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According to Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, the word illusion is defined as, “the state or fact of being intellectually deceived or misled. ... Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, contains many examples of characters exerting this type of behavior. The novel reveals the effect of illusion prevailing over reality through its characters’ actions and perceptions. ... In the beginning of their life together, she had convinced herself that she was married to a great man and a real gentleman. ... To Myrtle, that life is an illusion because she knows she can never marry Tom. ... However, Myrtle is too busy living an illusion when she is with Tom and is oblivious to the reality that both she and Tom are married to others.
Further along in the exposition, the reader becomes more familiar with Gatsby’s character and soon discovers his deep infatuation with Daisy. This fascination began when Gatsby was a young soldier and started pursuing Daisy. Unfortunately, they were separated when Gatsby went back to war and have not laid eyes on each other since then. ... After quickly reacquainting themselves with one another, Gatsby and Daisy, along with Nick, stroll over to Gatsby’s house next door. It is then that Nick notices Gatsby’s feelings for Daisy. He expresses his beliefs concerning Gatsby’s thoughts and dreams throughout the day; what his life would be like had he married Daisy:
There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams- not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. ... (Fitzgerald 97)
This passage illustrates how Gatsby’s feelings are driven by illusions. ... Because of these circumstances, there is no way that Gatsby will ever be able to marry Daisy and turn his illusions into reality.
Critic Marshall Cavendish, writing in American Classics, also highlights Gatsby’s illusions of being with Daisy. Cavendish reinforces how Gatsby still lives in a dreamer’s world and will not face the facts of reality. Cavendish’s article discusses various pieces from the novel, but focuses on Gatsby’s desire to be with Daisy.
Approximate Word count = 1693
Approximate Pages = 6.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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