I need someone to mark this essay please!

I don't know if my teacher is being biased towards me, and I was wondering if some people who knew AS english marking could mark it so I know. We had a weeks prep to write an essay about 'is Gatsby Great?'. It isn't coursework or anything, just some homework... Please mark this essay honestly, THANKS!:

Is Gatsby Great?



In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ Jay Gatsby is presented as a legendary figure, who is nevertheless flawed; thus the reader is encouraged to question whether or not the title is ironic. Gatsby has many truly great qualities, yet he has been drawn his wealth from criminal activities and his idealism of Daisy is based on a false image of her. The reader is left to decide how he measures up in terms of greatness.

Fitzgerald may be calling Gatsby ‘great’ ironically, linking him to a showman who presents an image of himself as ‘great. Like a circus performer he creates a spectacle around his own persona. His display of wealth is carefully orchestrated, from his imposing mansion:‘does my house show up nicely from here?’ to his extravagant automobile, which Tom refers to as ‘a circus wagon’. Yet, at the same time, Gatsby has embraced the American Dream and seems to have achieved it and in this sense he is truly great.

As the novel progresses it becomes apparent that Gatsby has acquired his fortune through ‘bootlegging’ alcohol. On one hand, it may seem that Gatsby’s wealth and lifestyle has been accomplished through criminal activity, which would suggest that both Gatsby and the people he associates with are of few morals and values. Thus, Gatsby cannot be great if his entire well being is a result of illegally selling alcohol. On the other hand, Gatsby was a son of farmers, which meant he wasn’t in the same class as his beloved Daisy. Through passion and love Gatsby did whatever it would take to be with Daisy, and despite breaking the law in the process, Gatsby accumulated enough wealth, meaning he could be with Daisy. Also, it arguable as to whether Gatsby supplying alcohol should be seen as bad or not. Alcohol brought pleasure to many people and it was possibly a flawed law which was shortly after stopped.

Gatsby is presented as a legendary figure because of his lavish parties, and the reputation he acquires because of them. Gatsby holds many parties on his property, which he makes free for anyone to attend. This illustrates his character in two senses. Firstly, it highlights his generosity as he allows complete strangers into his home and provides them with entertainment. He is also generous on a personal level, such as when he replaces a guest damage dress, which had been ripped at the party. Secondly, his generous and romantic character is presented through the fact that Gatsby doesn’t attend his own parties, holding them simply to entice and impress Daisy.

Many beautiful women attend Gatsby’s parties, and Gatsby could have any women he wishes, yet his only desires Daisy Buchanan. We admire Gatsby for being a faithful lover, even after his beloved Daisy marries someone else. His love for Daisy is made clear throughout the novel and is especially shown at the end as he intends to take the blame when Daisy kills Myrtle, doing what can to protect her. The fact that Gatsby is a romantic idealist shows the reader that despite his wealth he still maintains the romantic and unselfish qualities which make him great. Although Gatsby is truly in love with Daisy, perhaps he is blinded to her faults by the wealth and power she represents; ‘rich girls don’t marry poor boys Jay Gatsby’. It is made clear that Daisy’s love for Gatsby is not equal to his love for her, as she returns to her life with Tom, knowing Gatsby has taken the blame for her accident. Although Daisy did love Gatsby, she is not willing to give up wealth over love. Thus, although Gatsby chose to trust and love Daisy, perhaps it wasn’t wise of him and a flaw in his character, as he saw through Daisy, not realizing her true qualities.

Gatsby is seen to be truly great, living in a mansion, holding many parties whilst still being generous and romantic. But this is all a great show, and he is the showman, as the one thing Gatsby really wants is Daisy. Ironically he gets this wrong, for he misreads her character which means that even the greatest of people make mistakes.