The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

"This exemplary novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story is of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his new love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession," it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.

The Great Gatsby is one of the great classics of twentieth-century literature."

Touted as THE American classic, I think it certainly paints a wonderful picture 1920's America. 

The thing I like most about The Great Gatsby is the absolutely stunning writing and language, the subtleties and the suggestions, the things that are not directly said but are said nevertheless. It’s a true feat of writing and at times it reminded me of a stage piece. The dialogue does not give the answers, but it is the character’s actions and movements (so fantastically narrated) that give the game away: it reveals their internal worlds.

As such this is a book that can easily be skimmed over. The plot is basic and relatively unengaging and consequently I think an inattentive reader has a lot to miss here. It’s all about illusions and false appearances just like real life. The way people perceive us is not how we truly are and sometimes individuals actively work towards creating a desired appearance for the outside world. It’s easily done with enough time, effort and money. What Gatsby creates for the outside is a dream, an ideal life that looks perfect.

However, scratch the surface and it is so very, very clear that not everything is perfect. His supposed “happiness” is hollow and dictated by the whims of society. It is fickle, egotistical and driven by status and all the silly little symbols that go with it. He shows all the signs of the of a severe lack of self confidence. His success is what society demands success to be; thus, no success at all. And even that hollow success is ripped from him in the end. Money doesn't conquer all, it merely increase the spectacle you can fail with. 

Personally Gatsby is awful. I am not against people having ambition but abandoning your parents because they aren't in the social class you want to be in is horrible! He manipulates Nick into doing what he wants and I wouldn't be surprised if he already knew Nick's connection to Daisy when he meets him. Gatsby cannot see what is right in front of him, that he has already made it, he is so wealthy and successful. But because he is always reaching for more he cuts people off. He has no friends or close relationships, no one knows him. His love for Daisy isn't real love, he loves what she represents, the money and power. She is a badge that he has made it and is finally a part of the upper echelons of society. 

Daisy is so weak and pathetic. I do kind of sympathise with her though. Life had a plan for her and she must obey. Marry from the same social strata and party your entire life. She is so bored and disillusioned. As she says with so much money there is nothing to strive for. At such a young age she has already done everything, what is she to fill her life with? Though she really, really should have come to the funeral, but did she actually know he had died?

Through Gatsby’s veneration of Daisy, we not only imagine what so many Americans and people in general, desire (success), but also we see the goal and glittering fixation of all humanity: beauty. And like many Americans in the throes of Capitalism, Gatsby believes that money can buy beauty as well as love. Fitzgerald articulates this disillusionment with haunting force, particularly voiced through Nick’s obsessive repulsion with the extravagant society his social status has allowed him. 

Age Rating 14+. A few adult themes. Domestic abuse, murder and fabulously over the top hedonism.