BOOK REVIEWED BY: Matthew Jherome David Barawidan
STEM 11-C
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” in 1925 grasp a
pinch of history through a young boy working as a bonds salesman, with
uncertainty in his neighbour’s grand house owned by the name Gatsby.
Gatsby ponders to reconcile with his once past lover, coincidentally, from
his next-door was her cousin, Nick Carraway.
Nick Carraway, a young man who relocates to New York in search of
employment, tells the tale. After renting a home close to Gatsby's estate,
he quickly becomes enmeshed in the world of parties, affluence, and
Gatsby's desire to reunite with his true love, Daisy.
The story follows Nick as he meets Daisy and her husband, Tom
Buchanan, and befriends Gatsby.
Self-made millionaire Gatsby uses all of his fortune to win back Daisy, the
woman he loved before the war. He thinks he can relive the past and be
with her once more if he can get wealthy enough.
But despite everything Gatsby has done for her, Daisy decides to remain
with Tom, shattering Gatsby's fantasy.
George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, kills Gatsby because he thinks Gatsby
killed Myrtle, which brings Gatsby's ambitions to a terrible end.
The American Dream, the notion that everybody can succeed if they put in
enough effort is criticised in the book.
Gatsby's tale demonstrates that success and money do not equate to
happiness. Despite his wealth, Gatsby is unable to purchase Daisy's love
or bring back the past. As the cliché goes, money cannot buy happiness.
In contrast, Daisy represents that unreachable dream. Despite her wealth
and beauty, she lacks the maturity to make a life-altering choice and is
shallow.
Daisy's husband, Tom Buchanan, is a symbol of the old money elite; his
deceit and greed stand in stark contrast to Gatsby's idealistic outlook.
Fitzgerald uses a lot of symbols in his writing to give the narrative
complexity.
For instance, Gatsby's unfulfilled desire to be with Daisy is symbolised by
the green light at the end of her dock.
A billboard advertisement in the Valley of Ashes featuring Dr. T.J.
Eckleburg's eyes represents the moral decline of civilisation and the
hollowness that lies beneath the glitz and riches.
In summary, "The Great Gatsby" is a tragic tale of wealth, dreams, and
self-deception.
It illustrates the perils of pursuing an idealised life in which success and
love appear to be just out of grasp.
Through Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom, Fitzgerald depicts a society that
prioritises appearance over reality.
Because it cautions against the emptiness that can result from
materialism and pursuing impractical goals, this book is still relevant
today.
A thought-provoking book, "The Great Gatsby" illustrates the terrible price
of living in a world of delusions.
A fact you might need is that, “ The Great Gatsby” has a filmed by
Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, never
though that the iconic Spiderman and Jack Dawson in the “Titanic” would
be in one movie combined, literally must watch.
Analysis Table:
Theme or Motifs (3) Excerpts Evaluation and/or
Reflection
Old Sport "Want to go with me, Gatsby's repeated use
old sport? Just near of the phrase "old
the shore along the sport" to refer to Nick
Sound" (Fitzgerald, Carraway shows that
1925, p 64). he is trying to
establish a rapport
and come off as
sophisticated. Despite
coming from a lowly
origin, the word
implies that Gatsby is
attempting to blend in
with the upper class
by taking on a
demeanour that he
thinks would make him
appear more
sophisticated. Even
though it comes
across as a little fake,
it represents his desire
to fit in with the old-
money aristocracy and
his yearning for
approval.
Love “I love you now, isn’t Daisy’s dialogue here
that enough. I can’t perfectly expresssed
help what’s the past.” the tension between
(Fitzgerald, 1925, p. the past and the
116) present. This is where
they were fighting
over tom bunchanan,
where Daisy seems in
chaotic state what to
pick, either Gatsby,
her once lover or Tom,
his unfaithful husband
due to his affair from
George Wilson’s wife.
In the end, Gatsby sole
purpose of his life, just
to have Daisy back is
crumbled for Daisy still
loves Tom and at the
same loves Gatsby
but, he’s already too
late.
Jay Gatz "Gatsby’s name was This section illustrates
not Gatsby, it was how the story's
James Gatz, and the concept of identity and
life he created for self-image is
himself was a carefully developed. To suit his
constructed persona, a definition of success,
self-image to fit his Gatsby adopts a
dream." (Fitzgerald, completely new
1925, p. 104) identity and changes
his name. But in doing
so, he becomes
disconnected from his
true self. His fictitious
persona ultimately
brings him to ruin and
teaches us that
leading a life
predicated on
deception or illusion
may be risky and
meaningless. The
section when Gatsby's
true name was
disclosed.
