The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald shares the exciting stories of a group of upper classes individuals in the Roaring 20s. The book challenges our way of thinking about the "American Dream" and makes you debate whether the characters are good, bad, or somewhere inbetween. In addition, the book contains many vivid descriptions and scenes of romance, suspense, and comedy.
The part of this book I found the most interesting was the complexity of the characters, especially Jay Gatsby. Throughout the book I questioned whether Gatsby was great as the title suggests or a criminal. For context, Mr. Jay Gatsby is Nick Carraway, the narrator's neighbor. Gatsby is very wealthy and lives in a giant mansion in West Egg, he is known for his many spectacular parties but not much is known about his past. Eventually he reveals his complicated past to Nick. Nick learns that Jay Gatsby was born "James Gatz" a poor farmer. One day he saves the life of a wealthy man named Dan Cody. Cody hires Gatz and Gatz learns all about the lives of the upper class and aspires to live in a similar manner. He has one problem, he has no money. Right before leaving to fight in World War I Gatz/Gatsby falls madly in love with Daisy, a girl born into a very wealthy family. When Gatsby returns to the US he finds out Daisy has married but he is determined to win her back.
With only this knowledge I assumed Gatsby was in fact great man. He is an example of the American Dream that anyone from any background can become successful and wealthy. However, what Nick learns later makes me questions my original judgement of Gatsby. Nick learns Gatsby makes his money through a illegal business with Meyer Wolfshiem involving gambling and bootlegging. With his new money Gatsby buys a mansion across the bay from Daisy and her husbands and throws extravagant parties in hopes to meet her again.
After learning about how Gatsby earned his money my immediate response was to think that he was no longer a great man. But after thinking more about his motives I sparked a debate with myself about Gatsby's morality. Is Gatsby's shady business justified if he is doing it to win back his true love Daisy? Is it shallow or smart for him to want Daisy to see how much money he has? Is Gatsby trying to win Daisy back because he still loves her or is it just to validate his success in life. These are some of many questions I considered.
I highly recommend this book for all readers especially those who enjoy deep thinking. The author's detailed description paint lifelike imagery and you feel as if you know exactly where you are and everything about the people around you.
Although I heard of the Great Gatsby multiple times, I have never known exactly what the novel was about. Now knowing what the book features and the profound complexity woven into it, I feel like this book is pulling me in. The moral questions that you brought up about the book reminds me of an internal debate I had: does intent justify the action? I decided that intent cannot, but I think reading this book could give me a different perspective about the topic.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about The Great Gatsby, and it sounds very interesting! I enjoy reading about morally grey characters, and Gatsby sounds like a very complex character that would be interesting to read about. The Great Gatsby sounds like it would provoke many questions, and I think it would be an engaging read!
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting when a book makes you question whether or not the main character is a good person, because it's usually a given. It also sounds like the plot is very complex and interesting. This book sounds great I will definitely check it out!
ReplyDeleteI had thought about reading The Great Gatsby for the banned book project last year but never got around to it. I'll have to give it another shot.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really interesting! I have always wanted to read it but never got around to it. The plot sounds really intriguing, and I think you make a good case to the deep thinking inside of the book.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very interesting because of the fact that it lets us choose if they are good or bad. I will have to try this book out one time. I think this topic talks about what is worse, how you earn money or how you choose to spend that money, and if one is better than the other
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the other comments. Usually books disclose to you whether the main character is good or not but here it is up to your judgement. I really want to read this book to find out for myself whether or not Gatsby is a good or bad man.
ReplyDeleteThis plot seems very interesting as the plot is up in the air, and you get to decide what the character is like. I think it would be fun to read because the plot is slightly different based on how you interpret the main character.
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