The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

📚 Author and Work Overview

Hi there! Today, i would like to make known about The Great Gatsby, which was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925. Known as one of the most famous novels of the Modernist period, it represents the spirit of the Jazz Age in USA. In this work, Fitzgerald expressed about wealth, social class, love, and ambition. This novel criticizes the idea that money and status can bring "true happiness."

🧐 Summary of the Work

Set in the 1920s during that period in U.S. history known as "the Jazz Age," it narrates the story of Nick Carraway, who is a young man who moves to New York and meets Jay Gatsby, his mysterious neighbor; staying fascinated by him. Gatsby is eccentric and is always organizing extravagant parties in order to attract Daisy Buchanan, the woman he fell in love an who is married to Tom Buchanan, a rich and arrogant man. 

During the plot's developing, Nick finds out that Gatsby made his fortune through illegal activities, carried by his desire to obtain Daisy’s love. In the end, Gatsby is betrayed, and his dream becomes a nightmare, leading to his tragic death.

✍️ Personal and Critical Analysis

I think that The Great Gatsby is a strong criticism of the American Dream. Gatsby had the belief that money would help him to recreate the past and reach happiness. But this dream was based only on illusions and obsession. It's interesting how Fitzgerald expressed symbolism, especially the green light, which represents hope and unreachable dreams. The author also expressed how wealthy people can be careless and irresponsible, having as consequence the suffering of others.

This novel also reflects that superficiality of society focused only on appearances. Many characters on it reflect this, with lack of empathy and moral values, making their relationships empty and fragile. This book will invite readers to question: Which is the real meaning of success in the life?

🌍 Connection to the Present

In 2013, the story was adapted into a film starring by Leonardo DiCaprio. Even when it was faithful to the novel, it was reinterpreted to be in accordance to modern times, visually extravagant lens, which sometimes conflicts with Fitzgerald’s critique of excess. 

The themes of The Great Gatsby are still relevant today. In current times, there are many people trying to show a perfect life via social media, luxury brand, influencer's culture and online popularity. As Gatsby did, people create false images to gain admiration and acceptance, creating its own "perfect world".

The novel also connects with current discussions about inequality, consumerism, and emotional emptiness in materialistic societies.

🎬 Multimedia Resource

Here is an overview about the develope of the story, as well as the cover of it.



📖 Sources

Fitzgerald, F. S. (1991). The Great Gatsby (1925). na.

Will, B. (2005). " The Great Gatsby" and the Obscene Word. College Literature, 125-144. "The Great Gatsby" and the Obscene Word on JSTOR

✅ Reflection

This story tell us that even when you got wealth and status, it won't be guarantee you happiness. Gatsby’s tragic story shows that true success comes from honesty, meaningful relationships, and self acceptance, and not from appearances, which will eventually show their true faces.

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