The Great Gatsby

The Power of the past in the novel
There is a big mystery around Gatsby's past. The visitors of his parties love to chat about it, they love to spread wild rumours about his life and his career in illegal businesses. They really don't care if he had a wealthy or a poor upbringing, the just like the idea of knowing a famous man. Gatsby doesn't stop that gossip, he doesn't tell much about himself besides people he gets to know better like Nick. And so Nick gets to know how much the past means to Gatsby. In the past he had that ideal picture of a lovestory, his time with Daisy before he had to join the army in the war. These were probably his happiest moments. And somehow the idea got fixed in his mind that if he could get back everything like it was at that time before it would be perfect again. He just wants to win Daisy back and he doesn't consider that time changes people, their emotions and their character traits. He also doesn't realize that maybe Daisy isn't that adorable lady his lovesick mind made her in his loneliness.

We learn more about Gatsby's youth at his own funeral when his father shows Nick the schedule and the aims of the young boy written down in one of his books. This tells us about Gatsby's ambition and determination, his will to live the American Dream.

The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway moves to New York to get a job as a stock brocker. He finds a small house on Long Island, an expensive area where rich people live. Next to his home lays the big mansion of Jay Gatsby. Opposite the bay Nick's cousin Daisy lives with her husband Tom Buchanan. Tom is having an mistress and he isn't making a big secret out of it. Everybody seems to know. He even introduces his lover Myrtle, who is married to poor gas - station owner Wilson, to Nick. Jay Gatsby seems to be a big mystery, everybody tells different stories about him. Most of the people think he got wealthy by illegal business. Although he gives big partys every weekend, he doesnt seem to have many friends. Nick gets to know him better and one day Gatsby asks him to arrange a meeting with his cousin Daisy. They turn out to be former lovers. When Gatsby, who was poor at that time, had to join the army, Daisy wasn't able to wait for him and married Tom Buchanan, blended by his money. When Gatsby heard that, he started to believe that becoming as rich as possible would bring him Daisy back. He made his big fortune through bootlegging. Now, as they meet again, they continue their romance but they have to realize that it will never be the same like before. And it all ends in a big tragedy when Daisy and Gatsby drive home from New York and pass Wilson's gas - station. Myrtle runs out of the house towards the car in which she expects Tom and the car crashes into her. She is dead. The car, that is droven by Daisy, leaves abruptly. Wilson, who only knows the color of the car, begins to search the whole neighbourhood for it and its owner. Finally he gets to Gatsby's mansion, finds the car and shoots first Gatsby and then himself.

Symbols in "The Great Gatsby"

The light

Opposite Gatsby's mansion across the bay lays the Buchanan's house. Late in the evening when Gatsby stands at the beach and glances into their direction, he can see a green light constantly shining the whole night guiding boats safely to the Buchanan's dock. This light is a symbol for Gatsby, a symbol of hope, a symbol for his aim, his love. It guides him to Daisy, it tells him she is not far away and that he is only one step away from his aim.

The eyes

Wilson's gas - station lays in the wasteland between Long Island and Manhattan. It's a depressing area. The only remarkable object there is the advertisement of an optician. It shows two big eyes wearing glasses. For Wilson they are a symbol for God. He tells Myrtle that she maybe can fool him, but she can't fool God because he watches them all the time.

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