Literature
I think my expectations were set a little too high. Considering The Great Gatsby's iconic status as the quintessential 'American Novel' I expected something a little more, oh, I don't know...profound? Dazzling? Life changing? Instead, it left me feeling rather ambivalent. Everyone seems to be in unanimous agreement that Fitzgerald has written one of, if not, the greatest novel of the 20th century but on a personal level, it never fully registered with me. He certainly possesses a highly polished writing style that oozes sophistication and I can sort of understand why this novel has endured such notoriety for so long since it is full of rich complexity concerning class, gender and heavy on symbolism that critics seem to love for its exegesis.
The novel seems to be highly critical of the American class system and the fallacy of the "American dream" but is Fitzgerald condemning the upper class or does he feel shunned by it because he wishes to be a member of the elite? I don't know. His depiction of American society during the turbulent 1920's is vibrant with a cast of colorful characters, especially the mysterious Gatsby who represents the emergence of this new class--the self-made man, the who now stands in opposition to the aristocracy of inherited wealth. I am still uncertain as to what Fitzgerald truly intended to accomplish here and it will require several more readings to fully understand the core of this novel.
- Deal Me In Challenge: Souls Belated By Edith Wharton
Card Drawn: 9 of Diamonds. So much for my triumphant return in May only to make an appearance 5 months later... To those few individuals who actually follow my blog, I offer my sincere apologies. It was never my intention to go completely AWOL but I...
- Tender Is The Night By F. Scott Fitzgerald
?Actually that?s my secret ? I can?t even talk about you to anybody because I don?t want any more people to know how wonderful you are.? Three main thoughts circulated my mind while struggling to labor through this insufferable 315 page snore-fest:...
- Neglected Review #5: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
?I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.? This will be less of a formal review and more of a short personal reaction to the novel, which will probably not earn me any brownie points. I understand that To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those...
- Book Beginnings On Friday: Vile Bodies By Evelyn Waugh
It's that time of the week again! Thanks to Rose City Reader for hosting this event where you share the first line or two from your current read and then offer some brief thoughts about any initial impressions. This will be my second time participating...
- Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck
"A guy needs somebody - to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick."...
Literature
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
I think my expectations were set a little too high. Considering The Great Gatsby's iconic status as the quintessential 'American Novel' I expected something a little more, oh, I don't know...profound? Dazzling? Life changing? Instead, it left me feeling rather ambivalent. Everyone seems to be in unanimous agreement that Fitzgerald has written one of, if not, the greatest novel of the 20th century but on a personal level, it never fully registered with me. He certainly possesses a highly polished writing style that oozes sophistication and I can sort of understand why this novel has endured such notoriety for so long since it is full of rich complexity concerning class, gender and heavy on symbolism that critics seem to love for its exegesis.
The novel seems to be highly critical of the American class system and the fallacy of the "American dream" but is Fitzgerald condemning the upper class or does he feel shunned by it because he wishes to be a member of the elite? I don't know. His depiction of American society during the turbulent 1920's is vibrant with a cast of colorful characters, especially the mysterious Gatsby who represents the emergence of this new class--the self-made man, the who now stands in opposition to the aristocracy of inherited wealth. I am still uncertain as to what Fitzgerald truly intended to accomplish here and it will require several more readings to fully understand the core of this novel.
Read from April 24 to 25, 2011
- Deal Me In Challenge: Souls Belated By Edith Wharton
Card Drawn: 9 of Diamonds. So much for my triumphant return in May only to make an appearance 5 months later... To those few individuals who actually follow my blog, I offer my sincere apologies. It was never my intention to go completely AWOL but I...
- Tender Is The Night By F. Scott Fitzgerald
?Actually that?s my secret ? I can?t even talk about you to anybody because I don?t want any more people to know how wonderful you are.? Three main thoughts circulated my mind while struggling to labor through this insufferable 315 page snore-fest:...
- Neglected Review #5: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
?I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.? This will be less of a formal review and more of a short personal reaction to the novel, which will probably not earn me any brownie points. I understand that To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those...
- Book Beginnings On Friday: Vile Bodies By Evelyn Waugh
It's that time of the week again! Thanks to Rose City Reader for hosting this event where you share the first line or two from your current read and then offer some brief thoughts about any initial impressions. This will be my second time participating...
- Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck
"A guy needs somebody - to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick."...