Gatsby: the Byronic Hero

1. By: Feda Yacoub, Allyson Tierney, Melissa Lao, Jade Ortiz, Allison Fisher Gatsby: the Byronic Hero

2. Characteristics of a Byronic Hero • Exhibits conflicting emotions and excessive moodiness; • Is passionate about a particular issue; • Can be introspective and critical of himself; • Struggles with his own sense of integrity; • Operates largely within his own set of rules and principles; • Rejects accepted codes and norms of society; • Is fiercely independent and strongly individual; • Is a loner (whether imposed by society or self-imposed); • Displays a lack of respect for rank and privilege; • Has a troubled or mysterious past; • Can be cynical, demanding, and arrogant; • Exhibits self-destructive tendencies and behavior.

3. In the novel The Great Gatsby, the character Gatsby exhibits conflicting emotions and self-destructive tendencies. For example: Although Gatsby wants to meet Daisy again, he is too afraid to ask her directly. He goes to an enormous amount of trouble to meet her. While Jordan and Nick are on a date, Jordan casually brings up that Gatsby wants to meet Daisy, without her knowing. At the tea party with Daisy, Gatsby becomes nervous before she arrives. After Daisy arrives, he becomes awkward and silent, but as time goes on things become more normal and their love is rejuvenated. During the party, Gatsby realizes that Daisy is not enjoying herself and he becomes upset over it. Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Gatsby

4. Throughout the book, the reader discovers that Gatsby is very passionate about Daisy. He attempts to impress her which shows his passion and devotion to her. For example: He buys the house across from her. He orchestrates parties in hope that she comes. He shows her around his house and his beautiful shirts. Daisy reacts by saying, “They’re such beautiful shirts… shirts before” (Fitzgerald 92). The tea party at Nick’s house, Gatsby send over flowers, sends people to mow Nick’s lawn, and brings the silverware from his house. Passionate About Daisy and Money

5. Gatsby, throughout the novel, exhibits doubts and criticisms about himself. For example: The book revealed by Gatsby’s dad Gatsby was ashamed of his name. His original name was James Gatz, but due to his embarrassment, he changed his name to Jay Gatsby. He is also ashamed of his family. The book revealed Gatsby’s agenda and his plans for his future. Self-criticism of Gatsby

6. Rejects Norms of Society • By Gatsby abandoning the rules of society, he shows that he acts on his own set of rules. • For example: • He takes part in organized criminal activity. • He distributes large quantities of alcohol at his parties • He hosts large, elaborate parties almost every night. • His books were not hollow but actual books. Most rich people possessed hollow books to look important.

7. Loner and Independent • Gatsby is characterized as a loner and works independently. • For example: • Gatsby hosts lavish parties but stays in his library watching everyone else have fun. • He tells Nick that he does not enjoy the parties. • He works alone in his office answering phone calls.

8. Lack of Respect for Rank • Gatsby disrespects traditions of Old Money and thinks he is of equal rank. • For example: • Gatsby says to Tom, “I’m right across from you” (Fitzgerald 118). - In this quote, Gatsby is saying he is of equal rank of Tom. • Gatsby disrespects Tom. (Old Money v. New Money) “Your wife doesn’t love you… She loves me.” (Fitzgerald 130) Gatsby is saying that Daisy does not love Tom; she loves Gatsby. Gatsby does not care that Tom has higher prestige, he speaks what he wants to Tom. • Gatsby’s affair with Daisy.

9. Mysterious Past • Gatsby is not open to sharing his past with others. • Gatsby is caught telling lies. - Nick states, “And with this doubt… sinister about him, after all” (Fitzgerald 65). This quote shows that Nick caught on to Gatsby’s lie. -Gatsby talks to Nick in the car on their way to the city. • As Gatsby and Nick are driving to the city, Gatsby stumbles over his words as he’s telling Nick about his past and he shows Nick his medals. By doing so, he tries to make his story believable. • Dan Cody was Gatsby’s mentor. By traveling alongside Cody, Gatsby fell in love with wealth and luxury. Gatsby does not drink much because he saw how alcohol affected Cody’s life. • Rumors- At Gatsby’s parties people gossip, and one of the rumors about Gatsby is that he once killed a man. • Meyer Wolfsheim is a business associate and friend of Gatsby’s. He “fixed” the 1919 World Series. • Wolfsheim says, “He’s an Oggsford man” (Fitzgerald 71). Gatsby said he went to OXFORD College, NOT OGGSFORD College. • Gatsby is always taking calls about his private business. • Klipspringer is a shallow freeloader who took advantage of Gatsby’s money. After Gatsby dies, he calls Nick just to get his tennis shoes back.

10. Can be cynical, demanding, and arrogant • The fight between Tom and Gatsby in the Plaza Hotel shows Gatsby’s cynical, demanding, and arrogant characteristics. • He shows arrogance by saying Daisy never loved Tom and that Daisy should be with him. • Cynical: believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity. concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them. (Google) • Gatsby’s self interest is Daisy. He is motivated by Daisy and everything he does is for her. • Gatsby is distrusting because he lies about his past but at the same time, he’s just doing it for Daisy.

11. Conclusion • Throughout the book, Gatsby demonstrates the characteristics of a Byronic hero. Gatsby is bold towards new money and he is passionate about Daisy. Gatsby faces internal conflicts throughout the novel. His internal conflicts lead to him becoming an emotionally, unstable man. This leads to his demise.

12. https://www.google.com/#q=cynical+definition Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, Print. Bibliography