Conflicts in the Great Gatsby

1. Individual vs. societyGatsby vs. the American society in 1920sFrom Nicks perspective, Gatsby might have made vast fortune by illegal means and is capable of behaving same(p) an aristocrat, he is still not respected as the old money from East Egg Gatsbys mansion, his shimmering parties, fancy clothes and cars, cannot erase his past as a low-born farmers son later all. He dreams to be recognized as one of the upper-class people, but is frequently looked down by people like turkey cock Buchanan and the Sloanes who was born noble and is accustomed to live a luxurious smell.Gatsbys struggle to be among a higher societal class is conflict with what he really is wherefore he cannot be seen and treated equally. His tragedy is an evidence of himself being an victim of the society he lived in, where social classes were considered more than valuable than ones inner spirit and materialism was concerned way more than than humanity.2. Characters vs. useGatsby vs. TomFirst of all, Gats by represents the new money and Tom represents the old money. While Gatsby acquired his money by doing illegal businesses, Tom just inherited his money without putting efforts. Nevertheless, Tom still feel privileged over Gatsby due to his kindly family background. This is the first conflict. Second, Gatsby and Tom compete with each other for winning Daisys love. While Gatsby represents the past of Daisy the more innocent and perhaps the ideal of Daisy, Tom represents the reality of her the cynicism and materialism inside of her.Nick vs. JordanWhile Nicks character stands for the idea of justice and honesty, Jordans character is just the opposite. Her cynicism, carelessness and dishonesty is shown clearly through the conversation she had with Nick about driving a car, where Nick describes Jordan as a careless, rotten driver (It takes both to make an accident. Said Jordan. Suppose you met somebody just as careless as yourself. Said Nick. I hope I never will. Said Jordan) and the detail that she has very likely cheated her first gold tournament.Tom vs. George WilsonWhile Tom represents the power of the old money and the aristocratic quality of East Egg, George Wilson represents the ridiculous, working class people and the unenthusiastic characteristic of the Valley of Ashes.Myrtle vs. DaisyAlthough this two characters have never met each other in face, but the qualities and ideas they generate respectively are highly contradictory. Daisy Dressed in white, affected, insubstantialMyrtle Dressed in red, straightforward, fleshy, almost coarse3. Individual vs. dower (fate)Gatsby vs. his upbringingGatsby, as the protagonist in the novel, is a living example of rags to riches he was born poor and his parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people. It seemed that Gatsby was doomed to live a poor and pathetic flavor where he has to work in the farm everyday in order to earn a living. Nevertheless, Gatsbys fantasy about himself was contrary to his real cir cumstances. He believed that he was a Son of God accordingly he must be about his fathers business. Gatsby was motivated by his imaginations so much so he saw the light of hope and decided to grab the opportunity in summit of him immediately when he saw Dan Codys yacht drop anchor over the most baneful flat on Lake Superior. He changed his fate with his own hands and overcame the conflicts.4. The individual vs. himself/herselfGatsby vs. himselfAlthough Gatsby has made most of his dreams lead reality, he is not able to face the part of reality that he cannot change. He cannot admit the fact that Daisy is not as perfect as he imagined to be and he firmly believe that he can repeat the past. He is always blind by his illusions and idealism so much so he is not able to move on. Everything he has done is in pursuing of his self-made illusions something he can only imagine but will never achieve or even take in out in the reality. This quality of Gatsby is harmful to him and ultima tely leads to his death.Nick vs. himselfNick has internal conflicts as he perceives the decadent life in New York. On the one hand, Nick is sick of the cynical, careless attitude that most of the rich people around him hold, and their lavish, materialism lifestyle. On the other hand, Nick also feels curious and attracted to the seemingly mundaneness of those aristocratic people, despite their dishonesty this is shown by Nicks developing romance with Jordan Baker.