Student Essay on The Art of Sacrifice in The Great Gatsby

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The Art of Sacrifice in The Great Gatsby

Summary:   The art of sacrifice is explored with much detail in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby. There are many examples of sacrifice, as Nick sacrifices his principles, Gatsby sacrifices his life for Daisy, Daisy sacrifices Gatsby for her marriage and protection by Tom, and Myrtle sacrifices her marriage for material wealth and status.

The Art of Sacrifice

a)Explain who has made the sacrifice and what has been sacrificed and why. Link this with the American Dream.

b)How is this an 'art' of sacrifice?

c)What other examples of the art of sacrifice are evident in the novel?

The Art of Sacrifice is explored with much detail in 'The Great Gatsby'. There are many examples of sacrifice, as Nick sacrifices his principles, Gatsby sacrifices his life for Daisy, Daisy sacrifices Gatsby for her marriage and protection by Tom and Myrtle sacrifices her marriage for material wealth and status.

At the beginning of the novel, Nick begins with a piece of advice given to him by his father. He states that his father told him "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages you've had." Nick goes on to describe the way he would "reserve all judgments" and of his "tolerance."

Nick's principles and way of going about things is clearly shown in the introduction to the first chapter. However, as the novel progresses on Nick's view begins to change. Nick develops a friendly relationship with Gatsby as he sees that behind the corruption on the outside, is the love and deep devotion for Daisy. Nick no longer acts in is "reserved ways" but to Gatsby, will make judgments. He even states. "You're acting like a little boy" or "Not only that, but you're rude" which are very critical statements which he is unafraid to sound out to Gatsby.

His sacrifice of principles in reserving himself is brought about by the want to help Gatsby as he truly sees the innocence in Gatsby's dream. It is almost as if Nick wants Gatsby's illusion much like the American Dream to happen even though he knows that there is not much hope in achieving it. Nevertheless, Nick makes the sacrifice.

Jay Gatsby holds a dream of having Daisy to himself and believes in a fantasy where he and Daisy love each other and live happily ever after. In order to achieve his ideal dream, he is involved in corruption and illegal practices to attain his millions. He sacrifices principles of good and right for Daisy. This is the opposite of the American Dream which conditions that the good, honorable and hard working are rewarded. He is so consumed by his dream that he is willing to sacrifice his life for her.

Gatsby seems to loose everything but he still holds on to his illusion and clings to a glimmer of hope he has for Daisy to leave Tom for him. However, Daisy has no intention on doing so. This is a very tragic loss to Gatsby, as everything he has ever done, was for Daisy. He hoped to gain worthiness for her by having material wealth yet ironically, as the book shows, it is Daisy that is not worthy of him. At the beginning of the book, Daisy is portrayed as pure, innocent and naïve as shown in "they were both in white and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house." The use of a simile here is effective in conveying that character of Daisy as an innocent woman full of virtue.

Fitzgerald uses ironic contrast by later revealing the qualities of corruption and dishonesty that Daisy really possesses. The illusion he creates in his mind becomes more and more unrealistic as the book progresses, leaving him finally standing outside Daisy's house waiting and alone. This final image in chapter seven is possibly the most heartbreaking images of the book. Gatsby is left hopelessly waiting for Daisy, saying "I'm just going to wait here and see if he tries to bother her about that unpleasantness this afternoon", while in reality, he was "watching over nothing."

The fact that Gatsby spends so much time, effort, heart and soul into waiting for a life with Daisy; sacrificing everything, even his life is tragic and shows the tribulations of his dream. In truth, Daisy was the one not worthy of Gatsby; linking again, to the idea of the American Dream where everyone has a chance to achieve that perfect life, but in fact the dream is corrupted and brings false hope.

Daisy is at first, a woman portrayed as innocent and elegant. She is married to a rich man with high social status. It is revealed to the reader that Daisy was once going to marry Gatsby but he had to go to war and she could no longer wait for his return. The result was her marriage to Tom. As Gatsby returns and gains economic power and material wealth, Daisy begins to notice him again. However, Jay Gatsby could never give her the economic position and social status that Tom could offer.

Daisy although seems to love Gatsby and in a way wants to leave Tom for Gatsby cannot bring herself to do so. Although it is no completely clear in the novel whether her feelings for Gatsby are totally genuine, it is evident she does have some sort of feelings for Gatsby, but because of Tom's power in society she stays with him. Daisy sacrifices her lover for her marriage to Tom where she can have protection and security. This protection and security provided by Tom is especially noted in the later part of the book when Tom finds out about Daisy and Gatsby's affair and also about the car crash.

Tom is there to sort everything out, although it may not be a joyous process, he is able to use his power to 'get rid' of the troubles and they may resume their lives as if nothing has happened. Daisy's decision to sacrifice Gatsby for her marriage could also be viewed from the perspective on the American Dream. It is evident that Daisy wants to fit into the mould of the American Dream, where she is rich, has a healthy child and a caring husband. Even though she may not be entirely happy, she can be satisfied with the dream and let others at least believe she has a caring husband and 'the perfect life'.

Myrtle is a married woman from the average social class. Her husband is not a rich man. Myrtle has an affair with Tom and seeks hopefully the eventual marriage to Tom where she may have the material wealth she so longingly yearns for. However, this is false hope from the very beginning. To Tom, Myrtle is simply a possession of his and does not see her has much value to him. He does not care much for her and gives her false hope in thinking she will one day be his wife and he will leave his wife.

Myrtles' ignorance of her false expectations leads her to foolishly sacrifice her marriage for nothing. Evidence of this false hope is shown in the symbolism of the dog collar. Tom buys Myrtle a dog and an expensive dog collar which she treasures dearly. This is carefully juxtaposed by the expensive jewels that Tom buys for his wife. Myrtle is so satisfied with just a dog collar while Tom gives Daisy gifts of much more value. For material wealth, she is willing to give up her marriage. Myrtle's hunger for the perfect life and American Dream to be rich, wealth with a dream husband leads her to also end up sacrificing for less than she could have hoped for.

The surrendering of objects of value by various characters in the novel is an 'art' of sacrifice. It is an 'art' sacrifice because it is not simply the destruction of something valued or desired for the sake of something, which it may seem on the outside, but a carefully crafted act, mould to achieve a higher claim. It is a loss entailed by devotion to some dearer object and it could mean ruining the interests of someone to achieve that desired object. The sacrifice is made because of a deep personal understanding and it is a significant gesture that could mean success or complete devastation.

Tom sacrifices his mistress Myrtle to save his marriage and prevent Daisy from leaving.

Tom and Daisy sacrifice their way of life by moving away at the end of the novel to avoid the Gatsby affair altogether.

Jordan Baker sacrifices a life dependant on another (man) by being independent, so she can live the life with the rich, clinging instead to the Buchanans.

George sacrifices his morals (he kills Gatsby) and then sacrifices his own life by committing suicide.