Prior to its cinema release here in the UK this Thursday, I've decided to review F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby', as not only is it a classic, but it's also one of my favourite novels and I am excited (and apprehensive) to see the film adaptation.
Set in 1920s America, when the Jazz Age was at its peak, we are introduced to Nick Carraway, a young, ambitious financier who moves to New York to learn more about the bond business. Nick resides in West Egg, a wealthy area, one that is populated by those with "new money". Nick's next door neighbour, a mysterious man we only know by name, Jay Gatsby, lives in a large mansion and holds lavish and extravagant parties, though Nick has never been invited. All those who have exchange rumours about who Gatsby is and what he has done, these rumours fuel Nick's curiosity with him.
Nick, a well educated man who graduated from Yale has social connections in East Egg, a well established area for the upper class, mainly populated by those with "old money". Nick drives to East Egg to meet Daisy Buchanan, his cousin, and her husband, Tom, a classmate of Nick's his time at Yale. Daisy and Tom introduce Nick to Jordan Baker, a beautiful, yet cynical young woman, who has been known to lie. Despite this, Nick and Jordan begin to engage in a romantic relationship. Jordan reveals that Tom has a mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the Valley of Ashes. This area is a run-down industrial dumping area between West Egg and New York City. One evening, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle, where a party is being held in the apartment Tom keeps for the affair. During the party, Myrtle begins to talk about Daisy, taunting Tom about her. Tom snaps and responds by breaking her nose.
As the novel progresses, Nick receives an invitation to one of Gatsby's parties. He runs into Jordan, together they meet Gatsby, a young man with an English accent, an astonishing smile that you only encounter four, maybe fives times in life, and refers to everyone by "old sport". Gatsby asks to speak to Jordan alone, and through her, Nick learns more about this mysterious man. It is revealed that Gatsby knew Daisy from Louisville, back in 1917, and he is very much in love with her. He spends many evenings staring at the green light and the end of her dock, across the bay from his mansion. Gatsby's lifestyle and outrageous parties were all in a bid to impress Daisy, to show her he had wealth and status. Gatsby has a job for Nick, to arrange a meeting between himself and Daisy, and so, Nick invites Daisy to tea at his house, without telling her that Gatsby will be there. Gatsby and Daisy overcome their initial awkward beginning, rekindling their love and beginning and affair.
After a while, Tom begins to grow suspicious of Daisy's relationship with Gatsby. One day, at a luncheon, Tom catches Gatsby staring at Daisy with such passion, that he realises they are in love with each other. Tom is appalled to think Daisy has been unfaithful to him, even though he himself has a mistress. He wants to the group to drive to New York City, Tom drives with Jordan and Nick and Daisy rides with Gatsby. While there, Tom confronts Gatsby in a suite in the Plaza Hotel, explaining that he and Daisy have a long history that Gatsby couldn't begin to understand. He then reveals that Gatsby is a criminal, all of his wealth comes from bootlegging alcohol. Upon this revelation, Daisy realises her allegiance is with Tom, and he sends her back to East Egg with Gatsby, trying to prove that Gatsby cannot win, that he has the advantage.
While on the drive back, Nick, Jordan and Tom pass through the Valley of Ashes, yet, they discover that Gatsby's car has hit Myrtle, and killed her. They all rush back to Long Island, where Gatsby tells Nick that it was Daisy who was driving the car that killed Myrtle, but Gatsby wishes to take the blame. The next day, Tom tells Myrtle's husband, George, that it was Gatsby who was driving the car. George concludes that Gatsby must have been Myrtle's lover, and heads to Gatsby's mansion. Here, he finds Gatsby in the pool, shoots him dead, then shoots himself.
Nick holds a small funeral for Gatsby, ends his relationship with Jordan and moves back to the Midwest in an attempt to escape the repugnance he feels for those that surrounded Gatsby. He reflects on the moral decay of the East Coast, and how Gatsby's dream of obtaining Daisy was corrupted through money and dishonesty. Nick believes that although Gatsby's ability to transform his dream into reality is what makes him "great", Gatsby's dream, and ultimately the American dream are over.
Through the novel, we are introduced to the uncomfortable truths about the relationship between truth and illusion, past and present. Fitzgerald presents Gatsby as a sympathetic character and a romantic figure who will do anything for the one he loves, even corrupt his own morals and sense of self. Fitzgerald also gives us an insight to some of America's most central ideas and yearnings. The dream of a new life, the preoccupation with class and the hunger for wealth.
I personally love the novel, but I know people who absolutely hated it. Regardless, Fitzgerald's writing is impeccable and I believe it is this reason why 'The Great Gatsby' is certainly a Great American Novel.
Reviewed by Brogan Wilson
