JAY GATZ was a strong, ambitious, obstinate and fearless young man who had a vision and pursued a wealthy and successful life through mysterious (and not so righteous) means.
He despised poverty, leaving his parents’ farm and joining St. Olaf’s College, where he studied and made a living as a janitor. However, he couldn’t bear the work, which he considered humiliating, so he moved to Lake Superior where he became a fisherman and happened to rescue Dan Cody from the rough seas of a stormy night. As his personal assistant, Gatz rode his yacht across the U.S. coast to the West Indies and that was when he learned to be a fine and respectful man of good manners.
After Cody’s death, Gatz reinvented himself and met DAISY, with whom he deeply fell in love. Recognizing his financial limitations, Gatsby worked his way towards building his fortune while Daisy waited for the day he would return and take her as his spouse.
This is the background of a story that gradually unfolds in a sequence of events that involve romance, affairs, betrayal and rivalries, ending in a shocking murder with unexpected consequences.
The novel is narrated by NICK CARRAWAY, Daisy’s cousin, who sees all at first hand and facilitates the secretive encounters that take place throughout the story. According to some book reviewers, Nick speaks Fitzgerald’s own mind when judging people’s characters and expressing his mixed-feelings about the lively, fast-paced and full-of-opportunities New York City that eventually turns into the moral emptiness that haunts its citizens.
Why is this such a great read?
Gatsby is self-sufficient, greedy and optimistic. But above all, he’s PASSIONATE. The parties he threw seemed to have served a unique purpose: to find Daisy.
The book depicts the 1920 Long Island of increasing illegal activity and ascending lower class. While West Egg was populated by the prominent new rich, East Egg was famous for the well-established aristocracy.
The BEAUTY OF THIS STORY lies in the fact that the author attempted to convey several valuable messages. The most important one, from my point of view, is that we can’t repeat the past. As much as we try, what’s passed is gone and there’s no such thing as living it again. The future, on the other hand, is uncertain and alterable. But changes could take a minute ~ or a lifetime.
What about the movie?
Against all criticism, I found the 2013 romantic drama film directed by Baz Luhrmann an impressive production due to its outstanding cast, screenplay, filming and soundtrack. Needless to say, Leonardo DiCaprio‘s performance as Gatsby is EXCEPTIONAL and they couldn’t have chosen a better actor to play Nick than Tobey Maguire. Not to mention Joel Edgerton, who acted magnificently alongside Carey Mulligan, the sweet and cynical Daisy.
In short, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Great Gatsby to anyone who wants a short and intriguing story.
If you’ve read or watched it, drop me a line and let me know your opinion of it. Goodbye, old sport!
1 comment
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