A Book Review of The Great Gatsby
A novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby follows the life of Nick Carraway in 1920’s Long Island, New York. A veteran from World War I, Nick tries to fit in with the socialite life of New York during the roaring twenties. Written in an unforgettable style, Fitzgerald’s eloquence is well exhibited in this book. A vivid description of life during an economic peak, the people Nick begin to associate with turn out to be people he didn’t really know all too well. Jay Gatsby really turns out being just James Gatz, and that James Gatz is a bootlegger, among other things, surprise Nick as he lives his life in West Egg. There isn’t much to dislike about this novel—the era is interesting, the language is elegant yet lucid, and the characters are relatable. What stood out, in my opinion, is the ash-ridden valley that Nick drives through. Almost a metaphor of what people have to go through before they can truly succeed, this scene creates a sense of uncertainty. The billboard with the big eyes wearing glasses, an advertisement for optometry, can also loosely be interpreted as a “big brother is watching” type of ordeal, implying the prohibition laws that the government had passed during this time. A work that combines a great deal of elegant diction, cultural style, and a meaningful purpose is what drives this book to become one of the greats to be loved for generations to come.
I'd agree that it certainly was well written. Fitzgerald's highly unique style was able to thoroughly entertain me and it seems that you've found it entertaining as well. Interesting note concerning the billboard. I interpreted it quite differently, but taken in an Orwellian context it just may very well be a manifestation of governmental conservatism (Though I thought it was much more likely to be a broader representation of either God, the Past or the Self looking upon the age with silentdisdain.)
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