Is Jay Gatsby someone to envy or pity in The Great Gatsby?

This intriguing question can be argued either way. In the end, it depends on a reader’s interpretation of what in Gatsby’s life was worthwhile. Let’s look at both sides .

“Jay Gatsby is someone to envy.”

In many ways, he is. He is handsome, smart, incredibly wealthy, and popular. He lives in a colossal mansion on the water with “Marie Antoinette music rooms,” “Restoration salons,” “bedrooms swathed in rose and lavender silk,” “dressing rooms and...

This intriguing question can be argued either way. In the end, it depends on a reader’s interpretation of what in Gatsby’s life was worthwhile. Let’s look at both sides .

“Jay Gatsby is someone to envy.”

In many ways, he is. He is handsome, smart, incredibly wealthy, and popular. He lives in a colossal mansion on the water with “Marie Antoinette music rooms,” “Restoration salons,” “bedrooms swathed in rose and lavender silk,” “dressing rooms and poolrooms, and bathrooms with sunken baths.” Servants to cater to his every whim. He drives a custom car and only buys the best of anything: abundant clothes from England, first edition books, live entertainment, catered food, top quality alcoholic drinks, despite Prohibition. His wealth gives him the power to purchase anything he wants the moment he wants it. He could travel the world if he chose; women flock to him. He appears to have a life of ease and pleasure, with little strenuous work involved.

“Jay Gatsby is someone to pity.”

Despite his material success, Gatsby never achieved complete happiness in life. Most of his friendships were superficial, as shown by the lack of people who made an effort to go to his funeral. Klipspringer, who stayed free at Gatsby’s mansion for several weeks, only calls to see if he can get a pair of shoes he left there. He cannot attend the funeral because his friends want him to join them on a picnic. Even Wolfsheim stays away. As Owl Eyes says at the graveside, “Why, my God! they used to go there by the hundreds…the poor son-of-a-bitch.”

He also was a man who had one desire in life and worked tirelessly to achieve it: to win Daisy. In his mind, he only needed lots of money. He didn’t understand how shallow and selfish Daisy was. When she finally confesses that she did love Tom when she married him, she said to Gatsby, “But I loved you too.” This shocks Gatsby and shakes the elaborate fantasy he has created more than anything else could.  Even when she leaves him to take the blame for Myrtle’s death, he still believes she will call. If one looks at Gatsby as a man who had his one overpowering dream shattered, he is an object of pity.