Tarik Buljubasic
Mr. Jennings
English 3
February 24th, 2014
The Great Criticism of Gatsby
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in
conjunction. The Great Gatsby is awfully great at putting up oxymorons all over the text which I hadn’t
known before. An oxymoron is also a contradiction and an oxymoron itself with oxy meaning smart and
moron meaning dumb. Peter L. Hays brings up the idea that “The Great Gatsby” symbolizes America
through oxymorons in his work “The Oxymoron in The Great Gatsby”. After reading his work I can
say that I strongly agree with the point he’s making. The Great Gatsby represents America with
oxymorons through social class, a changing America, and the deceiving character of America and its
citizens.
Hays starts off by explaining how Gatsby himself is an oxymoron. Gatsby is built as this big
figure but when he was having tea with Daisy he completely broke down. Gatsby had been with women
and Daisy as well before that. He had also been within the ranks of the army. How does a man whos
built himself up be broken down by a women he already knew? Hays also states that while Gatsby was
with Dan Cody he was surrounded by women. They sailed the continent three times and he had women
rub champagne in his hair. Yes I know Gatsby is a ladies man, but Daisy isn’t just another lady to him,
shes the love of his life.
This idea of social class is expressed through many characters besides Gatsby. Hays talks about
this instance where Nick Carraway doesn't need to inform people about his affair with his bank
accountant but he must apologize about doing what he has done with Jordan Baker. Since the bank
accountant isn't in the same social station as everyone else then shes nothing, not important. Gatsby is
perfect for Daisy but I know they would never become a couple. Hays mentions that there are also
ranks in each social station, like levels of rich. Daisy wouldn't leave Tom for Gatsby she feels safety in
staying with “her own kind”. Gatsby will try, try, and try again but will never get Daisy, in my eyes he’s
just a great failure.
Hays notices assault against a few of the characters in The Great Gatsby, one Tom Buchanan.
Toms drinking problem is addressed multiple times along with him cheating on Daisy with Myrtle
Wilson. Tom also represents nation figures like Babe Ruth who was reported with hangovers. Tom and
men arent the only ones assaulted, theres also Jordan Baker who’s accused of lying and cheating in golf.
In my eyes this is a great way to show that America doesn't only have twisted males, but females as
well. I believe that everyone knows Tom is a bad person but they mustn't forget that he isn't the only
one. People shouldn’t only associate males with poor behavior because there are women as well.
Hays also sees how The Great Gatsby captures the changes that were going on in America. I’m
also aware of how America made a great change in society and character after the industrial revolution
in the nineteenth century. The industry of automobiles were booming and the mention of cars in the book
like Nick’s, Tom’s, Gatsby’s several, Wilson’s and the wayside garages with new red gas­pumps. The
middle class was rising; Nick is a bond salesman, recent immigrants, and Negroes being driven by white
chauffeurs. Characters like Tom fear that their position is being challenged by non­Nordic races and
nobodies. I’m also aware of people like Tom that were around that despised the rise of the lower class.
The country of America was growing which was fine to people but they didn't want there to be more
people that were successful. How does a country so bent on greatness have people who wish to see
others no as successful as them?
Becoming rich and successful was reached in many different ways that aren't available
now­a­days. Not being able to become any sort of pro athlete Gatsby turned to crime to acquire riches
as many did during Prohibition. Hays notes that corruption was pandemic throughout America and was
around every corner. Men who built large operations through monopolization, John D. Rockefeller and
James J. Hill, wouldn't be seen in these days. Men who saw the opportunity and took it. The same men
I had heard about during the industrial revolution. The line between business practice and criminal
activity was almost invisible. I think this is why there was much on the topic of people like Gatsby and
Wolfsheim since things went from legal to illegal quick in America. Committing crimes and then
becoming rich gives a new meaning to the term filthy rich and contradicts itself like an oxymoron. We’re
always told to follow the law and stay in school to become successful but these men are doing it through
criminal acts.
Hays notes that characters in The Great Gatsby are deceiving. Daisy leaving Tom for Gatsby is
the same morally and legally as Tom cheating on her with Myrtle. Nick feels superior, morally, to all the
other characters but he withholds police information. Daisy is all sweet and loving but runs over
someone. I didn't notice this until I read this review but I agree completely. Hays sees how Fitzgerald
portrays America riddled in corruption with America being this two sided being. Just walking down the
street and seeing my neighbor I could infer that he or she is a good person, but I could easily be wrong.
All the characters Fitzgerald portrays in The Great Gatsby are twisted through their actions.
Gatsby is rich, but to people like Tom he is nothing and Gatsby is on the lowest level of rich in the upper
class. America is changing and the characters lean towards corruption with Tom cheating, Nick lying
about valuable police evidence, and Gatsby breaking the law to become rich. Every character deceived
me as I read The Great Gatsby from Daisy leaving her husband is just as bad as Tom cheating on her,
Nick withholding the truth, and Daisy being the sweetest killer. I wasn’t aware of the contradictions
these characters posed until after I read Hays work. The Great Gatsby’s oxymorons strongly represent
Americas contradictions in character. There’s still the question of can this group of wealthy individuals
represent all of America?
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, F. Scott, and Matthew J. Bruccoli. The great Gatsby. New York, NY: Scribner,
1996. Print.
Bloom, Harold. F. Scott Fitzgerald. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House, 2000. Print.