Why is The Great Gatsby tragic? | Top grade Jay Gatsby character analysis

In this video, I give a detailed analysis of Jay Gatsby and his role as a tragic hero in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. Why is his life a tragedy, and what about his characterisation inspires our pity? Also includes analysis of other key characters such as Daisy Buchanan, Nick Carraway, Jordan Baker, Tom Buchanan etc.
For Fitzgerald's essay 'Echoes of the Jazz Age', click here: pdcrodas.webs.ull.es/anglo/Sc...
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[@alberttibbets6567]

What a wonderful analysis! By far the best I've listened to. Accurate and authentic and this shows the result of careful reading and thought. Thank you so much.

[@JenChan]

Thank you for the lovely feedback - I really appreciate it and am so glad you found this insightful :)

[@madone5756]

This is fantastic, these and the other Gatsby videos really provide more perceptive and less traditional interpretations of the novel that a lot of other videos on the site do not. I have my a level exam about Gatsby tomorrow and wish to say thank you as these videos have been so helpful!

[@kookies_kimchi]

Girly you are singlehandedly going to help me pass my essay for ap English TYSM for posting these videos your channel is so underrated!!

[@JenChan]

Thank you! Glad to hear that the videos have helped you :) xxx

[@dylanhammocks]

Hi Jen. This is so useful and resourceful. Thank you! Could you please do the exact same exploring why it’s a tragedy and it’s aspects but for Richard II by Shakespeare?

[@JenChan]

Thanks for letting me know, Dylan - appreciate it :) I suspect Richard II might be a bit niche for my current viewership, but I'll certainly consider for the future!

[@jessica-9291]

This was amazing!!! Your channel will save my grades

[@laetitiaklinkhammer192]

thank you for this video! I'm writing an exam about The Great Gatsby so this was really helpful to understand his character. keep up the great work!

[@JenChan]

Wonderful to hear - glad this helped you with your revision, Laetitia! Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more xxx

[@autisticandproudsnephew3636]

Would it be possible to request videos analysis John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". I'm going into OCR A-level and am required to compare "The Great Gatsby" and/or "The Grapes of Wrath" to a text from a list of American novels.

[@dalmapeller2285]

Thank you so much, this helped me a lot!

[@JenChan]

You're super welcome - glad to hear it! I have more Gatsby videos coming up this month so stay tuned xxx

[@dalmapeller2285]

@@JenChan cant wait

[@mew9766]

This is a really late comment but i havent seen anyone touch on the line about Gatsby “taking” Daisy. Fitzgeralds language is really romanticized and particular and this line has always stood out to me because of this. I think it implies that Gatsby had taken advantage of Daisy during their original relationship. Because of this I feel like it further adds depth and conflicting ideas towards Gatsby character. Do you have any comments on this because Id love to hear them and what it could possibly say about him!

[@JenChan]

You make an intriguing point. Personally, my approach to character interpretation is to avoid adopting a stance of moral judgement, regardless of how 'good' or 'bad' a character may seem. Perhaps we could say that Gatsby had 'taken advantage' of Daisy's wealth and social prestige while they dated, in that his association with her gave him an ego boost which someone like him, coming from a nondescript, working class background, would have especially craved. What do you think?

[@colinthornock6568]

Would you call Gatsby a Tragic Hero?

[@JenChan]

That depends on how we define 'tragic hero'. Gatsby's not a tragic hero in the Aristotelian/classical sense, because he doesn't fall from a high social station (which his nouveau riche wealth cannot buy). But we can definitely see him as a modern 'tragic hero', in that he possesses heroic qualities (selfless sacrifice, romanticising/idealising impulses etc.) and ultimately dies for allowing such qualities to go unrestrained or be misapplied.

[@craigmignone2863]

The first two paragraphs are coupled with the last sentence you've got it.....

[@sranb1647]

Thank you !! This was really helpful

[@sranb1647]

Also, congratulations for the mr salles collab video. I'm so happy you're getting the recognition you deserve!!

[@JenChan]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@JenChan]

Thank you!! Onwards and upwards - as long as my videos help make everyone's revision journey easier, it's all worth it.

[@wistariawhispers937]

volume is not loud enough

[@dorianmarch5811]

Have you read attack on Titan I think you’ll like it

[@dalmapeller2285]

ahaha

[@Lightguardian_HOH]

I'm very traditional so if I see someone marry someone because of necessity? It's not true love and they should've never married in the first place.

[@williampawson5476]

But traditionally.... They are STILL married...

[@zarosderer4447]

problem is 70% of the marriages out there are based on lies, necessity for money, status, comfort and fake emotions...because they want looks or not be alone. Sad part ist that the men who were average in the past are now the new ugly in the new modern world so women will reproduce with only douchbags. Enjoy the end of the world...

[@Ashleymfranklin1990]

They were all cheaters except Meryl husband