During the war, Fitzgerald wrote the Romantic Egotist which was rejected twice. He also fell in love and became engaged to Zelda Sayre, who left him due to his lack of success. Fitzgerald then returned home to write and This Side of Paradise was accepted in September, 1919. Bef

The excerpt I’ve selected for the literature anthology is page 180 through page 183. This scene is preceded by Jay Gatsby’s death. Nick has returned to Jay’s house to find Jay’s father there. Because Nick has never heard mention of this man, he is extremely surprised that he has come to Jay’s funeral. Mr. Gatz shows Nick a list that illustrates Jay’s constant desire to be a better person. When the funeral day finally arrives, only three cars enter the cemetery; the hearse, the limo, and a car with a few servants and the postman. Another car pulls in after them and Owl Eyes, an attendee of Gatsby’s parties, comes running up to Nick. He mentions that he couldn’t make it to the house and learns that no one else did either. Owl Eyes cannot believe that out of the hundreds who attended Jay’s meaningless parties, none could be concerned with attending his funeral. I selected this excerpt because it shows the reader that money does not buy happiness. It also teaches them that it is better to have one true friend than one thousand acquaintances who don’t truly care about you. Jay lived with hundreds of people but died with no one except Nick, his one true friend, and his father.

Hypocrisy is the third chief point of this novel. Nick Carraway is one of the only genuine, honest characters in this entire novel. He befriends Jay Gatsby because of who Jay is and he sticks by him until the very end. Almost every other character is blinded by money. Daisy abandons Jay, even though she loves him, because he has no money. Tom, on the other hand, has an abundance of wealth so she marries him without even getting to know him. Tom claims to love Daisy yet he is an adulterer and he makes her life miserable. Jordan Baker, the golf professional, lies, steals, and cheats her way through life without actually knowing anyone. Nick is the only person who sees through her devious ways, which is why she loses him. Throughout this entire novel, these characters strive for wealth and do not truly care for anyone but themselves. They “play both sides of the fence” so that they won’t fail to spot any opportunities that could benefit themselves. Their materialistic nature overtakes all of their emotions and morality.

I personally recommend this book, not only for the junior English class, but for everyone at some point in their lives. Not only does it provide you with morals and values for your life, it targets various interests so it is enjoyable for everyone. For the easily bored, there is a surprise at every turn; for the romantics, a tragic love story. Each person who reads The Great Gatsby will most likely learn a different lesson from it and that is the aim of the author. If ea

Some topics in this essay:
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