Rethinking The Great Gatsby: A Modern Approach to Fitzgerald’s Classic
This year, instead of having my high school sophomores take a traditional test on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, I offered them the option to produce a podcast. This shift in assessment revealed surprising insights, particularly from my more reticent students, who suddenly found their voices. One standout podcast, created by a group of four girls, featured Gabby R. referencing Fergie’s song “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” which is featured in the 2013 film adaptation of Gatsby. Gabby highlighted the prevalence of parties in the novel—both grand and intimate—and provocatively suggested that this culture of revelry ultimately leads to the tragic deaths that conclude the story.
Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel serves as a poignant commentary on modern social life, illustrating how the allure of glamour often conceals a profound emptiness. As young people prepare to embark on their college journeys, filled with parties and the pursuit of pleasure, they can glean valuable lessons from this narrative. The initial attraction to the glittering party scenes may draw them in, but as the story unfolds, both the reader and the narrator, Nick Carraway, come to realize that the excitement fades, leaving behind only the remnants of a hangover.
Initially, Nick is captivated by the vibrant life of New York City. Coming from the Midwest, he arrives with aspirations and rents a modest bungalow in West Egg. His cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, reside in the more affluent East Egg, where the luxurious setting is juxtaposed with underlying tensions. Nick is enchanted by Daisy’s voice and intrigued by his enigmatic neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who throws the most extravagant parties. Yet, he also feels a simultaneous enchantment and repulsion toward the dizzying variety of life around him.
Fitzgerald, much like Nick, critiques the fast-paced celebrity lifestyle of the 1920s as ultimately hollow. He seems to predict the instant gratification culture of the 21st century, where the flickering lights of social media replace genuine human connection. Nick’s arrival in New York mirrors Fitzgerald’s own experience, as both men revel in the excitement of city life while grappling with a haunting loneliness. This sense of isolation is not limited to young clerks; it resonates with anyone caught in the whirlwind of modern existence.
The parallels between Fitzgerald’s world and today’s society are striking. Young people are bombarded with short, flashy content on their screens, leading them to believe that the lives of the rich and famous are the epitome of success. For many, happiness is equated with hedonism and the curated fun showcased on social media. Life becomes a performance, moving at a breakneck pace, much like the partygoers in Gatsby.
In the early chapters of the novel, Nick attends three distinct parties, each revealing different facets of the social landscape. The first is an intimate dinner at Tom and Daisy’s estate, where the veneer of sophistication quickly crumbles. Despite the candlelight and roses, Nick feels out of place as Tom’s domineering presence disrupts the evening. Daisy oscillates between lighthearted banter and deep vulnerability, exposing the discord beneath their seemingly perfect lives. The night leaves Nick unsettled, especially when he glimpses Gatsby reaching out toward the green light across the bay—a symbol of unattainable dreams.
The second party, hosted by Tom in a cramped Manhattan apartment, spirals into chaos. Here, Nick becomes a passive observer of the debauchery that unfolds. As he grows increasingly intoxicated, he witnesses the unraveling of relationships and the brutality that lies beneath the surface. Tom’s violent outburst against Myrtle serves as a stark reminder of the darker side of their indulgent lifestyle.
The third party at Gatsby’s mansion is a spectacle of excess, filled with inebriated guests and chaotic scenes. Nick’s observations reveal a world where the pursuit of pleasure leads to disillusionment. In a Homeric catalogue, he recalls the partygoers, many of whom meet tragic fates, underscoring the emptiness that follows their youthful revelry.
As young adults navigate the party culture prevalent on college campuses today, they must cultivate resilience. Statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism highlight the dangers of this lifestyle, with thousands of college students facing alcohol-related incidents each year. Furthermore, studies indicate that a significant percentage of students raised in faith abandon their beliefs during college, as the prevailing culture often contradicts a values-based lifestyle.
Yet, amidst this backdrop of moral ambiguity, there is a glimmer of hope. Recent reports indicate a resurgence of interest in faith among young adults seeking stability in an unstable world. Many are turning to tradition and community, craving something grounded in a society that often feels superficial.
In the novel’s final pages, Nick is left to confront the aftermath of the parties. The tragic deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby, coupled with the Buchanans’ flight from scandal, leave him grappling with the moral decay surrounding him. He yearns for a world that recognizes the illusion of glamour, realizing that the seductive green light is merely a distant beacon.
As we navigate our own “Roaring 20s,” it is essential for young adults to recognize the façade of superficiality before it leads to destruction. Like Nick, they may find clarity amid the chaos, allowing them to seek deeper connections and meaningful lives beyond the glittering surface.
