Throughout history, few people have managed to earn the title of “the Great”. Catherine the Great of Russia and Alexander the Great of Greece are two significant examples. They reached their positions through immense achievements, placing them well above average. According to Google Dictionary, to be considered great one must have “an ability, quality, or eminence considerably above normal or average.” In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, many characters are described using different key adjectives like "exciting" and "robust." The main character, Jay Gatsby, is described as "brilliant." He is later revealed to be a corrupt businessman whose entire life is focused on one goal. The greatness of Jay Gatsby has often been debated, but the evidence continues to show that even through his flaws, corrupt ways, and elaborate lies, Gatsby is great because his ability to dream and hope for a better future elevates him to -above average and gives power to the American. The dream as ideal. Nick believes that Gatsby's saving virtue that sets him above average is his ability to hope and his ability to persevere toward his dreams at all costs. Finally, when describing Gatsby's dream, he says, "Gatsby believed in the green light, in the orgastic future that, year after year, recedes before us." He escaped us then, but it doesn't matter: tomorrow we will run faster, we will stretch out our arms. further... And one fine morning..." (Fitzgerald 180). It is clear that at least from Nick's point of view, Gatsby is above the norm. "Gatsby believed in the green light [...] He escaped us". Gatsby is shown as having the ability to believe in something, in this case the symbolic nature of the green light, but this ability is contrasted...... middle of paper ...... ican Dream. Gatsby is ultimately a great man because his ability to hope and persevere in achieving his dreams gives him a "quality considerably above normal or average." His corruption and unpleasant practices do not take much away from the greatness of a man who could create an entire personality as his goal and maintain it throughout his life. His relentless commitment to his dreams motivates, to this day, a comparison of Jay Gatsby's The Great Gatsby to the American Dream. There is no doubt that, even through his corrupt relationships, Gatsby's greatness is justified by his unusual capacity for hope. Gatsby's greatness has often been debated, but he clearly emanates above-average qualities, and so calling him "great" is justified. Works Cited Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004.