Puritanism Traits in The Great Gatsby

          In class, we have mainly studied Puritanism out of the other -isms that we were told about. I looked for some of these traits in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although this book wasn't written during the Puritanism period, I did come across a couple of traits of Puritanism. I'm aware we did an assignment similar to this when we had a substitute in class, but time prevented me from achieving this with quality. 

          On the first page of the book, it reads,"...reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures." Puritans believed that there shouldn't be any social pleasures. By speaking of someone's flaws, you are creating a barrier of vanity around yourself and allowing others to frivolously laugh at what someone couldn't prevent from happening. Their appearance was predetermined by God. Also, as you fill yourself with vanity, you will no longer remain pure. Nick, the main character, is doing well by reserving all judgments. The area where he faults Puritanical traits is by telling the readers that curious natures have been opened up. This is telling the readers that he is showing interest in something other than God, but he needs to keep up a neutral persona.

          On the ninety eighth page, Gatsby realizes he is the son of God. It most likely is because he didn't want to accept his parents as his parents, but he did come to the realization that he is the son of God. The Puritans believe their purpose in life was to glorify God. They also believe that God created them to be brought down for His glorification. They were concerned with doing God's will. Although Gatsby says he is the son of God for selfish purposes, he is correct.