In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the author uses the results of moral development to show a happy ending. Gatsby, though he doesn’t succeed in reaching his life goal, is able to escape his obsessive habits over Daisy. Nick, though he makes a small change in his dating habits, still runs away from his problems and relies on others to aid him in social situations. Therefore, although Gatsby dies by the end of the novel, he has a happier ending because he breaks his destructive cycle of obsession over Daisy, while Nick talks more about change than actually changing, thus resulting in a more sad ending without moral growth.
In the beginning of the novel until Daisy rejects him, Gatsby centers his life around Daisy due to his obsession.
Prior to moving East, Nick was rumored to be engaged; however, when the Buchanans ask about this, he says that he “wasn’t even vaguely engaged” (Fitzgerald 18). While he says that one cannot end a relationship “on account of rumors”, he also claims to have “no intention of being rumored into marriage” (Fitzgerald 18). Nick running away from his problems shows his immaturity. Similarly, after he moves, he says that he had a “short affair with a girl who lived in Jersey City... but her brother began throwing mean looks in my direction, so when she went on her vacation in July, I let it blow quietly away” (Fitzgerald 45). He continues to refuse to face problems in his relationships and instead abandons them, which further shows his childish approach to dating and relationships. Likewise, Nick has difficulty when talking to strangers and striking a conversation. This is seen at the Gatsby’s first party that Nick went to and says that he “found it necessary to attach myself to someone before I should begin to address cordial remarks to the passers-by” (Fitzgerald 34). Jordan Baker happens to be the person he choses that night; however, he has also attached himself to Gatsby and relies on him in most social situations. Therefore, Nick is immature, which is seen in his dating habits, and lacks knowledge of dealing with social