Gatsby as a Role Model

Gatsby as a Role Model

When a person chooses a path in their life, it is often the result of a role model that inspired them or they desired to emulate. A role model can be somebody that a person has known their entire life, such as a family member or friend, or a person that they meet that altars the course of their life or the decisions they make in their life. Role models, in the eyes of an individual, are considered an exception to society and their presence is noticed. The traits of a role model are someone for people to look up to and aspire to be. Gatsby was a role model, who was a rare exception in society, which one may only come across a few times in life.

Gatsby was an individual who took his dreams and turned them into reality. Goal setting and achievement is a very admirable trait. When Gatsby was a boy, his family was poor. He grew up on a farm with his parents who did not have a lot of money, nor social status. Gatsby, however, believed that he wasn't their child. He believed he was a child of God. Gatsby created himself to be the vision that a seventeen year old boy would envision. He went to work on a yacht and gained the trust of the owner. When the owner died, Gatsby gained an understanding of a better life. He received an education and he learned the lifestyle of those that he aspired to be someday. He didn't just dream of a better life; a life of wealth and luxury, he learned how to live that life. He set his goals on achieving a better life and didn't allow anything to get in his way. This was the most admirable part of Gatsby that "to this conception he was faithful to the end" (Fitzgerald 98). He envisioned, created and achieved a better life for himself.

Gatsby had characteristics that every individual should acquire. Gatsby's charisma, loyalty, and kindness were characteristics that are admirable. Gatsby showed loyalty and devotion to Daisy whom he loved. Gatsby went out of his way, including creating an entirely new life, so he could be with Daisy. Gatsby never stopped loving Daisy even after he fought in World War I and she married Tom. He stayed faithful to her. Gatsby proved loyal when Daisy ran over Myrtle Gatsby and took the blame. He later waited outside of Tom and Daisy's house to make sure Daisy was safe and that Tom didn't beat her. Even after Daisy leaves, Gatsby still loved her.

Gatsby also had strong moral values. He didn't drink. He didn't hit women. He believed in being loyal to friends. And he believed in one true love. He wasn't perfect, but he believed the ends justified the means. Everything he did was for a greater purpose and with the objective of achieving his goal to be with his soul mate.

In today's world, where the role models are based more on fame and fortune, than ideals and values, it is nice to have literature available to find a role-model such