NationStates Jolt Archive

At present, I am studying "The Great Gatsby" for English Literature AS level, and, having completed it in my own time on Tuesday, I thought a little upon Gatsby himself, and suddenly found myself identifying with a considerable proportion of his dreams, idiosyncracies and roots. Odd no?

that is kind of odd, but then again Great Gatsby is kind of an odd book

suddenly found myself identifying with a considerable proportion of his dreams, idiosyncracies and roots. Odd no?

..You're wealthy and corrupt? :p

No; honestly, I think Gatsby was ultimately meant to represent all of us in one way or another. I identify with him more than any other character, even more than Nick. After all, Gatsby did symbolize the American dream in many ways, even though it was corrupted...and I think Gatsby's dream is more common today than it was in any other time since the 1920's.

..You're wealthy and corrupt? :p

Not yet. :)

More low born, ambitious, not concerned how I achieve my social advancement, a romantic in both senses, and prone to creating illusions to maintain an image. Sad no?

At present, I am studying "The Great Gatsby" for English Literature AS level, and, having completed it in my own time on Tuesday, I thought a little upon Gatsby himself, and suddenly found myself identifying with a considerable proportion of his dreams, idiosyncracies and roots. Odd no?
No.

..You're wealthy and corrupt? :p
Gatsby was an outsider trying to fit in with a crowd that thought they were better than him. I think most people have been in such a situation before and can identify with him.

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch our arms out further..." - Fitzgerald

I dunno, but to be corrupt for the cause of a Romantic dream, however selfish, may yet prove to be virtuous. It may be that so few of the present generation understand this idea that I feel like :headbang:
Good for you, The Blessed Chris.

At present, I am studying "The Great Gatsby" for English Literature AS level, and, having completed it in my own time on Tuesday, I thought a little upon Gatsby himself, and suddenly found myself identifying with a considerable proportion of his dreams, idiosyncracies and roots. Odd no?
Not really, I identified heavily with him, and it is one of the few books that I found moving, that and Mice and Men (see, I have got a soul, I just don't use it much).
And, JMC, there is nothing wrong with wealth or corruption. In time, I hope to obtain both in large degrees.

And, JMC, there is nothing wrong with wealth or corruption. In time, I hope to obtain both in large degrees.

The easiest way to get wealth is through corruption...but you don't have the influence necessary for corrpution without wealth. It's a tough business. :(

I never got the point about "the Great Gatsby".. Admittedly it wasn't the worst book I've had to read, it didn't make me want to wash my brain with turpentine, unlike some books. But I got absolutely nothing out of either, except boredom perhaps.

I never got the point about "the Great Gatsby".. Admittedly it wasn't the worst book I've had to read, it didn't make me want to wash my brain with turpentine, unlike some books. But I got absolutely nothing out of either, except boredom perhaps.

Wow, it's actually one of my favorite books. I guess different styles appeal to different people; I can't stand John Steinbeck, for example.

I never got the point about "the Great Gatsby".. Admittedly it wasn't the worst book I've had to read, it didn't make me want to wash my brain with turpentine, unlike some books. But I got absolutely nothing out of either, except boredom perhaps.
I felt the same way about A Tale of Two Cities. Had to read it in high school. Bored the hell out of me. I did like Of Mice and Men though. Different strokes for different folks I guess.