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Great Gatsby Truths

Decent Essays

Authors from the 1920’s are among the most exceptional and famous writers of today, one of the greatest well-known being F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald wrote multiple extraordinary novels, though he is most accredited for The Great Gatsby. In this book he discloses essential truths about life, which are more relevant in today’s society than ever before. Within the article A Gatsby for Today, Sven Birkerts provides further insight to these truths and imparts the importance of their lessons. F. Scott Fitzgerald reveals important truths about life through the characters Jay Gatsby, who displays disillusionment, and Myrtle Wilson, who demonstrates hope. Within his thoughts and feelings, Gatsby shows disillusionment as he plans and dreams of …show more content…

For years, Gatsby has designed and obsessed over this moment in his mind, creating his ideal reunion with Daisy. All he has thought about is the day they would once again meet. Daisy, of course, does not live up to these impossible expectations. As Nick Carraway states in his narration, “No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart” (96). Gatsby became disillusioned, realizing he will never have exactly what he wants, for Daisy to be completely devoted to him. Gatsby knows this deep down, and now his life has been built around a disappointment. Gatsby’s one reason for life has slipped through his fingers and all he is left with is a big empty house and meaningless money. Furthermore, Gatsby’s actions and thoughts reveal the reality of life: disappointment is inevitable. Sven Birkerts further explains the feeling of disillusionment, in his article A Gatsby for Today, when talking of “the reckless rush away from the centers of gravity, and the sudden, terrible realization that gravity writes no exceptions” (123). Often times one builds up expectations, as Gatsby did, only to realize they are …show more content…

When Myrtle and Tom are in the city with Nick, she says “I want to get one of those dogs [...] I want to get one for the apartment. They’re nice to have-a dog” (27). Myrtle has always wanted to be part of the upper class, and one day she meets Tom. They have an affair and Myrtle believes them to be in love, although Myrtle is mainly attracted to Tom’s money and extravagance. She holds onto the hope that they will leave their spouses together and get married, she wants to be a family with Tom. The act of getting a dog signifies this desire as the dog represents being a family. Myrtle truly wants to believe she and Tom will one day get married, as her sister Catherine says “When they do get married [...] they’re going out West to live for a while until it blows over” (34). Myrtle’s hope in this dream is unrealistic, and she knows deep down this will never happen, but she holds onto her hope anyway. In addition, Myrtle is overcome with her thoughts of hope. In a further explanation, Birkerts shows how hope holds “the power of our expectations and our longings” (124). Hope is an amazing emotion, but also incredibly dangerous. Dreaming unrealistically can lead to a loss of reality, one is no longer grounded in real life. Life rushes by as thoughts of hope fog the head with the deceitful promise of happiness. Myrtle reveals the strengths and weaknesses of

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