Dreams

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

In chapter 5, Gatsby finally reunited with Daisy. As I was reading this chapter, I kept thinking of how excited Gatsby must have felt that his dream of speaking with Daisy again was finally coming true. For the past five years in his life, Gatsby dreamt and hoped that he could visit with Daisy again. When the time came for tea, he was frightened and wanted to leave. I can't imagine that he was afraid of seeing Daisy, but I think that he was frightened that his visit with her would not live up to his hopes for that moment. I think that he feared being rejected and losing Daisy again. This certainly was not the outcome. "I think that voice held him most, with its fluctuation, feverish warmth, because it couldn't be over-dreamed" (Fitzgerald, 96). His visit with Daisy was everything for which he had hoped. He had regained a lost friend. 

I think that Gatsby's hope to meet with Daisy can teach a lesson. Dreams are necessary to accomplish that which is important in life. Each person's dreams are different, but all are necessary. As the Olympics continue, they display the hopes and desires of so many athletes culminated into one moment of glorious competition. Commercials tell stories of struggles that athletes overcame and how athletes started for the Olympics at the age of seven because they watched their idol compete for gold. Not all hopes and dreams will lead to the Olympics. Some will lead to college graduation, and others to earning an A on a test. No matter what a person's dream is, it should be pursued and held close to one's heart. In time and with work, one's dream will be met.