In today's society, greatness can come of fame, fortune and generosity. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby had to overcome many incredible feats and obstacles in order to gain the title of "great"". Gatsby held extravagant parties, he had all of the wealth in the world, and was a man of great generosity. Any of those qualities are special and rare but finding an individual with all of them doesn't happen very often. Gatsby's most important characteristic however was his hope, his optimism in all aspects of life is what truly made him great and why he embodies the idea of the American Dream. .
Gatsby begins life as just an ordinary, lower class citizen with absolutely nothing to his name. He grew up with a dream of leaving his life on the farm behind and becoming part of the upper class. Even Gatsby's father knew he was special when he said, "If he'd of lived he'd of been a great man "(176). Little did his father know that Gatsby died a great man. He might not have always done the right thing to gain his wealth but no body is perfect. Gatsby's entire existence was centered around achieving his own happiness along with happiness for others, which he displayed by throwing crazy parties. Gatsby was so selfless that after Daisy killed Myrtle Wilson while driving his car he offered to take the blame: "Was Daisy driving? " "Yes, but of course I'll say I was "(151). Saving Daisy's life by keeping her out of jail was the last great thing that Gatsby would do. He dedicated his life to pursuit of happiness and that is what made him so great. .
The most important scene in the book is when Gatsby offers to take the blame for Daisy killing Myrtle because it demonstrates his self-sacrificing attitude towards life. After everything that Daisy put him through by saying she wanted to be with him then getting scared and changing her mind Gatsby was still stood by her whether she knew it or not: "I want to wait here till Daisy goes to bed "(153).