Published 10th April 1925
Ranked #2 of the 100 greatest novels of the 20th century by the Modern Library
Sorry for the obvious choice
The ultimate exploitation of the American dream and conspicuous consumption of which was entailed, Fitzgerald highlights the danger of the shallow nature which occurs around material wealth. Compatible with Aristotle’s tragic theory, the reader may feel sympathy towards all characters as there is not one who does not suffer, neither is there one who we completely admire. The irony of tragedy occurring after the Great Depression only insinuates further the way in which material cannot compete with genuine human compassion. The scene in which the eponymous character Gatsby is portrayed to throw all his shirts onto his own bed before the character of Daisy to try and achieve impressing her (a feat which he has striven to do for years) evokes a cringe-like sympathy from the reader. The way in which the character of Daisy does in fact admire this gesture only makes the reader more disgusted at the conspicuous nature which is present in almost all characters in the novel. Consequentially when the novel ends the final reaction evoked is not as cathartic as most tragedies; instead we are left with a feeling of emptiness.
One of my favourite aspects of this novel is the irony in the fact that Fitzgerald presents the reader with what was allegedly a wonderful time, America had just overcome the 'Great Depression' and people were supposed to be happy again. Perhaps critical of possession and over-indulgence, Fitzgerald may cause the reader to conclude that in the absence of material riches, human beings are no longer blind to the true core of happiness and the things that really matter. After all, it isn't a bottle of perfume or a library full of unopened books that people battle for throughout The Great Gatsby, it is each other."It is in the thirties that we want friends. In the forties we know they won't save us any more than love did. "
5/5
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