“Passion is a catalyst for tragedy in The Great Gatsby.” Discuss the importance of
passion in The
Great Gatsby”
F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a tragedy by nature. Throughout
the novel, passion can be observed as acting as a catalyst for the tragedy which occurs
within the final chapters. Whether it be Tom Buchanan’s passion for dominance and
social status, or Gatsby’s passion for Daisy, viewing her as a beacon of hope in a cruel
and isolating world, each character plays an important role in propelling the force of
the tragedy through their own passions and desires. Somewhat reflecting the
self-indulgent nature of the Roaring 20s, it may be argued that passion holds such
importance within the novel due to the context in which it was written, perhaps being
used as a means of expressing Fitzgerald’s own views on the hedonistic society in
which The Great Gatsby was both written and set.
Arguably the most significant portrayal of passion in The Great Gatsby, thus acting as
a catalyst for tragedy, Gatsby’s passion for Daisy holds great magnitude within the
context of the novel. It is this passion that the protagonist holds which acts as his
motivation to better his life; his grand mansion, his lavish parties, his expensive shirts
are all just expressions of Gatsby’s passion for Daisy. In chapter 3 of the novel,
depictions of the overtly indulgent and extravagant party that Gatsby hosts- including
the ‘pyramid of pulpless halves’, the ‘corps of caterers’, or the whole orchestra-
further reiterate this notion of the immoderation and excess of Gatsby’s lifestyle, all
due to the passion he holds for Daisy. The somewhat militaristic semantics of the
‘corps of caterers’ suggests that this whole ordeal is less of a party and more of an
operation; an operation to grasp the attention of Daisy. This proves to be particularly
significant as it is this passion which acts as an agent for the tension in chapter chapter
7. It is this tension between Gatsby and Tom which triggers somewhat of a domino
effect, ultimately resulting in the tragic deaths of both Myrtle and Gatsby himself.
Therefore, it is plausible to argue that if it were not for Gatsby’s passion for Daisy,
most of the tragedy in the novel would not occur.
passion in The
Great Gatsby”
F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a tragedy by nature. Throughout
the novel, passion can be observed as acting as a catalyst for the tragedy which occurs
within the final chapters. Whether it be Tom Buchanan’s passion for dominance and
social status, or Gatsby’s passion for Daisy, viewing her as a beacon of hope in a cruel
and isolating world, each character plays an important role in propelling the force of
the tragedy through their own passions and desires. Somewhat reflecting the
self-indulgent nature of the Roaring 20s, it may be argued that passion holds such
importance within the novel due to the context in which it was written, perhaps being
used as a means of expressing Fitzgerald’s own views on the hedonistic society in
which The Great Gatsby was both written and set.
Arguably the most significant portrayal of passion in The Great Gatsby, thus acting as
a catalyst for tragedy, Gatsby’s passion for Daisy holds great magnitude within the
context of the novel. It is this passion that the protagonist holds which acts as his
motivation to better his life; his grand mansion, his lavish parties, his expensive shirts
are all just expressions of Gatsby’s passion for Daisy. In chapter 3 of the novel,
depictions of the overtly indulgent and extravagant party that Gatsby hosts- including
the ‘pyramid of pulpless halves’, the ‘corps of caterers’, or the whole orchestra-
further reiterate this notion of the immoderation and excess of Gatsby’s lifestyle, all
due to the passion he holds for Daisy. The somewhat militaristic semantics of the
‘corps of caterers’ suggests that this whole ordeal is less of a party and more of an
operation; an operation to grasp the attention of Daisy. This proves to be particularly
significant as it is this passion which acts as an agent for the tension in chapter chapter
7. It is this tension between Gatsby and Tom which triggers somewhat of a domino
effect, ultimately resulting in the tragic deaths of both Myrtle and Gatsby himself.
Therefore, it is plausible to argue that if it were not for Gatsby’s passion for Daisy,
most of the tragedy in the novel would not occur.
