F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby’’ is often celebrated for its portrayal of the American Dream and the glittering excesses of the Jazz Age. The roaring twenties are portrayed as a glittering facade, but beneath the facade of wealth and glamor lies a profound exploration of loss and the accompanying grief that permeates the lives of its characters. Fitzgerald masterfully depicts a society defined by tragedy and disillusionment, where the pursuit of happiness is constantly overshadowed by the specter of loss.
At the core of the story, lies Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a driving force fueled by his undying devotion. This longing for Daisy stretches beyond mere romanticism, delving into a deep-seated sense of longing and regret for a past that can never be recaptured. Daisy represents Gatsby’s idealistic vision of the American Dream — prosperity, social standing, and the promise of a brighter future. However, her marriage to Tom Buchanan and her inability to return Gatsby’s affections symbolize the insurmountable loss that haunts him. Despite outward displays of opulence and success, Gatsby remains tethered to a past he cannot escape, forever chasing an unattainable dream.
Myrtle Wilson’s character represents the destructive power of unfulfilled desires and the futility of trying to rise above one’s social standing. Her affair with Tom Buchanan showcases a desperate attempt to escape her mundane existence and achieve a life of glamor and opulence. But her tragic death shows the ultimate pointlessness of these aspirations. Myrtle’s death not only marks the loss of her physical presence, but also the crushing of her existential hopes and dreams. In this way, she becomes a cautionary tale for the fleeting nature of human life and the emptiness of material pursuits.
As the observer and narrator of the novel, Nick Carraway bears witness to the pervasive moral decay and disillusionment that permeate the world he inhabits. Through his friendship with Gatsby, he is exposed to the dark underbelly of wealth and privilege, shattering his previously held beliefs about the inherent goodness of humanity. As he grapples with the reality that the American Dream is a hollow facade, his own loss of innocence and idealism is reflected in his growing disillusionment with society. By leaving behind West Egg at the end of the novel, Nick symbolically separates himself from the corruption and moral bankruptcy that have consumed those around him, representing a profound loss of faith in the values that once defined him.
Through the intertwined experiences of all these characters, Fitzgerald delves into the numerous ways in which grief shapes individual identity and collective consciousness. The unrequited love of Gatsby, shattered dreams of Myrtle, and moral crisis of Nick all act as poignant examples of the lasting impact loss can have on our lives. And as the novel reaches its climactic conclusion, the lingering echoes of this pervasive grief serve as a haunting reminder of life’s fleeting existence and the enduring power of memory.
Also published on Medium.
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I love the Great Gatsby and this is a fab article!
Another smaller symbol of loss and grief I think is the billboard that over hangs Myrtle and George’s garage – I remember at school when we did this book we talked about it having lots of connotations, that it is like an all-seeing eye over the events but I also think it symbolizes lost potential in people’s lives and how the American Dream doesn’t reach everyone and the way that it is described next to this wasteland also makes it sound like the characters are grieving for this slot potential, much like Jay Gatsby is over Daisy.
I love how every time you read this book there are different symbols and meanings that come out.
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Absolutely, the juxtaposition of the billboard against the desolate wasteland surrounding it beautifully highlights the contrast between the lofty aspirations of characters, particularly Gatsby and the harsh reality of their lives. Also, your observation about the billboard serving as an all-seeing eye over the events of the novel is spot-on. It adds another dimension to its significance, suggesting a sense of surveillance or judgment that pervades the characters’ lives, further emphasizing their inability to escape their pasts or transcend their circumstances.
You’re right, one of the enduring qualities of “The Great Gatsby” is its richness and complexity, with each reading revealing new symbols and meanings.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Glad you found resonance in the article. Happy reading!
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