Gatsby: A selection of Quotes

“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.” All good writing keeps you hanging on, wanting more, making you want to further interpret character traits and personalities, and find the symbolism. Good writing makes you want to read past what is on the surface. It is "swimming" and you have to dive into it.
Fitzgerald uses a ton of symbolic descriptions in this story. Symbols for social characteristics and trends of the 1920's. East and West Egg are a representation of new or self made wealth (west) and family or old fortune (east). Both Gatsby and Nick have a similar contemptuous attitude. Is it because they were both WWI soldiers? I feel that Gatsby's character is more of a representation of the uprising of organised crime in America during the 20's.
I wrote a lot about moral decay and greed of the 20's in my last blog about The Great Gatsby. For this entry I want to focus on the "American Dream" and that people do crazy things when their in love. I think this story is about the complete destruction of the American Dream at this time. First of all what is the "American Dream"? Come to America, make an honest hard working living, and you can achieve all your goals! You can do anything you set your mind to! Gatsby worked his way to the top of the social ladder. During his childhood he had very little. The only thing keeping him apart from his love Daisy was money. Gatsby is a highly motivated person and would do anything to gain wealth and a high social position because in gaining those things he could gain Daisy. He began making his fortune, but in the wrong way entirely. Gatsby is involved with organized crime such as the illegal distribution of alcohol. American dream crushed. He is working dishonestly and has still not acquired the thing he desires most, Daisy. He has made her to be this perfect specimen of beauty. As his emotions are more "sitting" rather than "active" ones. Because of this Daisy is almost UN-reachable to Gatsby. When his dream of her is no longer all that is left is immoral wealth. I like Gatsby, I think his intentions meant well. I loved The way Fitzgerald presented him in the story. He had an Ora of mysticism about him. He illuminated green on the dock at the beginning of the book. Did the green symbolize greed or money? Or perhaps jealousy? Jealousy of Tom who had in fact won Gatsby's girl? I don't like Tom much. He's just "that guy" for me. Theres always "that guy". His character sits weird in my tummy. Kind of like listening to a whole Primus album.