There was something gorgeous about Gatsby. Compare and contrast the statement from two characters point of view.

“Self-control! repeated Tom incredulously. “I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and watch Mr Nobody from Nowhere to make love to your wife. Well if that’s the idea you can count me out...”          (page 137)

Although it is not specified in the text the readers can guess in what tone these words are shouted, in a tone of contempt and almost of disgustingness.  Tom does not find anything gorgeous about Jay Gatsby when the accident happens he almost goes to the point of insulting him of coward because he did not stop to enquire what had happened. In summary Tom despises Jay Gatsby because he is a nouveau riche that lied about his background so he could steal his wife. He does not have any sane occupation and he is a self made man with deal in unclean businesses.

        Nick’s view is completely different from Tom’s. From the beginning there is something about Gatsby to which he is attracted by. He says “I could see nothing sinister about him.” As opposed to the careless attitude that Daisy, Tom and Jordan manifest various times and in contrast to the crowds of people at Gatsby’s lavish parties. Gatsby’s background interests him as he wonders what drove this man to become someone. Although he does not suspect it at first he soon finds out that all the exaggerated luxury and parties are to attract Daisy back to Gatsby. Even the location of his house (right across the bay from Daisy’s) is carefully thought to achieve his dream. Even though Nick says:

“I disapproved of him from beginning to end.” (page 162)

 He does find something gorgeous and great in Jay Gatsby. What leaves him in awe is Gatsby’s ability to pursue his dream by whatever means. Jay Gatsby leaves only for one dream. When he had met Daisy five years from when the story is set he fell in love with her and she promised him to wait for him after the war but she married Tom. However, Gatsby does not see that as an obstacle he merely sees it as an act of foolishness from Daisy. Gatsby is well aware that his poorly educated background does not put him in great light. He is also aware that he is not of the same social rank as Daisy and therefore to win her back he did everything in his power to become fabulously wealthy, have an outstanding education and be courteous like a real gentleman is. The “gorgeousness” that radiates from him comes from his ability to have planned everything moment of his life in order to achieve one dream. From a “poor fellow” from North Dakota he became the wealthy, interesting, well connected gentlemen of East Egg. Nick is impressed by this ability to be so determined. Gatsby believes so much in his dream that he even believes he can repeat the past:

“You can’t repeat the past? He cried incredulously. Why of course you can!” (page 116)

And another important fact was that although Gatsby was corrupted and dealt with strange people he was honest. He was not like Tom and Daisy, he was not careless of consequences.

        Throughout the novel only a few characters express what they feel towards Gatsby amongst them, Jordan and Daisy. The author leaves it up to the reader to decide if after all his corruption and his flaws Gatsby was great or not. However, it is important to keep in mind that this novel is set back in the 1920’s and that the times were really very different. The social ranks and beliefs of one another were much more important than nowadays. In my personal opinion I do think that there was something gorgeous about Gatsby. He had a dream and a purpose, he did everything he could to achieve this but failed to realize that because of different conditions it was impossible for him to seize it. He came from so far for nothing but his personal qualities and especially his determination and honesty make him a “gorgeous” but fool man.