BOOK REVIEW OF THE GREAT GATSBY

The great Gatsby is a historical romantic drama written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was written in 1925 and the book is widely considered as ‘the great American novel’. Several dramas were adapted from the book, some of which are The Great Gatsby directed by Baz Luhrmann and the main characters, Gatsby and Nick Carraway were acted by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire respectively , The Great Gatsby 1974, an American romantic drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola starring Robert Redford for the role of Jay Gatsby, alongside Mia Farrow ,San Waterston, Bruce Dern, and Karen Black and several other versions of The Great Gatsby movie. The book is about the life of Nick Carraway and his neighbor, Jay Gatsby who inspired the book. The book is set in the twenties and was published in 1925. The book’s theme is love, the destructive power of illusion, the corrupted nature of American dream and desire.

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American Novelist, essayist, and short story writer, He lived from September 24, 1986 – December 21, 1940. His writings are based on the Jazz age. During his lifetime, he published four novels, four story collections and 164 short stories. He’s currently regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Some of his notable works are Tales of the Jazz Age, The Great Gatsby, The beautiful and damned and Tender is the night.

The relevance of The Great Gatsby remains prevalent because the book touches universal themes; human follies, the hopelessness of the society and man’s struggles. When The Great Gatsby was published, it was not so popular as literary critics believed it wasn’t as good as Fitzgerald’s earlier novels. He died believing himself to be a failure. Suddenly, during the World War II, the novel experienced a surge of popularity when free copies were given to American soldiers. A new critique was launched and it became a part of American high school curricula.

The classic novel explores the theme of love, the destructive power of illusion, wealth and the corrupted nature of the American dream. Jay Gatsby, a man who possesses everything, from wealth to fame still had a relentless pursuit of Daisy, who was a wife to another man. Even though they only had a vague memory in the past, Gatsby felt attached to her which symbolizes the quest for love. Jay Gatsby, a man of humble beginnings made it a goal to achieve the envious American life by questing for wealth, power and fame by throwing extravagant parties at the Gatsby’s mansion. The destructive power of illusion showcases the characters’ pursuit of unrealistic dreams leading to tragic consequences. Jay elaborates himself as a wealthy and successful man. His extravagant parties is to create an illusion to mask his humble beginnings and criminal activities. Jay’s love for Daisy has been his motivation to make it big and when he did, he bought a mansion across Tom’s mansion’s bay and throws parties every Friday hoping one day, Daisy waltz in.

Similarly, Daisy is trapped in an illusion of wealth and love. Her husband, Tom Buchanan’s wealth clouds Daisy’s knowledge of knowing her husband doesn’t love her and she’s only attached to the stability and privilege that Tom offers. This is why she made Gatsby believe she was going to lope with him which made Gatsby throw everything away for her which led to Gatsby’s death of which Daisy didn’t attend his burial.

The movie is a perfect adaptation of the book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The movie perfectly projects the twenties, raging lifestyle, lavish costumes, perfect location, cast and it brings the book to life. The performances, particularly that of Leonardo DiCaprio perfectly describes the character of Jay Gatsby. While both works share the same plot and characters, there are notable differences that arose due to the challenges of adapting a novel into a movie. Some of these are visual representation, the movie allows the viewers to experience glitz and glamour of Gatsby’s lifestyle. In contrast, the novel relies on the power of description. Also, in the novel, Nick Carraway is the narrator and the observer but in the movie, the storytelling relies more on character interactions. Plot emphasis has been compromised as events required being rearranged for cinematic purposes. The movie and novel shares the same theme and story but appeals differently to the audience.

Nick Carraway is from a well-to-do middle-western family , the Carraways descended from the dukes of Buccleuch. He graduated from New Haven in 1915, 25 years after his father did. He decided to invest in the bond business and went to the East. He lived in West Egg in an average house amidst mansions. His neighbors were unknown , one of which is Jay Gatsby, a silent millionaire that throws parties every week. After settling in, he went to visit his cousin, Daisy who’s married to Tom Buchanan, whom he went to New Haven with. He was a popular polo player who has now retired to driving horses and women crazy. At dinner, he met Jordan Baker, a popular golf player. Jordan told Nick she’s familiar with his neighbor, Gatsby. Daisy told a joke about the butler’s nose, she told Nick he reminds her of a Rose and loves seeing him at her table. Jordan told Nick about Tom’s affair after his mistress called at the table. Daisy is happy her child, Pammy is a girl and she wants her to grow into a “beautiful fool”.
Nick befriends his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby known for lavish parties sends an invite to Nick and introduces himself. Nick discovers he knows nothing about his neighbor, other than his name. His true identity and source of wealth was deeply hidden save the hear- says from people. Nick discovers his neighbor is deeply infatuated with his cousin, Daisy and all his quest for wealth and the American lifestyle is because of her. Jay Gatsby’s entire life was about winning back Daisy’s love and recreating the past he shared with her, forever and he needed Nick to help him with it. Nick agrees toplan a meeting with Daisy, hoping Gatsby would leave it at that but it went further.
Tom suspects his wife is cheating on him with Gatsby and he accusesDaisy, and exposes Gatsby’s shady source of wealth and some lies about him. Gatsby however tells Daisy to leave Tom and be with him because he’s the only man she has ever loved, she chooses to remain with her husband and lets Gatsby take the fall for his mistake. Gatsby’s only dream was shattered and tragedy ensues.

The aftermath of Gatsby’s death was bitter, no one would have known that the burial of the millionaire that threw raging parties, had a large network of people flocking in and out every week will be a quiet affair. It was attended only by a few servants, Nick Carraway and a handful of true friends. This shapes the views of Nick , he knew Gatsby was a man that yearned for Daisy all his life and did everything for her and he never got his wish. Nick returned to the Midwest to search for a quieter life and with the understanding that the glamourous American life is not as it seems. Nick is portrayed as a man with moral values, he remains honest and straightforward throughout the book even in the midst of the elite. Nick is also not judgmental as he doesn’t expect any of the characters to share the same values as him. Nick is a reserved character that wants to bring peace to everyone around him, he helps Gatsby realize his dream by inviting Daisy and he wanted to help Daisy out of her marriage.

Gatsby is a focused man that has always craved the rich American dream and worked for it, he refused to claim his poor roots and found his way to the top, he is also a loyal man that is hell-bent on having Daisy and he has made a promise that if he kisses Daisy, he has to marry her, he takes the fall for Daisy. Jay Gatsby is portrayed as an ambitious and mysterious man. Despite throwing weekly rager, most people didn’t know what he looked like until he unveiled himself. He dedicates himself to the pursuit of the American dream and winning Daisy back.
Daisy Buchanan is a sophisticated young and beautiful woman who comes from a wealthy background. However, Daisy is portrayed as indecisive and materialistic. She enjoys the comfort and attention her husband offers her therefore, she’s intentionally blind to his affairs and the disrespect it brings to her. She’s also deceptive and she takes the advantage of the love Jay Gatsby has for her to make him believe she will elope with thereby, making Jay take the blame for her.
Tom is a wealthy and arrogant man who is privileged with the American old money. He also engaged in extramarital affairs without much regard for his wife, Daisy. He is openly unfaithful and displays a lack of respect for others, especially those from the lower league.

In conclusion, The Great Gatsby is a thrilling romantic drama that stands the test of time. This amzing piece of work by Fitzgerald captivates storytelling, elegant prose and the perfect capture of the Jazz Age, this makes the book a classic of American literature. The narrative that explores love, wealth and illusion. The Great Gatsby continues to be a reflection of human condition and continues to resonate with readers around the world.