'As we guested on Gatsby’s corruption, he hid from us his incorruptible dream.'
Gatsby loved Daisy but she had married Tom. Gatsby and Daisy met when he was an officer
in the army, but then he went travelling in Europe and Daisy met Tom, the
product of old family wealth. In post-first world war New York, the shimmering mirage of 1920s decadence, Gatsby
rose to riches through dubious means and fame through his endless parties,
whilst all the time harbouring a dream of going back in time to when he and
Daisy loved each other. Gatsby was
ultimately defeated by the established order, Tom’s family and friends, with 'their money and their vast carelessness', and he died alone.
His enormous hope was ultimately beaten by vested interest, as he failed to regain Daisy’s love. His friend, the narrator and author, ends with reflection on how we live in the shadow of the past.
His enormous hope was ultimately beaten by vested interest, as he failed to regain Daisy’s love. His friend, the narrator and author, ends with reflection on how we live in the shadow of the past.