The Great Gatsby

This blog is based on as a thinking activity task assigned by Dilip Barad sir.  Here is the link to the professor's research article for background reading: Click here.

Question : 1) Read the article on the Book cover art and its connection to the novel's themes - and write your understanding of the symbolic significance of the book cover.

Answer : 

Understanding the Symbolic Meaning of The Great Gatsby Book Cover :

The cover of The Great Gatsby, designed by Francis Cugat, is more than just an illustration—it reflects the novel’s deeper themes, like lost dreams, loneliness, and the moral decay of society.

1. The Dark Blue Background – The deep blue color gives a feeling of sadness and mystery. It represents Gatsby’s loneliness and how, despite his wealth, he is never truly happy. It also shows the dark side of the American Dream—how chasing success can lead to disappointment.

2. The Disembodied Eyes – The floating eyes on the cover look like Dr. T. J. Eckleburg’s billboard in the novel. They symbolize judgment, as if someone is always watching the greed and dishonesty of the Jazz Age. They remind us that actions have consequences.

3. The Green Light – In the novel, Gatsby looks at a green light across the bay, hoping to be with Daisy again. The light represents dreams that are always just out of reach. It shows how some dreams, no matter how hard we try, may never come true.

4. The City Lights – The bright lights in the background symbolize wealth and glamour. However, just like Gatsby’s dream, they are misleading. Money and success may look exciting, but they do not bring real happiness.

Conclusion : 

The cover of The Great Gatsby is not just a picture—it tells the story of Gatsby’s hopes, disappointments, and the illusion of the American Dream. It perfectly represents the novel’s message about dreams, loneliness, and the emptiness of wealth.

Question : 2) Write about 'Understanding Jay Gatsby's character' [Watch two short videos for the ideas 

Answer : 

Understanding Jay Gatsby’s Character :

Jay Gatsby, the mysterious main character of The Great Gatsby, is a man completely focused on chasing a dream he can never truly have. His life is built on illusion, and deep inside, he struggles with feelings of shame, guilt, and sadness. Looking at Gatsby’s character through both storytelling and psychology helps us understand why he makes the choices that lead to his downfall.

The Illusion of Jay Gatsby :

Gatsby was not always rich—he was born as James Gatz, a poor boy from the Midwest. He reinvented himself, becoming a wealthy and mysterious man, all to win back Daisy Buchanan, the woman he once loved. He made his fortune in questionable ways, hosted extravagant parties, and created an air of mystery, hoping that Daisy would notice and return to him. However, Gatsby refuses to accept reality—he believes he can bring back the past and make Daisy love him again. This dream blinds him to the truth and eventually leads to his tragic end.

Gatsby’s Inner Struggles: Shame, Guilt, and Grief : 

From a psychological perspective, Gatsby’s actions are driven by deep emotions. He is ashamed of his poor background and works obsessively to prove his worth. He believes that wealth and status can erase his past and make him good enough for Daisy.

Even though Gatsby never openly admits guilt, deep down, he knows his pursuit of Daisy is wrong—he is trying to break up her marriage. While he ignores this moral conflict, it still affects him. His greatest pain, however, comes from his inability to accept loss. He cannot let go of the past or his idealized version of Daisy, and this desperate longing pushes him toward self-destruction.

Conclusion :

Jay Gatsby is a man trapped by his own dreams and emotions. His story teaches us that no matter how much wealth or success one achieves, some things—especially the past—cannot be changed. His tragic fate reminds us of the dangers of chasing illusions instead of facing reality.

Question : 3) How faithful is Luhrmann's film adaption to the original novel? 

Answer : 

Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby stays true to many aspects of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel but also adds modern elements that change the story’s tone and style. While the film captures the novel’s themes, characters, and key events, it takes creative liberties in its presentation.

1. Faithfulness to the Story and Themes

The movie closely follows the novel’s plot, including Gatsby’s mysterious past, his love for Daisy, and the tragic ending. The themes of the American Dream, wealth, and social class remain central. The dialogue is also largely taken from the book, keeping Fitzgerald’s original words intact.

2. Differences in Style and Tone

Luhrmann’s adaptation is visually extravagant, with bright colors, fast-paced scenes, and modern music (like hip-hop). This differs from the novel’s more subtle and melancholic tone. The film’s energetic style makes Gatsby’s world feel larger-than-life, while the book presents it with a sense of quiet sadness.

3. The Role of Nick Carraway

In the film, Nick is shown as a patient in a mental hospital, writing Gatsby’s story as therapy. This is not in the novel, where Nick is simply narrating his experiences. This change gives the film a more personal and dramatic framing but is not true to Fitzgerald’s original storytelling.

4. Gatsby and Daisy’s Relationship

The film emphasizes the romance between Gatsby and Daisy more strongly than the novel. While the book shows Gatsby’s love as obsessive and unrealistic, the movie makes it seem more like a tragic love story. This makes Gatsby a more sympathetic character in the film.

Conclusion :

Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby remains faithful to the novel’s basic story and themes but adds a modern, flashy style that changes its tone. While it captures the spirit of Gatsby’s dream and downfall, some of the deeper meanings of the novel—especially its quiet critique of wealth and illusion—are overshadowed by the film’s energetic visuals and dramatic changes.

Question : 4) Write a brief note on the symbolic significance of 'Green Light' and 'Billboard of The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelberg' 

Answer : 

The Symbolic Significance of the Green Light and the Billboard of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg

1. The Green Light

The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock is one of the most important symbols in The Great Gatsby. It represents Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, especially his desire to reunite with Daisy. However, the light also symbolizes the idea that some dreams are impossible to reach. No matter how hard Gatsby tries, he can never fully recreate the past or win Daisy’s love in the way he imagines. The green light also reflects the American Dream—full of promise, yet often out of reach.

2. The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg

The giant billboard with the faded eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg watches over the valley of ashes, a bleak and lifeless area between West Egg and New York City. These eyes symbolize judgment and the moral decay of society. Many see them as a god-like figure, silently witnessing the corruption, dishonesty, and greed of the characters. The fact that they are part of an old advertisement also suggests that money and materialism have replaced true morality in the world of the novel.

Conclusion :

Both the green light and Dr. T. J. Eckleburg’s billboard serve as powerful symbols of illusion, lost dreams, and the moral emptiness of the Jazz Age. While the green light represents Gatsby’s unreachable dream, the billboard reminds readers of the consequences of a world driven by wealth and selfish desires.

Question : 5) Write a brief note on the theme of 'The American Dream' and 'Class Conflict' in the novel.

Answer : 

The Theme of the American Dream and Class Conflict in The Great Gatsby

1. The American Dream

In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is the idea that anyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work. Gatsby, a poor boy who becomes rich, believes that money and success will help him win back Daisy. However, the novel shows that this dream is often an illusion. Gatsby’s dream of love and happiness remains out of reach, proving that wealth alone cannot guarantee success or fulfillment. The book suggests that the American Dream has become corrupted by greed and materialism, making it impossible for many to achieve true happiness.

2. Class Conflict

The novel highlights the deep divide between different social classes. The wealthy characters are divided into two groups: "old money" (like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who were born rich) and "new money" (like Gatsby, who recently earned his fortune). The old-money class looks down on the new-rich, seeing them as unrefined. Meanwhile, the poor, like those living in the Valley of Ashes, are stuck in hardship with no real chance of moving up in society. This class struggle shows that wealth and status determine power, and not everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Conclusion :

Through Gatsby’s story, the novel reveals the flaws in the American Dream and the unfair divisions of social class. It shows that wealth does not always bring happiness and that society favors those who are already rich, making it hard for others to truly rise.

Thank You !