Though it is commonly regarded as the classic American novel, The Great Gatsby could be seen as a fairly flawed work by some today, for a number of reasons, some among them being the familiar plot points and the, at times, heavy-handed symbolism. However, the plot could easily be vindicated, even in the eyes of a modern audience, by the simple fact that, given time and recognition, qualities of any work in the media will eventually diffuse and become nearly ubiquitous. As the “definitive” American novel, The Great Gatsby would certainly be the subject of much scrutiny, with the perceived traits of the novel being completely analyzed and going on to be used in other works. Having been printed nearly a century ago, plot points in Gatsby would be exceedingly familiar to readers, if only because they function in such an effective manner. To re-state the above in a more succinct manner, The Great Gatsby seems to have a derivative plot because it was much better for its time, thus creating imitators. Admittedly, the symbolism tended to lean towards a more blatant presentation, though the incorporation of geography into the symbolism, as well as the use of more artificial symbols, does provide more memorable symbolism, as well as creating more depth. On a similar note, the messages that the novel attempts to convey are easily still relevant to current readers, as they critique the pursuit of dreams, and how the aspirations people hold can trap them, an idea which can be kept in mind during any time, as it applies more to human nature than a specific grievance. Overall, it’s a simple task to see why many consider The Great Gatsby to be a work representative of American society, as it presents some positive aspects, as well as critical analysis of the country the writer hails from. And while some may see it as typical fare for a simple grab at awards, with all information taken into account, the true brilliance present in the writing of the book is clear. Frankly, it is a well-written book with poignancy in its text, even if its plot can seem to be somewhat lackluster at times.
I truly admire and envy your nack for using academic language and varied sentence structure. In addition to your impeccable syle, your analysis of the central message of the novel sparked my own thoughts. I agree that the story is a bit out dated but on the contrary, I think it is still a beneficial read considering our ways of life as Americans has changed so much. Although many of The "Great Gatsby's" readers today may not be able to comprehend what the characters are enduring through a personal connection, the author does a great job of showing the readers how they can learn from history; even if the book was intended to enlighten the readers of the time period the book takes place in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex's comment about your use of diction completely. I too, share a somewhat negative stance on the Novel, and find it very interesting to read what you disliked.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point: That the symbolism seems like it is just placed in there blatantly. I almost feel like Fitzgerald incorporated the symbols in this Novel very half-heartedly. I would even argue that 'The Great Gatsby' lacks depth as well, due to the horrible symbol incorporation.
You have an excellent interpretation of the text, and I "truly admire and envy" your honesty paired with complimentary diction. You show a completely developed perception of the Novel.
~Tyler