Jealousy

Jealousy plays a huge part in the Great Gatsby. Not only is it a theme, but it is what the whole story is based upon. The definition of jealousy is a "jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, or against another's success or advantage itself." It is wanting or desiring something that is not yours or something that you cannot have. In the Great Gatsby, different types of jealousy exist such as jealousy with money, jealousy with other people's spouses, and jealousy of being wealthy.

In the story, jealousy is heated up in the affairs that the characters have. In the beginning, Tom receives a call from his mistress, Myrtle and Daisy follows right after him. She acts like nothing is happening when it is obvious that he is having an affair. Daisy is oblivious even though she knows something fishy is going on with her husband. Unaware of his wife's past relationship with Jay Gatsby, Tom breaks off when he finds out about Daisy and Gatsby's affair as well. I guess it's karma too because Tom has an affair with Myrtle, while Daisy has hers with Gatsby. In my opinion, I feel pity for George Wilson, Myrtle's husband because he does not deserve to have have a wife who cheats on him because he is a very kind and respectful man. In the end, jealousy is in each of the character's hearts and also regrets with having an affair and cheating on their spouses.

Jealousy with money and wealth is also another big theme in the Great Gatsby. Most of the people are not content with what they have even if it's already a luxurious life because they just want more and more. For example, the West Egg people are jealous of the inherited wealth of the East Egg because they didn't have to work for it to earn it. While on the other hand, the West Egg people had to obtain all their riches some way of working or illegal business. Nick is also another good example for jealousy. At first, he meets Gatsby and envies Gatsby's mansion and luxurious life. Then later on, he accepts it and becomes very close to Gatsby. Although Nick has a very beautiful home, he wishes he had a little more riches, though he is a content person and grateful for what he has.

Jealousy plays a big part on the Great Gatsby because it truly shows the true colors of people. Whether it's jealousy of other people's wealth and riches, or desiring some other else's spouse, we learn that we should be content with what we were given and not envying others.

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