Literary and Cultural Theory (S5) The Academic MindEra Center

Desire, Loss, and Identity: A Psychoanalytic Reading of The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is often celebrated for its incisive critique of the American Dream, but
beneath its glittering façade lies a rich psychoanalytic exploration of desire, loss, and identity. Through the
lens of psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian and Lacanian frameworks, the novel unravels the
unconscious motivations and repressed desires of its characters, revealing the psychological conflicts that
drive their behaviors and ultimately lead to their undoing. This essay examines the key psychoanalytic
dimensions of the novel, focusing on the characters of Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan, while
also addressing the symbolic significance of the green light and the implications of Lacan’s concept of objet
petit a.

Gatsby’s Idealization and the Illusion of Desire

At the heart of Jay Gatsby’s tragic pursuit lies an unattainable ideal. His obsession with Daisy Buchanan
transcends mere romantic love and evolves into an unconscious quest to reclaim a lost sense of fulfillment and
identity. Freud’s theory of repression illuminates Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy as a symbol of a past he can
neither fully confront nor recover. His insistence that he can “repeat the past” (Chapter 6) underscores his
denial of reality and his reliance on an idealized fantasy to shield himself from the pain of his origins and the
loss of his innocence.

From a Lacanian perspective, Daisy functions as Gatsby’s objet petit a, the unattainable object of desire that
embodies his unconscious longing for completeness. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock serves as a
tangible representation of this desire. Gatsby’s nightly gaze at the light, “stretching out his arms toward the
dark water” (Chapter 1), illustrates his futile attempt to bridge the chasm between the Imaginary Order—a
world of wholeness and illusion—and the Symbolic Order, which imposes separation and loss. For Gatsby,
the green light is not merely a beacon of romantic hope but a projection of his deeper yearning to escape the
fragmented identity imposed by his immersion in the Symbolic Order of language, society, and wealth.

Daisy Buchanan and the Fear of Intimacy

Daisy Buchanan, often dismissed as shallow or self-serving, emerges under psychoanalytic scrutiny as a
character burdened by fear of intimacy and entrapment within societal expectations. Her inability to choose
between Gatsby and Tom reflects her unconscious conflict between the illusory freedom Gatsby offers and
the oppressive security provided by Tom. Her famous remark, “I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing
a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (Chapter 1), reveals her cynical awareness of the limitations
placed on women within the Symbolic Order.

For Daisy, intimacy represents vulnerability and the risk of losing her fragile sense of control within a
patriarchal society. Her retreat into the comfort of Tom’s wealth and status illustrates her reliance on defenses
such as avoidance and denial, shielding herself from the anxiety and uncertainty that Gatsby’s idealization
imposes. In Lacanian terms, Daisy functions as an Other who reflects society’s ideologies and constraints,
shaping her identity and desires in ways that perpetuate her emotional detachment and self-preservation.
Tom Buchanan and the Projection of Power

Tom Buchanan exemplifies the psychoanalytic defense mechanism of projection, displacing his own
insecurities and fears onto others. His hostility toward Gatsby and his obsession with maintaining dominance
reflect his unconscious need to affirm his superiority in a rapidly changing world. Tom’s racism and classism,
epitomized by his claim that “civilization’s going to pieces” (Chapter 1), serve as projections of his internal
anxiety about losing control over his social and personal realms.

Freud’s notion of displacement is evident in Tom’s treatment of Myrtle Wilson, who becomes a stand-in for
his frustrations with Daisy and his own inadequacies. Tom’s violent behavior toward Myrtle—“making a short
deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose” (Chapter 2)—reveals the extent to which his unconscious
conflicts manifest in destructive and domineering actions. Lacan’s concept of the phallus as a symbol of
patriarchal power further explains Tom’s need to assert his dominance through displays of physical strength
and material wealth, reinforcing his fragile sense of identity within the Symbolic Order.

The Trauma of the Real and the Collapse of Illusion

The climax of the novel, marked by Gatsby’s death and Daisy’s abandonment, can be interpreted as an
encounter with what Lacan calls the Real—the unfiltered, incomprehensible dimension of existence that lies
beyond societal constructs and personal illusions. For Gatsby, the collapse of his dream signifies the shattering
of his carefully constructed world, exposing the emptiness and futility of his pursuit. His death, occurring in
the shadow of the green light, symbolizes his ultimate failure to reconcile the Imaginary and Symbolic Orders.

Nick Carraway, the narrator, also confronts the Real in his disillusionment with the East and its moral decay.
His realization that Gatsby’s dream was “already behind him” (Chapter 9) suggests an awareness of the
inevitability of loss and the impossibility of reclaiming the past. Nick’s retreat to the Midwest represents his
attempt to escape the disorienting trauma of the Real and return to a space where the Symbolic Order feels
less oppressive and alienating.

Conclusion: The Unattainable Dream

Through its richly drawn characters and symbolic imagery, The Great Gatsby serves as a powerful
psychoanalytic study of desire, identity, and loss. Gatsby’s idealization of Daisy, Daisy’s fear of intimacy,
and Tom’s projection of power all reveal the unconscious conflicts that shape their lives and relationships.
The green light, as objet petit a, encapsulates the novel’s central theme: the relentless pursuit of an unattainable
ideal that ultimately leads to disillusionment and despair.

By employing psychoanalytic criticism, readers can uncover the layers of unconscious motivations that drive
the characters in The Great Gatsby, deepening their understanding of the novel’s exploration of the human
psyche and its enduring relevance as a critique of the fractured, unfulfilled self in modern society.