Hello readers! Here, I am going to write down one another blog. This blog is inspired by Dr.Dilip sir barad - Department of English, Bhavnagar University. This blog is also a part of our thinking activity. In this blog I am going to share my views upon this novel named - ' The Great Gatsby ' by American novelist F.Scott Fitzgerald.
First Let us have a brief overview about the novel and writer itself.
F.Scott.Fitzgerald :-
Francis Scott key Fitzgerald was an American novelist, essayist and Short story writer. He was born on 24th September in 1896. He is best known for his novels depicting the Flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age - a term he Popularized. Although he achieved temporary popular success and Fortune in the 1920s , Fitzgerald received critical acclaim only after his death and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
Fitzgerald best known for his works especially - ' The Great Gatsby ' and ' Tender is the Night ' - 1934 - two keystones of Modernist fiction. He Popularized a term - Jazz Age to Convey the Post - World war l era's newfound Prosperity, Consumerism and shifting sexual mores.
Key Facts of the Novel :- ' The Great Gatsby ' :-
Author :- F.Scott Fitzgerald
Full Title :- The Great Gatsby
Date of First Publication :- 10 April 1925.
Publisher :- Charles Scribner's Sons
Type of work :- Novel
Genre :- Tragedy, Realism, Modernist Novel, Social Satire
Language:- English
Time and Place Written :- 1923 - 1924 America and France
Setting ( Time) :- Summer 1922
Setting ( Place ) :- Long Island and New York City
Protagonist :- Jay Gatsby
Tense :- Past
( This is the image of an Iconic book cover of this novel and it is made by one Artist named - Francis Caught).
Movie screening :-
On the day of 3rd January we had a movie screening of The Great Gatsby organized by Dr.Dilip sir Barad. Here are some glimpses of the movie screening.
The Great Gatsby is a 2013 historical romantic drama film based on the novel by F.Scott.Fitzgerald with the same title.The Film was Co - written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. The Film follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby who is our Protagonist of the movie and Novel. The Following are the star cast of this film.
• Leonardo DiCaprio as James Gatz / Jay Gatsby
• Tobey Maguire as Nick caraway
• Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan
• Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan
• Jason Clarke as George Wilson
• Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson
• Elizabeth Debicki as Jordan Baker( Daisy 's best friend ).
• Amitabh Bachchan as Meyer wolfsheim
Director:- Baz Luhrmann
Video :- 1 Movie Trailer
Video :- 2 Summary & Analysis
Watch both these videos for your better understanding about this novel. So, Further it will help you to know about my answers of the questions..
Now I am going to discuss some alloted questions given by Dr. Dilip Barad sir with the reference of Movie screening of The great Gatsby.
Question - 1 :- How did the film capture the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties, the Flappers and The Prohibition act of 1920s in America?
Answer :- Fitzgerald has greatly explored Jazz Age in his novel - The Great Gatsby. As we have seen in the movie also that Baz Luhrmann faithfully captured Jazz Age/ Music. So, Let us try to see and Understand each one by one and how faithfully it is Presented or Captured in the movie,Directed by Baz Luhrmann.
☆ Jazz Age :- The Jazz Age is the time Period in the 1920s and 1930s when Jazz music dance gained widespread Popularity throughout the United states. The Jazz Age was a time of economic Prosperity and liberal Social activity.
The 1920s were a very upbeat,celebratory time for the American People. There were wild Parties , bootleggers sneaking alcohol around due to Prohibition and an elevated sense of materialism. People were enjoying the finer things in life , seemingly going through everyday life without a care in the world. This period of time can be referred to as ' The Roaring Twenties as well as The Jazz Age.' In the novel and movie one can see both positive and negative aspects of Jazz Age through several characters, symbols and events.
The Film captures the Jazz Age by showing Gatsby 's luxurious Parties. No one knows that where the money is coming from. As the movie Progresses, we come to know that Gatsby's wealth is coming from share market and bootlegging - the illegal business of liquor. Jazz Age encouraged a lively youth culture focused around the automobile , Jazz music and bootleg liquor.
☆ Flappers :- Flapper, Young woman known for wearing Short dresses and bobbed hair and for embracing freedom from traditional societal constrains. Flappers are Predominantly associated with the late 1910s and 20s in the United states.
Two characters in the novel that exemplify the nature of Flappers. They are Daisy and Jordan Baker. Through their lifestyle and fashion they both emulate all the defining aspects of a 1920s Flapper.
☆ The Prohibition act of America in 1920s :-
The period of Prohibition of alcohol in 1920s and 1930s is often called the most famous and infamous times in the history of United states. Its intention was to reduce alcoholconsumption by elimination of its manufacturers, distributors and sellers. Organized crime was one of the worst effects of Prohibition. It encouraged ordinary citizens to take Part in illegal activities such as bootlegging and consuming alcohol.
The citizens were prone to take part in such illegal activities to make a living and earn money much like Gatsby did. In the movie also we can see that party lovers people can consume alcohol as much as they can.
So, the film captures all this aspects of Jazz Age, Flapper Culture and Prohibition act of America in a very good way.
Question - 2 :- What is the difference between the Film and the novel and write in brief about it.
Answer :- The difference between the novel - ' The Great Gatsby ' and the movie is the Perspective of the author and the Director. So, Let us try to analyse the changes which Baz Luhrmann has done in the movie.
Following are the major changes that made by Filmmaker in his film.
1. The Frame story
2. Relationship between Jordan Baker and Nick carraway
3. Lunch with wolfsheim
4. Gatsby's Death and Funeral
1. The Frame story :- One major difference between the movie and the novel is the beginning. The movie opens up with Nick carraway in sanitarium diagnosed by a doctor of some sort as " Morbidly alcoholic." While, Fitzgerald's Nick refers to be as the man who gives his name to this book. In the movie, Nick first gives the title - 'Gatsby' then adds The 'Great.'
2. Relationship between Jordan & Nick:-
The Relationship between Jordan Baker and Nick carraway also portrayed differently. In the novel they become a couple and breakup near the end of the summer. While, In the movie we can not find any development of their Relationship. Luhrmann 's Nick says he found Jordan ' Frightening ' at first, - a word which Nick carraway does not apply to her in the novel.
□ The Scene of Apartment Party is also different in the novel and the movie.
3. Lunch with wolfsheim :-
In the novel Jay Gatsby takes Nick to lunch where he introduces Nick with Mayer wolfsheim. While, In the movie Gasby and Nick both go to the barber shop in Gatsby's car and meet wolfsheim. The meeting with him also depicted differently.
□ Luhrmann also cut two characters in the movie.
1. Nick carraway 's maid The Finnish woman
2. Ella Kaye
4. Gatsby's Death and Funeral :-
In the novel Gatsby is murdered by George Wilson, the mechanic husband of Tom's mistress. But, Fitzgerald does not depict the murder. In both the forms means In the novel and movie, Gatsby is waiting for a call from Daisy. In the film, Nick calls and Gatsby gets out of the pool when he hears the phone ring. He dies believing that the call was of Daisy. None of that happens in the novel.
Question - 3 :- How did the film help In understanding the symbolic significance of ' The valley of Ashes',' The eyes of T.J.Eckleberg', and ' The Green light ' ?
Answer :-
• The Valley of Ashes :- The valley of Ashes is a symbolic Place in the novel that first appears in chapter 2. It is a place between East and west Egg created by dumping the industrial waste. It represents how morality and social code of conduct are dropped out of the Industrial society.
The valley of Ashes is a highly effective symbol that represents the divide between the Poor and rich class. In the film also, it captured by the filmmaker in a very well way.
• The Eyes of T.J.Eckleberg :-
The Eyes of T.J.Eckleberg are faded bespectacled Eyes Printed on the bill board over the valley of Ashes. The eyes represent thecommercialism which is the backbone of the American dream. It is clear from the fact of how Gatsby earns a lot of wealth to get Daisy back on his life.
These Eyes represent the hollowness and solidity in Gatsby's eyes, for despite having all the glitters in life,his eyes reflect emptiness. To George Wilson,they are the eyes of God that watch every segment of the society.
• The Green light :-
The symbol of Green light Pops up many times in the novel. It represents Gatsby's Dream and hope. The Green light also signifies his memories with Daisy and the gap between his past and Present. Gatsby love to stand at the dock to stare at that green light which represents Jay Gatsby's innermost desire to revive his past.
Gatsby is very much hopeful that one day he will win the lost moments. The symbol of Green light also stands for his artificial and unrealistic aims in Jay Gatsby's life.
Question - 4 :- How did the film capture the theme of racism and Sexism?
Answer:- In the movie - 'The Great Gatsby' The themes of Sexism and racism captured very well. So, Let us try to understand these themes.
■ Theme of Racism :- The theme of racism can be very well defined through the character of Tom Buchanan. He shows this when Nick comes over for dinner one night and Tom makes the comment about " The Rising of Colored Empires".
Tom believes that the white race has to stay strong. His racist ideas fully correspond to the situation in the United states in the 1920s which is reflected in his emphasizing the supremacy of white people. Along with that expressing his fear of the white population to be submerged by the black community.
Tom strongly believed that black people are inferior than white Americans. As a racist person we came to know about the thoughts if Tom Buchanan. In the valley of Ashes, black people were living very poor and painful life, which again In contrast with wealthy and upper class white people like - Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby etc.
■Theme of Sexism :- Sexism is when the opposite gender discriminates the other gender. It is when People mainly men are being Prejudice, stereotyping or discriminating typically against women on the basis of sex. Tom Buchanan is full of standards which he encourages to other to reach but ironically does not successfully meet up to them. He had this idea that women are looked at as low and weak people where as men are better.
Tom's actions reflects on the way he thinks about women. He does not respect them and as a result,he slaps Myrtle across the face. When Daisy was talking with Nick about her daughter she said that ;
" I hope she will be a fool and that is the best thing a girl can be in this world - a beautiful little fool."
So, the themes of Racism and Sexism Portrayed very well in the film.
Question- 5 :- Discuss Nick Carraway as a Narrator.
Answer :- Nick Carraway is the narrator of the Novel- 'The Great Gatsby'. He was sharing the events of the Novel from the first person Perspective. Nick is the cousin of Daisy Buchanan. Nick narrates the story from the past. He builds a relationship with many of the major characters of the novel but he Prefers to stay out of the dramatic decisions that the wealthy people make. He does develop a personal relationship with Daisy's golfer friend Jordan Baker, but they soon Breakup.
In the very beginning of the Novel, he states;
" In my Younger and more vulnerable Years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. Whenever You feel like criticizing anyone,he told me,Just Remember that all the People in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."
At the end of the novel,when Gatsby died only Nick was there for his Funeral. No one else was there,Not even Daisy. Nick carraway is also one of the important character in the entire novel. As a Narrato we can underthat he narrates the things from his own point of view. Also, he is not Judging anyone. So, In my point of view It can be seen as a Faithful narration.
Question- 6 :- Psychoanalytical Study of Jay Gatsby and write about his character.
Answer:- Psychoanalytical is the study of the minds if characters in the novel and how characters are affected by inner desire. In the novel - ' The Great Gatsby ' we see the story of essentric millionaire Jay Gatsby in his Journey towards achieving Daisy. The Great Gatsby shows how different Psychoanalytic personalities succeed or fail to achieve the American dream with a disregard to social staus or gender.
Jay Gatsby's desire to win Daisy at the Perfect place in the Perfect time is the biggest Psychoanalytic approach in the Great Gatsby. The only thing that he is truly passionate about is Daisy. Which is the driving force behind everything he does. He throw lavish Parties every weekend , hoping that one day Daisy will walk through his door and be impressed by his wealth.
Through Analytical study of Jay we found that his character filled with so many Emotions. Everyone has a natural attraction towards youth,wealth, beauty and power. No one had the power to challenge such things. Everyone attended his lavish Parties only but no one was there with him in his bad times or at the time of funeral. we can find shame in the character of Gatsby, the shame of belonging to small town and lower class. That is why he Pretend to being an Oxford man. He gained wealth from the illegal business of bootlegging and share market. He changes his name and gave other fake identities only to impress Daisy. Throughout the novel, he seems very Optimistic about everything and specially about Daisy that one day they both will live their lives happily together.
Here I am Putting the video of classroom presentation of the Novel - The Great Gatsby given by me and two other fellow classmates.
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