Character Development In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Character development is one of the main components of a story, and it can be disconcerting when a movie adaptation changes a character’s development drastically. Luhrmann did a wonderful job of keeping Gatsby’s character development the same, while illustrating his obsession with Daisy. However, Redford was a terrible actor to begin with making Gatsby appear almost angry with Daisy in the 1974 adaptation. In the novel, Gatsby is very concerned with becoming rich while receiving Daisy’s attention. This drives him to obsession, which forces him to push people away, and become manic with desire. Gatsby is so obsessed with Daisy’s love that he is willing to cover up Myrtle’s murder for her protection. Gatsby’s odd mannerisms lead Nick to him, eventually forming a friendship between them. …show more content…

Luhrmann changes Nick into a mentally unstable man, who lives in a psychiatric hospital at the beginning of the film. A doctor hands Nick a journal and tells him to write about this mysterious Mr. Gatsby, because the doctor does not believe Gatsby existed. The story is still told from Nick’s point of view, but viewers are under the influence that Gatsby drove Nick to insanity. This undermines Nick’s role in the story, leading audiences to believe that he is weak. Possibly, Luhrmann wanted to use Nick as a statement; one in which alcoholism, money, and parties corrupt individuals. Clayton does the polar opposite of Luhrmann by making Nick a simple minded man, who is enthralled by Gatsby and follows him around like a puppy. Nick in fact, is an educated man who sees the world through a pessimistic view. Gatsby represents everything Nick hates about the 1920s. Carraway also entertains a relationship with Jordan Baker in the novel, which both movie adaptations cut

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