The Great Gatsby

 This blog post is part of thinking Activity assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad sir, as dwell into F. Scott Fitzgerald's one of the Classical novel "The great Gatsby". For more information you can check by clicking here .

Introduction 

The Great Gatsby (1925) by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel set in the Roaring Twenties. It follows Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man chasing his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, through lavish parties and illusions of success. Narrated by Nick Carraway, the novel critiques the American Dream, materialism, and moral decay, revealing the emptiness behind wealth and glamour.

Q.1 Read the article on the Book cover art and its connection to the novel's themes - and write your understanding of the symbolic significance of the book cover.

My Understanding of the Symbolic Significance of The Great Gatsby Book Cover

The book cover of The Great Gatsby, designed by Francis Cugat, is not just an artistic choice; it holds deep symbolic meaning that reflects the themes of the novel. The most striking element is the pair of disembodied eyes floating over a dark blue background. These eyes, which resemble the famous billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in the novel, symbolize an omnipresent gaze perhaps that of society, morality, or even fate itself. They watch over the world of Gatsby, judging the excesses, illusions, and moral decay beneath the glamorous surface.

The dark blue background conveys a sense of mystery, melancholy, and longing. This color mirrors the emotions of Gatsby, whose life is defined by an unattainable dream and a deep sense of loneliness despite his wealth and status. The cover’s atmosphere suggests that behind the dazzling parties and material success, there is a haunting emptiness, much like what Gatsby experiences.

The green light, though not directly prominent on the cover, is an essential part of the novel’s symbolism. It represents Gatsby’s ultimate dream his love for Daisy and his idealized vision of the past. The light remains distant and unreachable, much like the American Dream that Gatsby chases but can never truly attain.

The city lights in the background symbolize the allure of wealth and materialism, drawing people in with promises of success. However, just like Gatsby’s experience, these bright lights ultimately fail to bring true happiness. The contrast between the glowing city and the haunting eyes above suggests a critique of the American Dream highlighting its illusions and the emotional cost of relentless ambition.

In essence, the cover of The Great Gatsby visually encapsulates the novel’s central themes: the illusion of the American Dream, the loneliness hidden behind wealth, and the inescapable gaze of judgment. It sets the tone for the story, reminding readers that behind the glamour, there is a deeper tragedy unfolding.

Q.2 Write about 'Understanding Jay Gatsby's character' [Watch two short videos for the ideas i.e. (i) Understanding J. Gatsby and (ii) Psychoanalytical Study - Shame (guilt) and Grief.

First Video 

Jay Gatsby is a man who is obsessed with a dream his dream of being with Daisy Buchanan and recreating the perfect past they shared. The video explains that Gatsby's wealth, big parties, and mysterious life are all part of his plan to win back Daisy and make his dream come true.

Gatsby believes in the American Dream, thinking that if he has money and status, he can fix the past and get Daisy back. However, the video shows that this dream is impossible. Despite all his effort, Gatsby can't make his dream a reality because Daisy isn’t the perfect person he imagines. His blind optimism and hope make him an admirable character, but they also cause him to miss the truth. In the end, Gatsby dies alone and unfulfilled, showing how his dream was flawed.

 Second Video

This video focuses on the emotional and psychological side of Gatsby how shame, guilt, and grief shape who he is. Gatsby isn’t just rich; he's a man who feels deeply ashamed of his poor background. To hide this shame, he reinvents himself as Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man. But no matter how much money he has, he never truly fits in with the rich people around him.

The video also talks about how Gatsby feels guilty, especially about his love for Daisy. He even takes the blame for Myrtle’s death, even though he wasn’t responsible. This shows his self-sacrifice and his desire to keep his dream alive, even at the cost of his own well-being. In the end, his guilt and inability to move on from his past lead to his tragic death.

Q.3 How faithful is Luhrmann's film adaption to the original novel?

Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby takes significant creative liberties while maintaining the core themes of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Here’s a breakdown of how faithful the film is to the original:

Faithfulness to the Plot

The film largely follows the plot of the novel. It centers on Nick Carraway’s recounting of his experiences with Jay Gatsby, his infatuation with Daisy Buchanan, and the tragic outcome of Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream. Key events, like Gatsby's parties, the confrontation between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, and the tragic ending, are faithfully represented.

However, Luhrmann condenses and streamlines some events for cinematic pacing. For example, the book’s more detailed narrative structure is altered slightly to focus more on visual storytelling, using modern techniques that might not be present in the novel.

Character Adaptations

Jay Gatsby: Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of Gatsby is quite faithful to the novel’s character, capturing his charm, mystery, and tragic obsession with Daisy. While the film portrays Gatsby's dream in more glamorous and heightened visuals, it still reflects his deep yearning for the past and his disillusionment

Nick Carraway: Tobey Maguire's Nick is adapted with a slight modern twist, as he serves as both the narrator and participant in the story. His character is more directly involved in the story’s events in the film than in the novel, where he is more of an observer.

Daisy Buchanan: Carey Mulligan’s Daisy remains a central character in the film, embodying the novel's portrayal of Daisy as beautiful, shallow, and indecisive. Her charm and elusiveness come through, though the film emphasizes her emotional conflict more than the novel’s portrayal.

Tom Buchanan: The film stays true to Tom’s arrogance and sense of entitlement, played by Joel Edgerton. However, the portrayal may feel more intense and exaggerated to fit the cinematic style.

Visual and Stylistic Adaptation

One of the most significant differences is Luhrmann's visual style. The film is known for its vibrant, extravagant visuals, which enhance the glamour and excess of the 1920s. The novel conveys the grandeur of Gatsby’s world through Nick's observations, but the film intensifies it with modern music, opulent sets, and flashy costumes. This modernized aesthetic (especially the use of contemporary music by artists like Jay-Z and Lana Del Rey) contrasts with the historical setting of the 1920s, which isn’t explicitly present in the novel.

Symbolism

The film maintains many of the novel’s important symbols, like Gatsby's green light, which represents his unattainable dream, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, symbolizing the moral decay and judgment that surround the characters. However, some symbols are emphasized more visually in the film than in the novel.

Modernization

Luhrmann brings a modern twist to the story, particularly with the use of contemporary music, which helps convey the emotional tone of the film but shifts the time period's feel. For instance, the soundtrack is filled with hip-hop and modern pop music, which may have helped make the film more accessible to a younger audience, but it does create a disconnect from the 1920s setting.

Narrative Structure

The film makes changes to the narrative structure, particularly in how it frames the story. For example, in the novel, Nick narrates his experience as a more passive observer, while in the film, his role is more active and intertwined with Gatsby’s actions. Nick also narrates his story from a sanitarium, which serves as a framing device not found in the novel.

Q.4 Write a brief note on the symbolic significance of 'Green Light' and 'Billboard of The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelberg'

Green Light: Symbolic Significance

In The Great Gatsby, the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock is one of the most powerful symbols of the novel. For Gatsby, it represents his unattainable dreams and his idealized vision of the future with Daisy. The green light is always visible but forever out of reach, symbolizing how Gatsby’s longing for perfection and the American Dream can never truly be fulfilled. It embodies his hope for a future that never materializes, reflecting the larger theme of the novel: the illusion of the American Dream. The light’s distance mirrors Gatsby’s inability to reconcile the reality of his life with his fantasies, underscoring the tragic nature of his quest.

As the novel progresses, the green light transforms into a symbol of disillusionment. What once represented hope becomes a marker of the futility of Gatsby’s desires. His obsession with the light reflects his desperate attempt to recreate the past with Daisy, and his failure to achieve this goal ultimately leads to his downfall. The green light thus highlights the impossibility of fulfilling dreams that are built on illusions, and serves as a critique of the belief that one can achieve perfection or reshape history.

Billboard of the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: Symbolic Significance

The billboard of the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, located in the desolate valley of ashes, is a stark symbol of the moral and spiritual decay that permeates the novel. The eyes, once part of an advertisement for an oculist, now seem to watch over the characters’ lives as silent witnesses to their actions. They symbolize the omnipresent gaze of judgment that looms over the characters, particularly as they indulge in excess and corruption. The eyes stand as a reminder that even when individuals are blind to their own moral failings, there is an external, unblinking force that observes their choices.

The billboard eyes are often interpreted as representing God’s eyes, offering a silent but constant moral reckoning in a society that is largely indifferent to ethics. The eyes are particularly significant in the way they contrast with the characters’ behavior. While the characters, especially Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, act with a sense of entitlement and moral disregard, the eyes silently bear witness to their actions, suggesting that there is an inevitable judgment for their indulgence. The symbol thus emphasizes the moral consequences of a materialistic society and serves as a reminder of the spiritual emptiness at the heart of the characters' pursuits.

Q.5 Write a brief note on the theme of 'The American Dream' and 'Class Conflict' in the novel.

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, the theme of the American Dream plays a significant role. The American Dream suggests that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success through hard work and determination. Gatsby, the protagonist, embodies this idea. He comes from a poor family and works tirelessly to become wealthy, hoping that his success will win back Daisy Buchanan's love.

However, Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream leads to disappointment and tragedy. Despite his wealth, he cannot attain the happiness he desires, especially with Daisy. His dream of recreating the past with her is unrealistic, and this unattainable ideal shows that the American Dream is often a false hope.

Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream by showing its limitations. The novel suggests that material success, like Gatsby's wealth, cannot guarantee happiness or fulfillment. Instead, it points out that the American Dream often masks deeper issues, such as social inequality and moral decay.

Class Conflict in The Great Gatsby

The theme of class conflict is also explored in the novel. The characters are divided by their social status, particularly between the old-money class and the new-money class. Characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan represent the old-money elite, while Gatsby represents the new-money class. Although Gatsby becomes rich, he is still not fully accepted by the upper class because of his humble origins.

This division shows how difficult it is to change one's social class, even with wealth. Gatsby is constantly reminded of his lower-class roots, and no matter how much money he has, he can never fully fit in with the established wealthy class. This creates a deep sense of frustration for Gatsby.

Through this class conflict, Fitzgerald critiques the rigid social structure of the time. The novel suggests that social mobility is limited and that one's class background can define their place in society, regardless of their financial success. This idea highlights the barriers to achieving true social equality.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, The Great Gatsby explores the complexities of the American Dream and class conflict. While Gatsby embodies the pursuit of wealth and success, his tragic end reveals the emptiness behind the dream, showing that material achievement does not guarantee happiness. The novel also critiques the rigid social divisions, where even wealth cannot overcome the barriers of class. Through Gatsby's story, Fitzgerald highlights the illusory nature of the American Dream and the persistent inequalities in society.

References 

 Barad, Dilip. "The Great Gatsby." Dilip Barad's Blog, 2021, blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/06/great-gatsby.html. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

 Cugat, Francis. "The Great Gatsby Book Cover Art and Its Connection to the Novel's Themes." ResearchGate, 2021, www.researchgate.net/publication/378336042_The_Great_Gatsby_Book_cover_art_and_its_connection_to_the_novel's_themes. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.