Gatsby has been made into movie versions at least twice, once with Robert Redford as the title character and once with Leonardo diCaprio. I have not seen the second one, for Redford IS Gatsby for me. Always has been, always will be. No one can play Jay like he can.
Probably the liveliest and most well-attended Blackboard IM session this semester was the one for Pod #5. We chatted for nearly 90 minutes about Tom and Daisy, Myrtle and George, Nick, Jay, and Jordan. We talked about the uses of 'time' in the novel (which was supposed to spur some to write in the discussion board but they didn't do it-I was disappointed!). We talked about symbolism. We talked about the characters. We talked about the settings. It was just a great discussion of a great book.
One of the things I like about the novel is the set up of the three parties. These occur at Tom and Daisy's house (Chapter 1), at the New York apartment in a seedy part of town (Chapter 2), and at Jay's mansion (Chapter 3). The students who completed the activity titled Party! Party! Party! examined the nuances of each party, down to the details of the food served, the conversations, and the guests. I like these parties because they are part of the exposition of the story, introducing the setting and the characters in the novel , as well as beginning the action of the plot. Each one is distinct, each one has its own personality, and each one is a showcase of a particular setting and the characters.
Even though she makes me furious at the end of the novel, Daisy is one of my favorite characters. She is hard to figure out at times. Where is she coming from? What is her life like? She knows that she has been duped by her husband, knowing he is unfaithful to her, and she wishes that their daughter will be 'a beautiful little fool' rather than one who can't use her knowledge and power in a man's world. Yet she seems to be so 'in love' and energized when she is with Jay, that we are tricked into believing, just for a few chapters, that their love story just might turn into a 'happy ever after' type.
Then my opinion of her crashes. Big time. That moment in the kitchen when she and Tom are together after Myrtle is killed---my perception of her changes and she isn't one of my favorite characters anymore. She has used Jay for her own purposes. There is no 'true love.' There will be no 'happy ever after.' She belongs with Tom. She does. Because they are just as Nick said. They are careless people.
Do we know these types of people today? Are some women 'beautiful little fools'? Do women manipulate men and vice versa? Is there such a thing as 'true love'? Gatsby gives us something to think about, doesn't it?
I believe that there are definitely examples of "beautiful little fools in modern society." For some reason, the first thing that came to mind after reading that question were the Kardashian family. I don't know if you know much about them, but they are essentially famous for being famous. Loved and talked about mainly for their beauty and style, many believe that the Kardashians really have no true talent. I follow Kardashian news and glance at their many reality television shows from time to time mainly for entertainment, but I do not consider them role models. I do think it is possible that women like them can be manipulated by men because men may desire them just for their good looks and their money. Finally, as for the question of true love, I do think it is possible. I believe that love is true when one is in love with the person, and not their assets. As with Gatsby and Daisy in The Great Gatsby and even with Dexter and Judy in "Winter Dreams," the love ceased to be "true" once it transcended the people themselves and became a focus on material things.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books. I could not continue the blackboard IM's even though I wish I had been able to. This book has so many meaningful symbols. Daisy said she wanted her daughter to be a "beautiful little fool." I read Sarabia's comment about the Kardashian family and she is absolutely right! I think those types of women just want the glamor. I have no idea if they are actually smart, but none of them go to college or have a PHD. They live life large because they have money to do so. Without the money, where would all those women be in life?? I think women do manipulate men, but men also manipulate women. It works both ways and happens all the time. Usually, good looks play a role in manipulation. I believe in true love, but it also seems like a fairy tale to me. I have seen ,y grandparents and parents and the love they have. I am just waiting on my fairy tale love to happen. Although, that search ended. I don't need a true love to make me happy. I think Gatsby truly loved Daisy, but I think she loved her lifestyle more than him. She could of had it too with him, but she chose her husband instead. This makes me believe someone can love another enough to take the blame for whatever they did.
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