James Gatz/Jay Gatsby: a Narration (1-21-2012)

This scene is derived from Chapter 7, page 132. Words in italics indicate Gatsby’s thoughts. The rest is Nick’s narration.

“Daisy, that’s all over now,” he said earnestly.”It doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell him the truth- that you never loved him—and it’s all wiped out forever.”

Daisy, Daisy, Daisy, love. I have waited for years for you to tell Tom this. Surely you mean it, old sport. Now tell him! Tell him the truth!

She looked at him blindly. “Why—how could I love him—possibly?”

Possibly? Daisy, there is NO possibility! You love me and me only. Right?

“You never loved him.”

Come now Daisy, you KNOW this. Just admit it so we can finally be together in peace.

She hesitated. Her eyes fell on Jordan and me with a sort of appeal, as though she realized at last what she was doing—and as though she had never, all along, intended to do anything at all. But it was done now. It was too late.

“I never loved him,” she said, with perceptible reluctance.

That’s it! She told him! This "thing" between her and Tom must be over!

“Not at Kapiolani?” demanded Tom suddenly.

“No.”

From the ballroom beneath, muffled and suffocating clouds were drifting up on hot waves of air.

“Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry?” There was a husky tenderness in his tone…”Daisy?”

What is going on? Is that man there trying to soften my Daisy up? I don't understand!

“Please don’t.” Her voice was cold, but the rancor was gone from it. She looked at Gatsby. “There, Jay,” she said— but her hand as she tried to light a cigarette was trembling. Suddenly, she threw the cigarette and the burning match on the carpet. “I did love him once—but I loved you too.”

WHAT? You loved me too? You love me only! You never loved Tom! What is this all about? Could this possibly be true, old sport?

Gatsby’s eyes opened and closed.

“You loved me too?” he repeated. 

I am shocked...

The Decline of the American Dream Blog 1/12/2012

                 According to Forbes Magazine (and many other sources as well), faith in the American Dream is declining rapidly, especially after 9/11, the late 2000's Recession, and other horrendous events. A poll indicates that a mere 57% of people believed the American Dream could be achieved by them and their families in December 2010, as opposed to 76% of Americans in July 2010. This shows a 19% plunge in a single decade, something shocking yet true.

               There are many factors contributing to the rapid demise in faith of the cornerstone of America, the American Dream. For example, the income inequality gap has increased, resulting in a pyramid where most American wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, in part due to the late 2000's Recession (which many now coin the Great Recession). The recession itself also played a large factor in the loss of faith in the American Dream, with jobs disappearing and income not keeping up with inflation (especially is energy prices these days-just look at your local gas station). Student debt (and other kinds of debt as well) nail a hammer in the coffin of decreased faith in the American Dream- debt makes humans pessimistic, and when one is in debt, the materialistic aspect of the American Dream seems more out of reach than ever. Basically, when people enter a recession, faith in the American Dream is lost. Why? Everything about it is pecuniary.

           So. how does all of this tie in to The Great Gatsby? In the novel, the American Dream is very materialistic as it is today. Money, money, money. Money makes the world go round. After WWI was a decadent period (somewhat like today: our celebrities are similar to the uber-rich in the book) where people borrowed many items using plastic credit cards at an enormous rate, while the poor just tried to get by. It is important to note the novel itself is set in this time- the Roaring Twenties.  The early 2000's were like the Roaring Twenties, while the late 2000's were like the Great Depression. Of course, no matter what kind of economy we live in, money is idolized. In Chapter 9 of the novel, the American Dream (original) is supposedly the pursuit of happiness and moral values. I suppose as people grew richer and glean greenbacks, their moral values tended to nosedive. After all, life is about trade. Trade wealth for morals, and you truly pay a great price.

          Just remember, to be happy does not equate to being rich. There is much more to life than riches and plastic items.