One prominent theme in Fitzgerald's stories and novels is the ability for characters to make themselves over. After Fitzgerald wrote a letter to his sister about becoming popular, Fitzgerald revisited this theme in nearly all of his stories. Perhaps this was reflective of his own efforts as a teenager, to join the ranks of the elite through the art of manners, or a recognition in his numerous relationships with women of the importance of money in winning their hearts. Indeed, it was only after his first novel received widespread recognition that his wife, Zelda, agreed to marry him.
Fitzgerald's novel is essentially a biography of the character Jay Gatsby. Each chapter unravels the mystery around the character. Gatsby is at first an elusive figure - a curiosity to his neighbors. The party scene in the novel, artfully captures the gossip surrounding him - his participation in the war, even the possibility of his "killing a man." As his guests unintentionally but correctly surmise, beneath the glitz and glamor of Gatsby's party lies a dark past. Later, the source of Gatsby's wealth is revealed to be from illicit trading and connections; we learn his name is changed from Gatz, and his father as we discover in the final chapter, is a foil for the debonair and complex Gatsby. Jay Gatsby is not only a self-made man, but his greatest accomplishment is his ability to reinvent himself through two crucial elements of high society: manners and money. As Nick tells us, Gatsby writes in a majestic hand. His house is beautifully manicured. His speech has no trace of his father's earnest and folksy mannerisms. Gatsby's dream of riches requires him to dispense of his past - his father provides evidence of his determination to reinvent himself:
Rise from bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.00 A.M. Dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling . . . . . . 6.15-6.30 ” Study electricity, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.15-8.15 ” Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.30-4.30 P.M. Baseball and sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.30-5.00 ” Practice elocution, poise and how to attain it 5.00-6.00 ” Study needed inventions . . . . . . . . . . . 7.00-9.00 ”
This past semester, we read Charles Chestnutt's story "The Wife of His Youth," a story which also explores and challenges the past identity of man, Mr. Ryder. Mr. Ryder is the president of a society that maintains "correct social standards" and comprised of black men and women who are educated and accomplished. When he is about to announce his engagement at the society ball, the wife of his past - a plantation cook - appears looking for him. Mr. Ryder then decides to announce the woman and in his introduction or her, quotes Shakespeare's famous line, "To thine own self be true."
But whereas the Chestnutt story is ironic and triumphant, The Great Gatsby is tragic. Sadly, Gatsby's reinvention of his persona could only be realized through the acceptance of a society characterized by hedonism, materialism, and the lack of genuine relationships. There are perhaps Marxist overtones in Fitzgerald's portrayal and critical look at Gatsby. For more on this, see my Marxist reading of The Great Gatsby.
Rise from bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.00 A.M. Dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling . . . . . . 6.15-6.30 ” Study electricity, etc . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.15-8.15 ” Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.30-4.30 P.M. Baseball and sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.30-5.00 ” Practice elocution, poise and how to attain it 5.00-6.00 ” Study needed inventions . . . . . . . . . . . 7.00-9.00 ”
This past semester, we read Charles Chestnutt's story "The Wife of His Youth," a story which also explores and challenges the past identity of man, Mr. Ryder. Mr. Ryder is the president of a society that maintains "correct social standards" and comprised of black men and women who are educated and accomplished. When he is about to announce his engagement at the society ball, the wife of his past - a plantation cook - appears looking for him. Mr. Ryder then decides to announce the woman and in his introduction or her, quotes Shakespeare's famous line, "To thine own self be true."
But whereas the Chestnutt story is ironic and triumphant, The Great Gatsby is tragic. Sadly, Gatsby's reinvention of his persona could only be realized through the acceptance of a society characterized by hedonism, materialism, and the lack of genuine relationships. There are perhaps Marxist overtones in Fitzgerald's portrayal and critical look at Gatsby. For more on this, see my Marxist reading of The Great Gatsby.
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