Of all the novels in the world, none can so accurately
describe the American Jazz Age as The
Great Gatsby. Not only does it illustrate the roaring twenties era through
colourful imagery and prose, but also highlights common issues, such as women’s
role in society and class distinction. The author, Fitzgerald, serves to use
Nick Carraway as the narrator to reflect the reader’s own graduation throughout
the story; from an unbiased beginning to slow maturation of opinion as they
reach the end.
Fitzgerald’s portrayal of this particular time was so apt
that he is credited for having coined the term “the Jazz Age”. The novel is set
in Long Island in West and East Egg. The story begins in retrospect with Nick
Carraway informing the readers of some advice his father gave him: “Whenever
you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this
world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” Carraway agrees that this is
reserved advice, not blatant. At first, this introduction may seem strange, but
it is only apparent when the reader has reached the end that this is almost a
warning not to judge anybody too quickly. Perhaps this advice can apply to
Gatsby who is the main underdog of the story with his obsession for Daisy
Buchanan and his underprivileged background, telling us not to rebuke him for
his illegal dealings or his fatal decisions. But more so, I believe it applies
to the Buchanans who are hypocritical, selfish and frivolous. Although they are
of “old money” and every advantage given in life, they lack morality and
humanity. The opening quote seems to remind us that we must consider their
upbringing, and why they turned out the way they did before we start criticizing.
Many differences between Gatsby and the Buchanans are drawn
up in the novel, specifically class and moral distinctions. Gatsby and the
Buchanans are the opposite of each other. The most obvious contrast is in the
physical setting of the novel. East and West Egg sit next to each other, with
West Egg - where Carraway and Gatsby are situated - being “the less fashionable
of the two” and a symbol for the nouveau riche that want to rise to the higher
class. Gatsby is the example here with his magnificent mansion that is too
magnificent to be classy. East Egg, however, where the Buchanans reside, is
filled with those of old money, elegance and good taste. Through this, the
author makes the reader aware that no matter how hard the newly rich try, they
will never catch up with the originally rich.
Another example of contrast is in schooling. Tom Buchanan
and Nick Carraway both graduated from Yale, a prominent American school of
history and associated with wealth. Gatsby, in a bid to raise his social
status, claims to have graduated from Oxford, although this does not seem to be
the case.
However, although the Buchanans are vastly superior in
wealth and class, they lack Gatsby’s humanity and sentiment. Gatsby is willing
to work his way from poverty into wealth, even through illegal means, in order
to win back Daisy, the one he has loved for many years. Tom, however, cheats on
his wife with Myrtle Wilson, yet possesses the hypocrisy to be offended when Gatsby
declares his love for Daisy. In the end, Gatsby’s passion for Daisy persuades
him to take the fall for her crime, while her own indifference and selfishness
allows him to commit this selfless act. The Buchanans are so unsympathetic
towards Gatsby’s murder, not considering that they were really the cause of it
that they move away from East Egg, thus distancing them from the situation.
The role of Daisy in the novel is of a frivolous, self-centered
and unthinking woman. She hides her immaturity under a veil of innocence, which
is eventually revealed to the readers as Nick Carraway expresses his disgust of
their reckless lifestyle and wishes “nothing more to do with them”. She and
another woman, Myrtle Wilson, are the main catalysts for the tragedy in the novel
- they are described as faithless creatures that care only for their own
well-being. The only exception to this stereotype is Daisy’s friend, Jordan
Baker, who is cool and aloof. However, in the end, she expresses slight
desperation when attempting to convince Carraway that she “[doesn’t] give a
damn about [him] now” and only acted in love at the time because it was a “new
experience” for her.
Fitzgerald regularly touches on the theme of decay. He depicts
the Jazz Age as a rotting era, especially illustrated with the decadent parties
thrown by Gatsby where guests “don’t leave until early in the morning” and “people
were not invited - they went there”. Gatsby’s mindless search of prestige and
the Buchanans’ apathy only show the corrupt lifestyle and the greed of the
people at the time from the economic boom in America from World War One.
The narrator, Nick Carraway, is one of the few characters
who do not succumb to this particular lifestyle. Because of this, he is able to
give a reliable retelling to the reader about events and his reactions to
situations mirror, or sometimes cue, the reader’s own reactions. His
misunderstandings are our misunderstandings and when Fitzgerald writes of
Carraway’s outrage concerning Gatsby’s death, it is our outrage too. In the
end, his wish for dissonance from that high lifestyle is our own conclusion as
we have witnessed all the debauched acts committed in the span of the novel.
I admire Fitzgerald for his characterization, his ability to
manifest real beings. Reading this book I understood so much more about the
Jazz Age, their lavish and empty lifestyle. The use of setting and
characterization was used perfectly to outline themes of gender roles, societal
hierarchy and decay. There is no wonder that The Great Gatsby is considered the epitome of the roaring twenties.
Last year when I found out there was going to be a film adaption by Baz Luhrmann, I was excited but unsure. I loved Moulin Rouge, high-powered and energetic as it was. However, I didn't know how well that same filming style would translate over to Gatsby. I must admit, I didn't like the movie as much as I hoped I would. In terms of film adaptions, I would definitely say Ang Lee did it better with Life of Pi. Luhrmann's use of modern music didn't really correspond to how I imagined the 20's would be portrayed. That being said, I still enjoyed the experience and I think the director did manage to show some of the decaying luxury from the novel. Some of Carraway's monologues were also done quite well. I won't say too much because I may do a full-length review of the film as part of my novel-adaption reviews.
- Calista
"they looked back at me, remotely, possessed by intense life." - The Great Gatsby
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