of Merry Mount and do not care for their individualism. This premise shows the reality of society. It is hard to dare against what is accepted, for the traditional majority is always there to judge, critic, and punish one for going against the usual beliefs. Stereotypes cloud the ability to truly express and explore new options of lifestyles.

Just like in “Meno,” it is important to realize that what is right for one person is not always going to be accepted as right by everyone. Ideally, Socrates and the transcendentalists were very similar. Emerson even makes reference to him by saying “Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh.” One does not need to be understood or traditional in the eyes of the majority in order to have a true and thorough point. Even without a point, one can still represent their thoughts and agree that nothing is truly certain within the world except for uncertainty itself. Socrates showed that he could have every opinion he wanted to about topics such as virtue, yet he realistically could not prove any true existence or explanation of what the concept truly meant and stood for within the world as a whole.

While one would think and wish not, the ability to freely think for oneself goes against a lot of traditional mannerisms. People are set in their ways of how society should be and often not open to something that challenges what was accepted for so long. It doesn’t matter if the issue at hand is homosexual rights, cyber schools, or questioning if we even truly exist. America may have set out to be a land of opportunity and freedom, but we’re just as stuck in tradition as older nations. If Americans could embrace the individualism that is expressed by the transcendentalists, much conflict would be avoided. Americans could develop a more accepting society where it is of no concern what others are doing, it simply is crucial that everyone does what they feel is right for them. The diversity this could bring to the country would be incredible, as with each generation, the focus on being “popular” makes citizens more identical and afraid of self-expression.

The premises of transcendentalism may not always be clear to Americans. However, the basic concept of being pure to one’s own thoughts is something that needs to be heard. As Emerson wrote, “Shakspeare will never be made by the study of Shakspeare.” One cannot expect to bring back transcendentalism by being the individual that these authors try to express. Quoting Emerson or Thoreau and sharing their opinions does not make you a new Emerson or Thoreau. By interpreting their ideas, however, it is possible to start a new motion in the twenty-first century. A new motion that can dare to challenge society, appreciates distinctiveness, and defies the gravity of traditional thinking with fresh concepts and forms of expression just as the transcendentalists did. Conformity and sticking with what is safe is not truly living. One can only truly live and exist when they embrace their thoughts, which are more real than any physical surrounding.

Fitzgerald and I have a psychic connection.

“Once again, to Zelda.” It is possible to analyze and try to interpret the nature of society throughout the early 1920s or the symbolism within The Great Gatsby, yet this short dedication puts more meaning behind the novel than anything. F. Scott Fitzgerald seems, most likely, to be like Nick to the casual reader. By choosing Nick to provide first-person narration, Fitzgerald should show that this is the character he is most able to connect with. However, Fitzgerald is not just Nick. In learning about Fitzgerald’s personal life, one can realize that he is also Jay, and even Mr. Wilson. Emotionally, Fitzgerald could easily have been described as a psychotic mess. He embraced his fears, admirations, and reality in each of the different characters. It seems that Fitzgerald had reached a personal breaking point in his life and turned to what he knew best, his writing, to find comfort and security while devising a plan to hold on to his ideal of the American Dream. Through The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald approaches the concept of wealth and social status corrupting society by sorting out his emotions towards where he fits into society and, more prominently, the dynamics of his relationship with his wife, Zelda.

While the background information of Fitzgerald’s love life is not the first thing that one learns in order to understand The Great Gatsby, it easily can be key to processing the thoughts that Fitzgerald potentially had during his writing. In order to truly understand an author’s purpose, one must have a grasp on the thoughts that fueled the author’s words. The relationship turmoil within The Great Gatsby closely mirrors Fitzgerald’s own life, resulting in the assumption that his expression in the novel was to release his own inner heartache. Writing was Fitzgerald’s greatest skill and passion, so it logically makes sense he would turn to it to express his tension. Through the character of Jay Gatz, one can see a similarity between Jay’s courting of Daisy to that of Fitzgerald when initially courting Zelda. Both were young men who did not have much established for themselves at the time, but had a strong potential and ambition that made them charming possibilities. Just like Daisy and Jay, Fitzgerald and Zelda’s meeting revolved around a dance during the time when the both men, respectively, were enlisted in the military. The chance meetings connect the significance of the idea of finding one’s true love amidst unexpected circumstances.

Even after the initial stages of courtship, the relationships continue to resemble each other. Both Daisy and Zelda were put into positions where they needed to wait for their men, yet, ultimately, neither did. Daisy resists waiting to marry Jay, due to his financial and social status, and winds up, instead, marrying Tom. She wishes to remain in the elite social class she has been used to, rather than setting for a less wealthy husband such as Jay. Zelda also refused to marry Fitzgerald, calling off their relationship several times. She had many suitors competing for her attention, instilling the potential for unfaithfulness later on. After Fitzgerald published his popular novel, This Side of Paradise, Zelda agreed to marry Fitzgerald. The financial success from this publication was so crucial to Zelda’s agreement to married that Fitzgerald is quoted as having told his publisher that “so many things dependent on its success—including of course a girl.” The girls both were seeking for the best option to suit them at the moment and truly had a hard time trying to be content being patient for those that loved them. The result was both Jay and Fitzgerald striving to be something they were not in order to attempt fulfilling the conditions Daisy and Zelda were holding in exchange for their love.

Through the infatuation with the girls they lusted over, both men started to form their entire lives around them. Jay hustles dirty money in order to gain the finances he would need to impress Daisy. He bought the house across the lake from her and constantly throws lavish parties that attracted the entire area in hope that one day she would attend. Fitzgerald also tried to constantly keep his writing progressing to provide an adequate income for Zelda. His attraction to Zelda dictated what he wrote, even to the point of rewriting his heroines to be more like her. Fitzgerald is known to have stolen Zelda’s dairy in order to capture and become inspired by her deepest, inner desires. He became so consumed by her essence that Zelda was the reason behind everything Fitzgerald tried to do in his life during their marriage. Fitzgerald was just as obsessed with Zelda as Jay was with Daisy, creating a connection between the two men. It could be that Jay was the hopeful drive within Fitzgerald that if he could make something good enough of himself, he could win back the love he desired. The ambition of Fitzgerald begins to appear in the form of Jay Gatsby.

Fitzgerald’s fears appear to shine through the character of Tom Buchanan. After falling into a point of financial hardship, Fitzgerald and Zelda moved to Paris. There, she began a rather scandalous affair with a Frenchman while, simultaneously, Fitzgerald began writing The Great Gatsby. Disagreements had been boiling between Fitzgerald and Zelda, creating the harsh image shown through Tom. It appears that the tough, abusive figure showed components of what Fitzgerald did not want to become. He wanted Zelda to care about him rather than stay with him out of fear. Daisy was unhappy with Tom’s behavior and affairs, yet still played along with the scheme. Tom was very controlling and accomplished this through physical intimidation and harsh verbal judgment. Fitzgerald gives the impression that he is trying to avoid turning into the cruel husband that he creates Tom to be. Fitzgerald had avoided confronting the Frenchman, but contributes the anger he must have felt into further developing Tom’s character. Just as Jay dislikes Tom for being his competition for Daisy, Fitzgerald’s ambition to keep Zelda clashes with the other men she becomes involved with. The tempting forceful nature combined with frustration showcases the fears Fitzgerald has regarding losing Zelda to a “better option,” or morphing into something retched in order to quiet her resistance to escape.

Through the character of Mr. Wilson, the reality of Fitzgerald is shown. He is showing his most realistic self rather than his hopes or fears. Mr. Wilson does not have much to offer his wife, just as Fitzgerald had been financially unstable at the time. Myrtle, like Zelda, searched elsewhere for excitement and entertainment, leaving her husband working diligently to be good enough for her again. Myrtle felt neglected by Mr. Wilson and was intrigued by the attention and lavish amenities Tom gave her. This is similar to Zelda, who became bored with Fitzgerald for spending large sections of his time writing in order to advance economically. Zelda went off with the Frenchman in order to spend her nights dancing and in casinos, which she felt was more thrilling than staying settled with Fitzgerald. Another key similarity is the way that Mr. Wilson and Fitzgerald handled the behaviors of their wives. The only way Mr. Wilson had ever “abused” his wife was by locking her in her room after accepting that Myrtle had been cheating on him. He felt his last resort to keeping a hold of his wife was physically, detaining her as long as she had the potential of going back to Tom. Similarly, Fitzgerald locked Zelda in their home when she requested to divorce him in order to further pursue her relationship with the Frenchman. He kept her locked up until her lover had left and she agreed to stay married to Fitzgerald. These behaviors connect the dejection of Mr. Wilson and Fitzgerald in a way that gives a realistic formation of Fitzgerald’s position in his circumstances.

Being the narrator, Nick was a very crucial role in The Great Gatsby. He leads readers through the tragic love story trying to be objective about each side and persona he encounters. Nick and Fitzgerald are one in the same as the views expressed by Nick are how Fitzgerald is analyzing the different elements of his life. Nick is observing Gatsby, Tom, and Mr. Wilson, and coming to conclusions about each, while still trying to show that each character is strengthened or belittled by the actions of the other. Gatsby becomes more lavishing when Tom is becoming more furious. This represents Fitzgerald’s dreams growing to try to offset his fear. Conversely, with bigger dreams, or a more appealing Gatsby, Tom, or fear, feels the need to rise in order to give a “reality check” to each new ounce of hope. Tom and Gatsby both, however, make Mr. Wilson feel more inferior. Feeling threatened by their wealth and elite status, Mr. Wilson feels horrible as he knows he is losing his wife to the likeability of this image. Fitzgerald is realizing that the more he hopes or fears different outcomes regarding his success to determine the future of his relationship, the more overwhelmed he is getting. Nick’s, or Fitzgerald’s, views on the character’s choices show the outlook on society as a whole that Fitzgerald is concluding. He is seeing how influenced everyone is by wealth and power. This relation serves to present the most common purpose readers interpret from The Great Gatsby: the message that nothing is ever enough as one always desires to be superior to another.

Just as Fitzgerald is shown through the male protagonists in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the many sides of Zelda through his female characters. In the position of Daisy, Zelda is an innocent victim that one can lust endlessly over. Just as Jay overestimates Daisy, Fitzgerald overestimates Zelda to be a miraculous woman that she truly is not. Regardless of their many flaws, Zelda and Daisy are viewed to be perfect angels who suffer because of the men in their lives. This shows Fitzgerald battling the guilt he feels, assuming that he is the true because of Zelda’s unhappiness. Jordan is also an important side of Zelda, though one that Fitzgerald approaches with indifference. Just as it is hard for readers to interpret if Jordan is a hero or a villain, Fitzgerald is unsure how to cope with Zelda’s desire for attention and independence. Jordan is often shown bored with her surroundings, which is much like Zelda when Fitzgerald is consumed with his writing. As a result, she branches into trying to find her own expertise in art and dance, similar to Jordan’s athletic career. Neither of the girls truly has much talent, Jordan having cheated in her matches and often appearing she does not truly care about the sport, but they still pursue the hobbies to try to feel as if they can excel at something in their lives. Fitzgerald is trying to analyze not only himself, but the behaviors of his wife to explore the best way he can possible cope with his failing marriage.

One of the most interesting and significant connections to Zelda, however, is with the character of Myrtle. Myrtle is not developed very well in The Great Gatsby, as readers do not fully experience her personal thoughts, but she shows the flaws that Zelda possesses. Myrtle throws Tom’s money around as if it is nothing, taking the elite lifestyle as if it is something that should be expected. She is crazy enough to jump to whatever circumstance can give her more to benefit from, even if it is achieved by cheating on her husband. Fitzgerald creates the gold-digging, self-absorbed side of Zelda through Myrtle, and through her, begins to see that his wife may not actually be as flawless as he believed she was. Through the use of the name Myrtle, as well as the name Daisy, Fitzgerald instills flowers to be a realization of how society changes people to become rather vapid and useless. Just like flowers, Daisy and Myrtle have no true value other than looking pretty and serving as amusement for the men in their lives. There is no true purpose to them as they are very bland, static characters. There is no true mental capacity to Daisy as she is not able to think for herself, she constantly needs Tom or Jay to make decisions for her. Myrtle shows the more schizophrenic tendencies that Zelda began suffering from, which also serves to prove that she mentally had no true intellect to contribute. The symbolism of flowers in relation to the women of The Great Gatsby, shows how fitting in and being superior within society takes the individuality and potential out of citizens. Fitzgerald explores the idea that without passion and the courage to be unique, one becomes as useless as a flower, which only is something to look at, for there is no depth to one’s personality anymore.

The green light at the end of the pier serves as the distant desire within the novel. For Jay, it is the light of Daisy. He can see her and feel he is getting closer, but at the end of the day, the light is still far in the distance. Fitzgerald is battling the same desire in regards to happiness with Zelda. The continuing triumph shows a crucial component of the American Dream. The premise of the American Dream is to flourish in life. One wishes to find success, happiness, opportunity, and love. While the specifics vary, there is nearly always something that one feels is the missing piece to feeling complete; if they have something more, everything will suddenly feel perfect. The moral is that no matter how much one has, there will always be something desired that cannot be attained, which dictates the ideal of the American Dream to make it unachievable. The light at the end of the dock tries to serve as a lesson to readers that no matter how close you think you are to perfection, there is always some way to improve or something that can be gained. However, it becomes both an evil and a blessing. The constant desire becomes a fueling ambition to persevere in life, yet it also consumes the searcher to never be content with the present. No matter what serves as one’s light, Fitzgerald approaches accepting, and then teaching, that its effect of greed on citizens both develops and corrupts society. This directly correlates with the interpretation of the eyes on the barn, showing that there is a constant overlooking judgment within society, making the ideal of success crucial to being accepted by one’s peers. The materialistic nature of Fitzgerald’s expression of his turmoil serves to teach readers that they must prioritize their life to avoid getting caught up in the harsh economical whirlwind.

It does not seem that Fitzgerald intentionally tried to use symbolism to further his purpose of the novel. He does not even seem to truly have an intended purpose for his readers. The philosophy he appears to approach is that he is writing for himself: to express himself, to find himself, to end his problems. Fitzgerald shares himself and his opinions through his writing, but there seems to be an emphasized message: lessons through literature are primarily interpreted and created only in the minds of characters and readers. The character of Nick explores the ideas of meaningless messages put on objects when trying to imagine Jay’s final thoughts about his life. There was not a set goal for writing The Great Gatsby; it just took Fitzgerald on a journey to further understand himself. By sharing his writing, the concept of the American Dream is posed in the same essence. One can have everything in the world, but until one finds one’s passion, one is nothing. The inner battle to comprehend his emotions left Fitzgerald learning a lot about life and who he was as a person, which easily transpires into advice for readers. The purest purpose of the novel is to find one’s own purpose and take the path of Fitzgerald’s realizations to begin finding the path to one’s own inner contentment.

One of the most noticeable traits of Fitzgerald’s writing is how clear and simple it is. However, it is still mystifying in the sense that anything can be made out of it that readers need to hear or learn. For example, one may realize they need to worry less about having a boyfriend at the moment, and instead focus on waiting for the perfect soul mate. For another, it may teach one they need to be less arrogant and superficial in order to truly benefit from love. Or possibly one interpreted a message that one needs to stand up for oneself rather than falling into the restrictions of society’s acceptance. The novel exhibits pure ambiguity through its complexity and speaks a message to the heart of the reader, regardless of what the exact moral is. The American Dream is one of freedom and the ability to choose, including choosing the messages and purpose to infer from The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald used each of his characters in The Great Gatsby to portray the purpose of expressing his own opinions on his life and love as well as how society’s pressures impacted him, resulting in a timeless masterpiece that can vary in influence to readers in order to assist in reevaluating one’s own place in the world.