To be Great is to be Misunderstood is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that has a rather profound meaning. I agree with this statement on the basis of the example shown in Great Gatsby, a pieces of literature that I have read as well as my studies on Ancient Greek philosophers. The Great Gatsby demonstrates that those who appear to be great are usually nothing of the sort and rather misunderstood by society. People Find Gatsby, the protagonist of the novel to be great because he was living the American dream. He was what every man desired to be. He had wealth and property and held massive social gatherings. He was the embodiment of success. Everyone found him great. However Gatsby was not great, nor did people understand his true nature. Gatsby was lonely and unaccomplished because he had achieved his own goals of being with his true love and that’s what hurt him the most. He was misunderstood and considered great. However in my studies I have learned about other men who are great but misunderstood.
Greek philosophy has intrigued many over the centuries, and we tend to focus on a select amount of Greek Philosophers when studying the topic. Arguably the greatest of all Greek philosophers were Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. All were misunderstood even though they were great. People could not understand their complex thoughts and views and misunderstood them and like many others who are great were persecuted and shunned by society.
To be Great is to be Misunderstood is indeed a fine quote, for it in fact true. Not only is it great to be