A Review of The Great Gatsby

This year marks the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby’s publication. After it was released, the author F. Scott Fitzgerald was worried because it wasn’t selling enough copies in bookstores. Now, it is the most frequently assigned book in high schools. For years, I’ve been interested in finding out what makes this book so renowned. Over spring break, I was able to see for myself. The Great Gatsby is set in the Roaring Twenties and follows Nick Carraway, a bond salesman, as he moves from the Midwest to West Egg, Long Island. Nick soon discovers that he is the neighbor of one of the richest men around, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby throws extravagant parties day and night, bringing people from all over. Secretly, Gatsby only hopes to gain the attention of Daisy Buchanan, his high school sweetheart and Nick’s cousin. The novel details Gatsby’s attempt to rekindle his past relationship with Daisy and the numerous scandals of West Egg. 

Unsurprisingly, the number of themes and symbols within The Great Gatsby makes it an English teacher's dream. To start, F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the influence of the past through Gatsby’s fixation on his old love. He also criticizes the American dream for giving materialism a higher value than relationships and connection. The “old money” and “new money” rich are made fun of for their lack of happiness despite their money. This read felt like traveling back in time, yet the themes are still remarkably relevant today. Additionally, the characters are engaging and easily draw the reader into the story. To me, each was flawed and better for it. Their dramatics turned the book from a 100-year-old classic into an episode of a new sitcom. 

I understand that sometimes classics can be daunting, but The Great Gatsby is the perfect place to start if you’re interested in that vein of books! It’s short and easy to follow, not to mention there’s a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and a musical on Broadway if you still have not gotten your fill. Ultimately, I think The Great Gatsby gets so much attention because it’s a simple, engaging book that evokes deep thoughts. While the plot may be straightforward, it’s the behaviors of the characters and their places in 1920s society that have allowed thousands of readers to dissect themes and symbols that remain relevant even today.