What I didn't realize, is that the novel is a cautionary tale, not just a celebration of The Jazz Age.
The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, had spent time with the wealthy of 1920s New York City. What he witnessed became the basis for his novel, and it is not a glowing endorsement.
Like his first novel, This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby was about love and greed, including the love of greed, and someone who was greedy for a love lost.
Both novels made the author one of the great observers of the culture of wealth, extravagance and ambition that was born during the Roaring 20s, the last time income inequality was as great as it would be again 100 years later (humanity = slow learners).
Rather than celebrate the riches, Fitzgerald warned his readers of the dangers of consumerism and materialism. He saw how The American Dream rapidly morphs into The American Nightmare.
One film critic said of the film version I watched:
"For all the gimmicks, flamboyant celebrations, and intrusive flourishes, it is loud and boisterous, but ultimately empty.
Gazing at the spectacle, you can't help but think it will eventually all add up to something, but it never does."
That seems accurate for the most part in my experience. However, it describes more than the film. It also describes the world depicted in the film.
The job of desiring more stuff never ends, and is ultimately empty.
You hope all that stuff will eventually add up to something, but it never does.
The Great Gatsby highlights how a person can have every material possession, and still be unhappy.
Ultimately it shows us that time and love are the most precious commodities in this life, and no amount of money will buy either one.
On a separate note, The Great Gatsby will go into the public domain as its copyright ends on January 1, 2021.
I read the book in high school and saw both movie versions. The book is by far superior to both.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading it.
DeleteInteresting post, Gregg. I read the book in high school (so a very long time ago), but have never seen a movie version of it; may have to track one down. But more I believe it is time to re-read the book. Especially now with all the high pressure sales pitches everywhere to buy buy buy... Thanks for the inspiration! - Mary
ReplyDeleteIt is a good time to read it as income inequality has recently hit the highs (or lows) reached in the Roaring 20s when the top 1% or earners received 20% of total income.
DeleteSince then, however, high pressure sales tactics have gone high tech, and are more insidious than ever.
I read this book three times, each time that I studied it over a long academic career. I saw the movie once. As usualy, lots was left out of the movie. He was not an authentic person, he made himself into what he admired in others in order to get what he wanted.
ReplyDelete
DeleteAnd then in the end he didn't get what he wanted. A tragic tale being re-lived all over the world. It was a warning - "don't do this", but we never listen.
Indeed one of the great cautionary tales of the modern age. One which, even as a teenager, led me to the core of my system of beliefs: Enough is a feast.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. With so many of our brothers and sisters not having access to "enough", just getting enough is an amazing thing. Those of us that have "enough" don't realize how fortunate we are.
DeleteAnd if you have "more than enough", what is all the extra stuff for?
Millionaires? Why? Billionaires? Why?
Trillionaires? Total ignorance at work.
Every day I am grateful that Linda and I have enough. We have other issues to deal with, me and her, but getting enough to eat is NOT one of them. We have shelter, clothes, and support from our neighbours.
What more does one need?
"Enough is a feast."
So true. Thank you, Mela.