Resumo de The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby is a novel used in many classrooms to offer an idealization of the meaning of the "American Dream" during the era known as the "Roaring Twenties". In this novel, Fitzgerald shows the recklessness of the worth of money and relationships.

Through a narrator, Nick Carraway, who is witness to all that unwinds, Fitzgerald presents a character, Jay Gatsby, who has come by wealth in a means not disclosed to the reader, however assumed to be through some form of corruption such as bootlegging. Gatsby is in love with Daisy Buchanan who is married to Tom Buchanan, a man of substantial family wealth. Gatsby's love for Daisy stems from an earlier meeting when the two fell romantically in love. However, Gatsby had to serve his country overseas, leaving Daisy behind. When Gatsby returns he finds that Daisy is married to Tom whose wealth was attractive to her.

As the novel unwinds we learn that money does not buy happiness for either party. Daisy's husband is cheating on her with a floozy, Myrtle Wilson, from the impoverished part of town. Daisy is well aware of Tom's adulterous lifestyle and is tempted by Gatsby's charm. However Daisy's weak spirit keeps her with Tom. In a twisted ending, Tom's mistress, Myrtle is run over by Daisy, Tom lead's Myrtle's husband George to believe that Gatsby killed her, and Gatsby is shot dead by George.

Throughout the novel Gatsby throws many parties to draw attention to his wealth. It is clear that Gatsby does not throw these parties for the social aspect, but rather to impress Daisy with his earned wealth. He is often presented throughout these scenes in a location separate from the party-goers. The party-goers are not interested in who is hosting the party and some in attendance do not even know Gatsby. This demonstrates the recklessness of the era. Money was spent frivolously and people celebrated freely. This was a time of feeling safe and secure. The economy was great and the country seemed secure and well off.

Fitzgerald's intention was to show the irony of a time that seemed so well-to-do. We discover, through the eyes and actions of his narrator, the truth behind this celebratory and wealthy lifestyle. Nick discovers that although the marriage between Tom and Daisy looks great on the outside, it is something else on the inside. Nick also discovers that Jay Gatsby has spent years of his life trying to impress Daisy, wanting to buy her love with his fraudulent wealth. Although Jay Gatsby presents himself in a very well kept manner and appears wealthy, he is a complete fraud who is unable to buy his happiness with Daisy. The ultimate sacrifice made in Gatsby's attempt to acquire Daisy's love is his death which ironically was a scheme in itself. Once again, real weath, that which is not based on illegal operations, comes out on top in this novel. Ultimately Daisy who has sacrificed her life for wealth, once again ends up in the arms of Tom Buchanan. In Fitzgerald's final comment about an era plagued with selfish and heartless people, Nick is unable to get anyone, other than Jay Gatz, Gatsby's father, to attend his funeral.

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