Juxtaposition Of Appearance And Reality In The Great Gatsby

Do you ever sit in English class and think: Why am I reading a book that was written 100 years ago? By reading texts from different cultures and eras, we get a better understanding of others' experiences, which enlightens our hearts and minds. Specifically, in Fitzgerald’s brilliant novel, The Great Gatsby, we obtain valuable life lessons that will be reflected in society forever. is just as relevant now, as it was in 1925. It is studied in society today because it is a cautionary tale with everlasting relevant themes about the dangers of the American Dream, the juxtaposition of appearance and reality, and the complexity of human relationships. The juxtaposition of appearance and reality is another theme that is timelessly relevant to The Great

By only looking at their expensive clothes and the loud parties they attend, you would never assume they have any struggles, but this novel brings awareness that tragedies do not target a social class. The Danger of the American Dream is a cautionary tale that is crucial for all students to understand. One part of the American Dream is to have the opportunity to achieve any endeavor you strive for, however, if this idea is abused, it could be detrimental to society. For example, Gatsby put all of his energy into Daisy as he “revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from [Daisy]” (91). He based his entire summer on Daisy in an attempt to rekindle the love they once shared. This displays how Gatsby blindly chased after his glamorized dream of reuniting with Daisy. He even believed that she would drop the life she had constructed over the past five years to be with him, disregarding that she had continued living her life after he left. When Nick informs Gatsby that he cannot force the past to become the present, Gatsby says, “Can’t repeat the

Both of these factors show that Myrtle is chasing a dream that will never be achieved by the approach she is taking. Myrtle’s dress being cream-colored shows how she is always going to be slightly isolated from the true elegant lifestyle. Daisy is portrayed as the color white showing her true classiness and cleanliness, opposing Myrtle's off-white dress. Additionally, from the inside of the party, Myrle might feel as though she is accomplishing her dream, but the truth is that the party is still being hosted in a small apartment rather than a mansion on the East Egg. Nick’s repetition of “small” in the description of the apartment acts as a reminder to us that Myrtle is never going to be as glamorous or extravagant as Daisy, no matter how hard she tries. She blindly makes adjustments to herself only to reach a subjective status and be accepted by others. This is especially important for kids today to learn about in school, as many of my peers put enormous weight into what other people think about them, rather than what they think about