The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
13: chapter 8

Multiple times in the book Nick says that Gatsby had held on to his dream of being with Daisy for too long. I happen to agree with him. By keeping his dream for so long, Gatsby relied too much on it to be the driving force behind his ambition. Consequentially, when he realized that he wouldn't ever achieve his dream, his life fell apart. "There was an inexplicable amount of dust everywhere, and the rooms were musty, as though they hadn't been aired for many days." (Fitzgerald 148) The neglect of his home symbolizes the mess that Gatsby's life has become. Before he had a dream and a goal that drove his life. Now, he has nothing to keep his life on track and to get him through hard times. Daisy was the reason he worked for money and success. Impressing her and getting her to leave Tom was the reason Gatsby bought his house, held huge parties, and amassed all of his wealth. Now all of that was for nothing. Daisy did not leave Tom and no longer wants Gatsby.