Abstract

Owning to The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald won a high admiration and reputation in the world literature. He was regarded as one of the leading figures of American novelists in 1920s. This masterpiece has been discussed so many years by academic or non-academic readers all over the world in terms of its unique style, plot and disillusionment of American dream. Among all these characters in this novel, Gatsby is the most special one. The legendary life and experience of Gatsby are described by Nick Caraway, a character in the novel who is the neighbor of Gatsby. 

This thesis analyzes the conflicting personality of Gatsby in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, who is a successful businessman and a gentle lover at the same time. As a businessman Gatsby is realistic and shrewd, while in his romantic relationship with Daisy he is innocent and naive. Self-disciplined and calculating as he is, he lets himself indulge in that relationship. Through a careful analysis of Gatsby’s conflicting personality, the present thesis reveals the reasons for Gatsby’s ultimate failure in realizing his dream in spite of his abilities.

Keywords: Jay Gatsby; conflicting personality; causes

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Introduction-1

1.-F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby-1

2.-Literature Review of The Great Gatsby-1

3.-Layout of the Paper-3

Chapter One A Mature and Naïve Gatsby-4

1.1 A Mature Gatsby-4

1.1.1 Gatsby’s Generosity to His guests-4

1.1.2Gatsby and General Affairs-5

1.1.3 Gatsby and Nick-6

1.2 A Naïve Gatsby-7

Chapter Two Self-disciplined and Indulgent-10

2.1 Gatsby’s Self-discipline-10

2.2 Gatsby’s Indulgence-12

Chapter Three The Causes Resulting in the Conflicting Personalities-13

3.1 Gatsby’s Imagination-13

3.2 Gatsby’s spiritual pursuit-14

Conclusion-16

References-17