Conclusion

At Gatsby's funeral, we find out that Gatsby had literally no one in his life. The only people at his funeral were his former servants, owl eyes, his father, and Nick. What a shame. You can't help but feel bad for the guy because he became obsessed with a girl that in reality he couldn't of ever had, and in the end, died not knowing the relationship he'd still have with her. I wonder how different the ending would have been if Gatsby was not murdered. But overall I liked the way Fitzgerald wrote his story. It was written in a way that kept me wanting to read more and more at the end of each chapter, and I think others will agree with that statement. It's very interesting how we were introduced to Gatsby in the beginning. How we know almost very little about him and who he is, and how as we continue reading the book, we learn more and more about him and change our thoughts on his personality. So to be honest with you it was a good read, and I would highly recommend to keep on reading it. I feel like blogging about was a great idea, in that it helped me to analyze and think more in depth about each chapter, (even though I was a tad bit late on blogging each chapter itself). I feel like if I did a blog for each book I'd enjoy it more like I did with this.

Innocent, but Not Innocent?

Poor Gatsby. All he ever wanted was the love of Daisy, and it's a shame that he had it, but since she wasn't ready to put forth the effort into it, he ended up getting hurt in the end...and by hurt...I mean killed. Did Gatsby deserve such a brutal death? Think about what Tom said... He said Gatsby had it coming for him, but was Gatsby innocent? Maybe not, but in no way did he deserve to die. Gatsby wasn't a perfect man, and we can argue that he wasn't a mentally stable man either, but was he innocent, that's the question. At that time, Prohibition was taking place, so the dealing and selling of alcohol (bootlegging) was against the law. People back then loved to drink and have a good time, so most of the wealth high class folks of East Egg knew all about Gatsby and his involvement in the bootlegging industry, but didn't bother turning him in since he always threw parties and really had no problems with anybody, so why have him behind bars? I doubt that was the only illegal business Gatsby was a part of, but unfortunately, Fitzgerald does not mention anything else about Gatsby's behind-the-scenes life. Something else to think about while talking about Gatsby's innocence is was his affair with Daisy behind Tom's back considered adultery? Because as we all know, Tom was having a long term affair with Myrtle Wilson and being very unfaithful with Daisy and leaving her all the time to be with his mistress. When Tom realizes Daisy has someone else, that's when he becomes VERY selfish and starts investigating and calls out Gatsby when they all meet together. All of them were guilty of it; Myrtle was unfaithful to George Wilson, Tom was unfaithful to Daisy, and vice versa with Daisy being unfaithful to Tom with Gatsby. Poor Nick is the lonely bystander with Jordan Baker just onlooking, but unfortunately being caught in the middle. How awkward would that make you feel, being caught in such a multi-sided affair such as he? But thinking to myself, I fee like the way he died was in a way fitting to his personality. He died because of a classic mix up, a huge misunderstanding. A misunderstood man was never to be understood, and Fitzgerald portrayed this almost to perfection in his book.

Mysterious James Gatz

As I read along, I think to myself, "Who is the mysterious Gatsby really?" Reading thus far I've discovered many traits to this man. . . glimpses of nervousness, insanity, compassion/infatuation, genius, creepiness, desperation, and a young life full of determination. A boy born into a privilege-lacking life, James Gatz ends up owning a huge mansion with all the luxurious life that goes along with it. But does he enjoy that life? Was he seen at his parties? How did he get involved with bootlegging; the business he partakes in that acquires his wealth and prosperity. We read about his first and original love life with Daisy when they were both young. They meant the world to each other, but to Gatz, you could say that she meant a little bit more than just the world to him. What's so great about Daisy that's gone and driven him over the top for her? It says in Chapter 7 that he had it easy when it came to girls, so what's the deal with him going crazy over Daisy. There must be more to what him and Daisy had for him to be losing so much sleep and dedicating his whole life to her, wouldn't ya' think? In my opinion, if Daisy isn't as willing to be with Gatsby as much as Gatsby is willing to be with her, Gatsby should just let her go. Think about it... Daisy is a married woman, she has a child, and she's doing well since we notice how materialistic she really is. The only thing Gatsby can raise the offer with is that he truly loves her more than Tom does. So whatever is going on in Gatsby's head, obviously cannot be doing him any favors...