Gatsby Initially a Hero Declared an Anti Hero
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When first introduced, Gatsby is portrayed as a hero, but archetypically he is not a real hero. Fitzgerald creates an illusion of Gatsby to illustrate his theatrical approach to life. When first meeting him, Nick describes Gatsby's "heightened sensitivity to the promises of life" (5). But later in the novel Nick admits, "I felt a certain shame for Gatsby" (177), showing his image of Gatsby had changed throughout the book. Gatsby has the ability to transform his dreams and hopes into reality, appearing to outsiders the exact way he wants to appear even though he is not as noble as he seems. The archetypes of a hero consist of the Quest, the Initiation, and the Sacrificial Scapegoat; none of which Gatsby fits completely as a hero.
The Quest archetype involves a hero who undergoes a long journey consisting of seemingly impossible tasks, unanswerable riddles, and seemingly undefeatable obstacles in order to save a kingdom, and even marry a princess. Gatsby has no kingdom to save, but goes straight for the princess: Daisy. His quest is none other than to gain Daisy's love, and as Nick points out to the readers, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us."(189)...