In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, water conveys the presence of reality which interferes with Gatsby's stubborn pursuit of his dream. Jay Gatsby is an elite of West Egg who has committed his life to regaining Daisy Fay, his ex-lover. His wealth, however, is constantly shadowed by the more sophisticated members of East Egg so Gatsby is constantly forced to play catch up in order to impress Daisy with his possessions. Nick, a friend and neighbor of Gatsby, notices him outside his house one evening performing an awkward ritual. ."..he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way...I glanced seaward- and saw nothing except a single green light, minute and far away..." (25-26). The body of water is a great divide that keeps Daisy out of the reach of Gatsby and represents the reality that Gatsby must endure and overcome in order to attain...