The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the story of a world lost due to superficiality and greed. Falsehood and deception are the currency that fuels the characters of the novel. Inhabiting this fallen world, Fitzgerald has placed a fallen god. Gatsby is immersed in descriptions that identify him as the Son of God. Fitzgerald makes a conscious effort to clothe this character with images and actions to make him the protective deity of this fallen world, but Gatsby is too wrapped up in his surroundings to save him and it wears itself out in the attempt. Despite biblical allusions, strong imagery, and explicit statements identifying Gatsby with Christ, the novel's prevailing tone prevents him from being a Christ figure. A strong pattern of biblical allusions establishes an image of Gatsby as Jesus. The very first description of Gatsby evokes biblical imagery. Gatsby is described as having “a heightened sensitivity to the promises of life” and “an extraordinary gift of hope” (6). Jesus "came that they might have life and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10). Paul, in the first letter to the Corinthians, identifies hope as the second of the three theological virtues (13,13). Furthermore, Nick describes Gatsby's handwriting as "majestic," suggesting the kingship of Christ (46). Gatsby's kingdom, like that of Jesus, "is not of this world" (John 18:36). When Gatsby is in his backyard, gazing at the stars, Nick describes him as claiming a section of “the sky” (25). Gatsby's parties even recall biblical themes. Nick notes that "people weren't invited; they went there" (45). This is reminiscent of the parable of the wedding banquet, in which, lacking guests, the king sends his soldiers into the streets to collect... middle of paper... Marius. "Scott Fitzgerald's Critique of America." Modern Critical Interpretations: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 11-27. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. England: Penguin, 1990. Hack, Robert and Libby Stockstill. “Color in The Great Gatsby.” http://www.nmusd.k12.ca.us/cdmhs/gatsbycenter/roberthack&libbystockstill. November 29, 2001.O'Brien, Meghan et al. “Color Images in The Great Gatsby.” http://www.nmusd.k12.ca.us/cdmhs/gatsbycenter/meghanobrien/gg.html. November 29, 2001. Tanner, Tony. "Introduction." The Great Gatsby. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald. England: Penguin, 1990. vii-lvi.Way, Brian. "The Great Gatsby." Modern Critical Interpretations: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 87-108.