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The Collapse of One’s Superficial Identity in the Great Gatsby

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The Collapse Of One’s Superficial Identity In The Great Gatsby

In the novel The Great Gatsby a superficial identity is shown through the character of Jay Gatsby. The construction of one’s superficial identity that is to say an identity built on the past collapses and with that ones true self. Gatsby character develops this through his relationship with Daisy, Nick and Tom. Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy is the main reason he creates his superficial identity and the central reason his true self collapses. He creates his superficial identity to achieve his goal of reclaiming the love he and Daisy share. A conversation between Nick and Jordan proves that Gatsby will go to any lengths to get what he desires, which in this case is Daisy:
NICK. “It was a strange coincidence.” I said.
JORDAN. “But it wasn’t a coincidence at all.”
NICK.”Why not?”
JORDAN. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (78)

Gatsby goes out of his way to buy a house near her, proving that he would go to great lengths to get what he desires. To Gatsby Daisy is the final piece to him and is merely a pawn he uses in the steps he is taking to reach this superficial persona of himself. Near the end of the novel, Daisy shatters Gatsby facade when she tells him: ‘’’I can’t help what’s past.’ She began to sob helplessly. ‘I did love him once but I loved you too’ Gatsby’s eyes opened and closed. ‘You loved him too?’ he repeated.” (132) This moment shows that Gatsby would much rather stay in a ‘fool’s paradise’ and stay oblivious to the concept of reality, but when he is forced to face the truth, he loses the one he loves and a part of his true self collapses. This shows the turning point within Gatsby, when he realizes that Daisy loves someone else, his idea of their life together is completely altered. This illusion of the life he creates for them in his mind

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