Book freaks discussion

Hey guys! This is the discussion thread from the April-May 2013 read, THE GREAT GATSBY by F.Scott Fitzgerald! Feel free to jump in with any thoughts and/or feelings about the book, even if you've read it already!

I can't believe they are making this book into a movie yet again. As a substitute teacher, I've often shown the Robert Redford movie. The scene where Gatsby is throwing shirts around the room while Daisy hugs them, crying, always makes the kids laugh at its sheer ridiculousness. But there's so little action they dislike the rest of the movie.

Whatever you might think of the book, you have to agree that not much happens, action-wise. There is a lot hinted at, or insinuated, but not shown. Not very cinematic.

Fiona wrote: "I can't believe they are making this book into a movie yet again. As a substitute teacher, I've often shown the Robert Redford movie. The scene where Gatsby is throwing shirts around the room whi..."

Yes! I'm really surprised that they're making it into a movie again! The Robert Redford version is HORRENDOUS, I've been down that road. I think this book is a lot many books of the period, where the actual action of the novel is limited. Instead the writer forces you to focus on the deeper themes or appreciate the sheer beauty of their syntax. I know the first time I read Gatsby I was just blown away by the deep pools of metaphor, motif and symbolism :)

When you are attempting to both capture and vilify an entire class of people, you have to do it delicately. Especially if you want so badly to be accepted by them. I agree the book is a masterpiece of writing.

Fiona wrote: "When you are attempting to both capture and vilify an entire class of people, you have to do it delicately. Especially if you want so badly to be accepted by them. I agree the book is a masterpiec..."

Haha I couldn't have put it any better! Fitzgerald himself, and Nick, the main character, both kind of represent outsiders hiding their sense of loneliness and alienation, behind a facade of biting wit and social commentary :)

I am waiting with my kindle copy.. :)

I've started re-reading this book and am about halfway through. It's as amazing as I remember it being.

Question: (view spoiler)[when Daisy describes her reaction to learning she had a girl, her first words were something along the lines of "the best thing a girl can be in this world is a beautiful fool". Immediately Nick says that he sees through the insincerity of her remarks.

I'm not sure I follow. Does Daisy think it's best for girls to NOT be beautiful fools, i.e. it's good for them to be smart and aware? I didn't think that would be a very Daisy-like thought. It seems to me that Daisy herself would've liked to have been a fool - that it might've saved her some pain. (hide spoiler)]

Thoughts?

I've always been very confused by that line as well. I however interpret the insincerity in this way. I believe that nick thinks Daisy is insincere because in her heart Daisy knows that in the time she is living in, it's a mans world, and even if the little girl is a beautiful little fool, she will still have a hard time of it, simply because she is a woman

That makes sense, Gorfo. Maybe it's showing that Daisy wishes she were a man.

BTW, is this not the best delayed introduction of a major character or what? I loved it. The only other delayed intro of a major character that can compare is Maureen's entrance in the musical RENT.

Yes this really was a delayed entrance! I loved Maureen in rent! Tango Maureen left me on tenterhooks....just bubbling with anticipation, waiting for her to appear, and cyberland & take me or leave me are some of the best as well. I think perhaps that Daisy's absence in the beginning can also be paralleled with Margo Roth Spiegalmans absence throughout the majority of "Paper Towns", by John Green

Well, this one I really liked!!
Enjoy it guys..

I agree with Gorfo, I believe she is saying that the little girl is going to have a bit of a disappointing and limited life. She won't be expected to amount to anything but being pretty. You could also look at the opposite of that, what happens if she isn't conventional pretty? Then what would become of her?

^_^ I got no idea, as to what you guys are talking about.. but i guess, soon i'll...

:)

About halfway through the book, Fitzgerald says something like: Americans will sometimes deign to be a serf, but would never accept being called a peasant. In the very next paragraph, Nick is staring at Gatsby's mansion and witnessing a maid staring out of a window, and absentmindedly spits into the garden.

I thought this was curious, so I looked up serf and peasant to see if I could get a clearer understanding:

serf (sûrf)
n.
1. A member of the lowest feudal class, attached to the land owned by a lord and required to perform labor in return for certain legal or customary rights.
2. An agricultural laborer under various similar systems, especially in 18th- and 19th-century Russia and eastern Europe.
3. A person in bondage or servitude.

peas·ant (pznt)
n.
1. A member of the class constituted by small farmers and tenants, sharecroppers, and laborers on the land where they form the main labor force in agriculture.
2. A country person; a rustic.
3. An uncouth, crude, or ill-bred person; a boor.

That's hilarious! And true of Americans, I think.

I am not very used to such heavy language... only two pages in..

I really hope I'll be able to keep up with the book... ;)

While you are reading, remember that Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda wanted so badly to BE a part of the rich, "in-crowd", that they would beg to be invited to parties, and agree to do ridiculous things to be allowed to stay, like crawl on all fours and bark like dogs, wearing a leash. So in this book he's attempting to show how shallow rich folks are, how they destroy the lives of everyone around them and never give it a second thought because all they care about is themselves.

I didn't know that about them, Fiona. How degrading and depressing. I'll keep that perspective in mind as I continue.

So, I guess Daisy represents money. She's always glittering - like when she steps out of Gatsby's house and the sun shines off of her brass buttons. This theory was confirmed with the line "Her voice is full of money".

Yes, Daisy is the ultimate "careless" rich person. She has no idea how other people live, nor does she care. And if her actions hurt anyone, then that's their problem, right?

Well, yes, but what I meant was that Daisy actually represents money itself, not just people who have money. Watch he descriptions of her - she literally glitters!

To Gatsby she represents "the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow". She is the penultimate for him. If he can have her, he can die happy knowing he achieved his life's goal.

Fiona wrote: "Yes, Daisy is the ultimate "careless" rich person."

Jessica wrote: "So, I guess Daisy represents money. s. This theory was confirmed with the line "Her voi..."

There's also the scene when Gatsby and Daisy are reunited for the first time. If you read read the passage carefully you'll notice that everything in the is yellow and golden, like daisy, and money.

You guys are so right! Daisy & Tom exemplify the stereotypical rich people (view spoiler)[ at the end of the novel they continue on their destructive path (hide spoiler)] while the others are left to pick up the pieces of their shipwrecked lives!

However, while reading this book I also felt like Fitzgerald was making a pretty harsh criticism of the nouveau riche as well. Although he and Zelda didn't belong to the wealthy upper class, Fitzgerald was nevertheless old money (although the money was gone), which exempted him from acceptance as party of nouveau riche as well!

Yesterday, I went to the cinema to see ''Jack the giant slayer'' which by the way I didn't really care for, although it looked promising and anyway I saw the trailer of The Great Gatsby and I think it will be really good. I very much liked the book and I think the film will be a good representation...I guess, we'll wait and see..

AnaΣtaΣia wrote: "Yesterday, I went to the cinema to see ''Jack the giant slayer'' which by the way I didn't really care for, although it looked promising and anyway I saw the trailer of The Great Gatsby and I thin..."

I agree! feel like there are so many ways you can go wrong with such a novel that's not necessarily so much driven by plot but rather by style and symbolism, but I also have hope this version might finally be a GOOD version of Gatsby. I mean Leonardo Di Caprio is playing Gatsby!.... if you saw him in Django or What's Eating Gilbert Grape or Shutter Island, you know that he is an amazing actor :)

Gorfo wrote: "AnaΣtaΣia wrote: "Yesterday, I went to the cinema to see ''Jack the giant slayer'' which by the way I didn't really care for, although it looked promising and anyway I saw the trailer of The Great..."

Leonardo Di Caprio is one of the most wronged actors in Hollywood in my point of view. He and Johnny Depp are not only the best actors of their age but they have also made the smartest moves and selections of films. They are both unique at what they do and so far I haven't seen a film they participate in and say that I didn't like their acting...They are both so wronged be the ''Academy'' that I often think (even if I like the concept) that the Oscar ceremony is just another fiasco..

AnaΣtaΣia wrote: "Gorfo wrote: "AnaΣtaΣia wrote: "Yesterday, I went to the cinema to see ''Jack the giant slayer'' which by the way I didn't really care for, although it looked promising and anyway I saw the trailer..."

It's beyond me why neither of them has received an Oscar at this point! They're definitely two of my favorites along with Jim Carrey & Colin Firth :)

Colin Firth huh?? How Proud and Prejudiced of you!!! ;) :p He was absolutely fabulous in ''a single man'' that's where he deserved the Oscar in my opinion.
As for Carrey, he's a good comedian but I can never get over The Truman show...He was great!

AnaΣtaΣia wrote: "Colin Firth huh?? How Proud and Prejudiced of you!!! ;) :p He was absolutely fabulous in ''a single man'' that's where he deserved the Oscar in my opinion.
As for Carrey, he's a good comedian but I..."

Oh my gosh A SINGLE MAN....I can't even count the number of times I've watched that movie :P & he was so debonair as Darcy!!! Hahah Jim Carey was terrific in the Truman Show, I also absolutely adore him in Yes Man!

To me, one of the most interesting ways to view the book is by comparing it to Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography and Huckleberry Finn. The three together offer an interesting commentary on the American dream or the self-made man. . . . . I'm trying to think of what the next "installment" in such a series might be.

As for the movie, I think the trailers do look cinematic at least as far as showing the excess of the period and the contrasts. I like the use of the green light in one of them.

I really loved the use of the green light in the preview because I feel like sometimes although its definitely one f the most powerful pieces of symbolism a solitary green light may become an afterthought in a chaotic amalgamation of end of days parties!!!

Read this a year ago and I didn't like it. Nick Carraway's narration made it all detached and lousy. Could have worked out better if it has a stronger narrator. Also, I think the characters are unlikable.

All of the characters are definitely unlikable, but I think that that directly mirrors Fitzgerald's contempt for the excessive society of the rich & the people who want to desperately break into the company of their society :)

Re: Elizabeth wondering what the "next installment" would be of the continuing evolution of the American Dream...perhaps the book "written" by Snookie? To show that talent and skill is no longer a requirement for fame and fortune?

Fiona wrote: "Re: Elizabeth wondering what the "next installment" would be of the continuing evolution of the American Dream...perhaps the book "written" by Snookie? To show that talent and skill is no longer a..."

Fiona, don't even get me started on the deterioration of our culture or the joke the music, tv and in many cases film industry has become. Musicians no longer play their instruments or have any skills at all because autotune has run rampant. I would actually prefer to watch a gladiator match than to watch the pitfall of human stupidity which is "reality" TV. Now-a-days you just have to be loud, obnoxious, and have pride in your lack of substance in order to be famous. Are these the traits society should value? But then when you think about it, bringing this back to Gatsby... aren't these the traits society has ALWAYS valued?

Yes, I fear you are right, Gorfo. And also, Andy Warhol was even more prescient than he was given credit for when he predicted that in the future, everyone would be famous for 15 minutes. Unfortunately for us, some over-stay their time, and that 15 minutes drags on for WAY too long!

By-the-by, I watched a trailer for the new movie. Since I just re-read the book while subbing in a class reading it, I was amused that the scenes in the trailer made it look a whole lot more exciting and action-packed than the book is! But then, movies always change things, sometimes to the point where even in the credits they have to say "Based on a story by..." because it bears little resemblance to the manuscript it came from.

The Great Gatsby has been on my top favorites list for years! I'm excited for a new glamorous movie to draw attention to the book.

Ricci wrote: "The Great Gatsby has been on my top favorites list for years! I'm excited for a new glamorous movie to draw attention to the book."

Fiona wrote: "Yes, I fear you are right, Gorfo. And also, Andy Warhol was even more prescient than he was given credit for when he predicted that in the future, everyone would be famous for 15 minutes. Unfortu..."

I feel like with Gatsby I'm perfectly fine with them taking excessive liberties in order to make the whole storyline just a wee bit exciting! I also feel like there are parts that we might say "hey that wasn't in the book" but I mean can we really memorize every moment of detail in that novel? The book positively gushes detail and extravagance, and this really simultaneously, makes it hard and easy to adapt into a film version!

Once again, I think I missed a great chance to read a good classic...


Gods help my poor soul! ;) [no pun intended]

Haha I see what you did there! Gatsby is a must read though, you should try reading it at another time! You can get it rather cheaply...my extremely battered and loved copy was handed down to me, but I've seen some on half.com or ebay or amazon for like 99 cents. At that point you're basically just paying for shipping! :)

I already own a copy on my kindle, but I think I'll be reading It at some distant date..

But yeah, I don't want to miss it again by any chance.. so Next time I'll make sure to give my full to reading it :)

Hahaha that book is all about timing really. You have to be feeling restless but have a lot of time on your hands. And you cant take it tooooo seriously (but that's just my opinion)! I'm extremely excited for the Gatsby premiere and my friends and I are dressing as flappers for it :)

Sounds fun :D

1920's back again! ;) don't forget to click some classy retro pics... :) and Enjoy!

Flappers???really???oh that would be so goooood!!Post a picture or two, will you? :)

Hahaha I definitely will try to! Do you guys have any cool Gatsby plans?!

I'm waiting for my BFF to return from his vacation and then we'll hit the road towards Gatsby!

The novella by F Scott Fitzgerald is a beautifully crafted story. My favorite movie was the Alan Ladd version. I will see the new one, although I expect it will be quite different and probably not to my taste.

Maggi wrote: "The novella by F Scott Fitzgerald is a beautifully crafted story. My favorite movie was the Alan Ladd version. I will see the new one, although I expect it will be quite different and probably not ..."

The new movie was gaudy and overdone. The use of CGI and the mixing of modern rap with the elegance of Gatbsy just didn't work for me. However, that being said the acting was simply brilliant and I've never felt a truer and more real Gatsby. They I also (in my opinion) seemed to follow the book pretty well. Nevertheless, it was still a great experience, & I loved seeing it dressed up as a flapper with the friends. Little kids even asked to take pictures with us! In short, I don't regret it :)

I think the movie was a great adaptation although I do agree that the use of CGI was a bit much. I didn't mind the mixing of modern rap though. Leo was actually the best Gatsby ever.

I finally went to the cinema to see Mr. Gatsby!!
I will have to agree with Gorfo about the music (the rap part, although I like it in general, I can't associate it to this era) but otherwise I really liked it!! DiCaprio was once more SUPERB!!I loved the direction and photography!
All in all I enjoyed it a lot and I recommend it to those who haven't seen it yet!!

I'm pretty much ready to start a Leo fan club at this point!