English 2600

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…And one fine morning—
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

These are the last words of the book and I think they say a lot. This is Nick telling the story and character of Gatsby's life. He was a very hopeful man, a dreamer. He held onto the past and had the mind set that he could change anything. If things didn't work out once, or several times, he still held onto the dream that he believed the past would eventually become. He died believing and still dreaming.

Some might see this as a negative way of life, but I read this and I see someone with hope, faith and determination. I really admire dreamers, as long as they really strive to achieve and go after their dreams. Gatsby did just that. He didn't take the easy way of life and settle for what was given him, but took risks in order to achieve what he saw as his ideal life. Not a lot of people have the guts to do this, but instead convince themselves that it's not what they really want, or that it's not obtainable. Others are just sitters and watchers who point their fingers and make fun of those struggling to achieve their dreams. Out of these different people, I'd choose to be like Gatsby.