I Want the One I Can't Have

We often live as slaves to our desires. Our lives are decided by what we want most and consist of attempts to fulfill those desires. Unfortunately this thirst often leaves us with endless dissatisfaction; our Id must always be balanced by our Ego and Superego; we must always sacrifice and compromise smaller desires to achieve our strongest ones. A lot of risk goes into living for what you want, and many times it is not worth the trouble. As Hazlitt writes, “to be in want of it, is to pass through life with little credit or pleasure.” The lucky ones may reach their final dream; their wishes may come true – but the countless others waste their lives away staring at the green light across the water.

As our great Gatsby fell, unable to hold onto what he desired most, so Hazlitt claims his character will suffer. By using the passive voice, Hazlitt emphasizes our passivity in satisfying our desires and also separates us from our unattainable dream. While Hazlitt writes about money, all wants have the same effect. Another famous use of the passive voice is seen in The Catcher in the Rye, one of my favorite books. The teenage boy, Holden, that narrates this novel is also no stranger to desire. He strives to preserve innocence and to be listened to. While the latter he eventually achieves after telling his story, at times it seemed as impossible as the former. The bad company and depressing situations he finds himself in all stem from his dissatisfaction and desires. He was not on the search for money, as Gatsby simply wanted Daisy’s love, yet no matter how noble the want, it ultimately breeds unhappiness.