Monday, December 11, 2006
To me the Gatsby was, if anything, a vision of the author Fitzgerald himself. The reason for placing Nick there was to make sure that The Great Gatsby was not an autobiography. Fitzgerald didnt want to get too emotive with his work but in a sense his financial success, alchoholism and his struggle to take care of Zelda was partly knifed into the storyline of the Great Gatsby. It was a reflection of his life. Other than himself, Fitzgerald was probably influenced by the character Kurtz from Joseph Conrad's novel, The Heart of Darkness. Although Gatsby might be a functioning at a smaller scale than his French/German colonial counterpart. One of the earliest influences to Gatsby, be it a concious effort by Fitzgerald or not, is Icarus, who Daedelus(1920's America) gave wings to and flew high up in the sky only to be burnt by the sun and dies, just like Gatsby gained financial success only to be murdered. One of the metaphors of the book describing Gatsby is "He was the Son Of God" and that he was spreading good, just like jesus did in the bible. Gatsby can be similiar to Jesus in the sense that both of them sought out to achieve whatever they had planned and dreamed for, but were in the end betrayed by their closest friends/allies. Gatsby was betrayed by Daisy, who failed to meet his expectations as his perfect woman and pushed her blame to Gatsby in the same way that Judas, Jesus's close friend and disciple betrayed him. Fitzgerald had to be brave to actually say that someone could actually be compared to "The Son of God". It would be a very controversial and sensitive matter. Post Fitzgerald characters influenced by the Great Gatsby would most likely be Charles Foster Kane, who seeked toe be loved through his wealth and power. Another character, VERY similiar to Gatsby, would be Count Lazlo De Almasy from The English Patient. He loved a married woman, was rich, kept on pursuing her despite being tragically torn apart, used foul methods and eventually got killed trying to pursue his dream of being with his only love. I bet there are a lot of more figures which i havent put inside. Not many historical figures which I can accurately relate though there are some who come to my mind but I dont feel are worth mentioning..
bubblebuddy took the leap at 6:32 PM
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name:Demo Man
age:Born1989(Lazy to update)
likes:Cats and Pink Floyd
dislikes:Wabbits
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