What Was Gatsby's Main Moral in The Great Gatsby? Discover the Message

The Tragic Pursuit of the American Dream

Well, if you've ever wondered what Gatsby’s main moral was in The Great Gatsby, you're definitely not alone. I mean, the novel is so packed with layers of meaning, and honestly, it took me a while to fully grasp the deeper lessons embedded in Gatsby’s life. But after reading it a couple of times and reflecting on the characters and their motives, I’ve come to believe that the main moral of Gatsby’s story is all about the flawed pursuit of the American Dream.

Gatsby’s Illusion of Success

You’ve probably heard of the American Dream—where anyone can rise from nothing to something if they work hard enough. Gatsby, as we know, is the embodiment of that dream. He started out as James Gatz, a poor kid from North Dakota, but through sheer ambition, he transformed into the wealthy and enigmatic Jay Gatsby.

But here's the thing: Gatsby’s wealth, his lavish parties, and his opulent mansion were all built on illusions. He thought that winning Daisy back and proving he was worthy of her love was the key to achieving the American Dream. But, honestly, it was all a mirage. In the end, his wealth, achieved through dubious means, wasn’t enough to get him the life he imagined, and the American Dream turned out to be an unattainable fantasy.

Gatsby’s Moral Lesson: The Corruption of Idealism

The Danger of Blind Obsession

Honestly, Gatsby’s greatest flaw is his obsessive belief that the past can be recreated. He’s so fixated on his idealized vision of Daisy and the love they once had that he’s willing to overlook everything else. He doesn’t see the changes in Daisy, the passing of time, or the fact that she’s married to Tom. He’s blinded by his own idealism, and that’s what ultimately leads to his downfall.

I remember having a conversation with a friend, Sarah, who was reading The Great Gatsby for the first time. She said, “I get it, but why didn’t Gatsby just move on?” And that’s the thing—his obsession with the past, his dream of Daisy, prevents him from seeing reality. He’s so focused on an ideal that he refuses to accept that people change, that time moves on, and that sometimes, the past is better left behind.

A Cautionary Tale of Unrealistic Expectations

In a way, Gatsby represents the dangers of living in a world of unrealistic expectations. His moral is a warning that chasing an ideal without considering the consequences can lead to heartbreak. Gatsby’s tragic flaw wasn’t his ambition, but his inability to see the truth about the world and people around him. This disconnect between his dreams and reality is what ultimately tears him apart.

The Role of Social Class and Morality

The Elitism of Old Money vs. New Money

Honestly, another key element of Gatsby’s moral is tied to the concept of social class. Throughout the novel, Gatsby's wealth is contrasted with that of Tom Buchanan, who represents "old money"—families with wealth passed down through generations. Gatsby, on the other hand, has “new money,” which, in the eyes of Tom and others in East Egg, is considered inferior.

What I found fascinating is how Gatsby tries to use his wealth to gain acceptance into this elite class, but his background never quite allows him to fit in. It's like he's chasing a social status that will never fully embrace him, no matter how much money he has. This theme highlights the moral that, in society, some barriers—like class and lineage—are difficult, if not impossible, to break through.

Morality in a Materialistic World

Another thing I realized is that Gatsby’s story reflects the moral decay that often accompanies the pursuit of wealth. Everyone in The Great Gatsby is driven by a desire for money, status, or power, but at what cost? Tom’s infidelity, Daisy’s selfishness, and Gatsby’s illegal means of acquiring his fortune all point to the moral decay of society. Gatsby’s dream was built on materialism, and in the end, that materialism didn’t provide him with happiness. Instead, it led to his tragic death.

The Final Moral: Embrace Reality

The Tragic Consequences of Holding Onto the Past

Honestly, after all the reflection, I think Gatsby’s main moral is about learning to embrace reality and letting go of the past. His failure to do so cost him everything. He could have built a life for himself outside of his obsession with Daisy and the past they shared. But he never allowed himself that opportunity. Instead, he fixated on an ideal that wasn’t real.

In the end, Gatsby's death serves as a tragic reminder that the pursuit of an unattainable dream can only lead to sorrow. As Nick Carraway, the novel’s narrator, observes at the end of the story: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.”

Moving Beyond the Dream

For me, one of the most poignant moments of the book is when Nick reflects on Gatsby’s belief in the “green light,” symbolizing his eternal hope for a perfect future. But, just like Gatsby, we must face the reality that dreams don’t always materialize as we expect. The moral here is clear: chasing after an ideal without recognizing its impossibility leads only to disappointment.

Conclusion: The Cost of Gatsby’s Dream

Ultimately, Gatsby’s moral is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind idealism, the corrupting influence of wealth, and the heartbreaking consequences of chasing an unattainable dream. While Gatsby was a man of incredible ambition and vision, his refusal to accept the limitations of reality led to his undoing.

The novel reminds us that while it’s important to pursue our dreams, we must also ground ourselves in the reality of the present, lest we fall victim to the same tragic fate as Gatsby. So, next time you’re tempted to chase a dream that feels out of reach, remember Gatsby’s story—sometimes, the most important thing is to let go of the past and live in the now.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.