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Thomas C. Foster in his work How to Read Literature Like a Professor argues that even though characters may display evil characteristics, their religious values overpower and express “themselves in connection with the [character’s] role within society” (Foster 125). Literary characters may display some of the same characteristics as Christ while accomplishing actions with “redemption, hope, or miracle” (132). Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby symbolically resembles a Christ figure—sacrificing himself to save Daisy from the law, outstretching his arms towards hope, and coming to West Egg to retrieve Daisy’s unworthy world. Like Christ Gatsby spends his life transforming himself and saving those with whom he comes into contact,
Nearly everyone is familiar with the character of Christ. While understandings of Christ as a figure of faith may vary, he is universally recognized as a historical figure. The world knows that Christ was called “Son of God,” he called people to love, and he died a painful death on the cross. He has become such an important figure that images of him show up frequently in literature. Thomas Foster, author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor, outlines a wide range of characteristics common in Christ-like figures. In his list of descriptors, Foster suggests characters might be Christ figures if they have wounds reminiscent of the crucifixion, suffer in agony, or are self-sacrificing—and this is only the beginning of his list (126). Readers repeatedly identify Christ figures in literature, both because of the well-known characteristics Foster describes in his chapter on Christ figures and because readers find them through their own understandings. In Yu Hua’s
14. Many stories throughout American and European works include some sort of religion or Christ. Some characteristics of a Christ figure are; good with children, crucified, very forgiving and many more. A Christ figure can deepen the feelings with the reader especially if the story has hope or miracles.
A magnitude of literary work will portray a Christ-like figure within, “This may surprise some of you, but we live in a Christian culture” (Foster 124). We may not always have blunt and obvious signs of the portrayal of Christ, but they are there. For instance, Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are both great representations of a Christ-like figure on the grounds of resurrection.
In order to understand the religious imagery in The Great Gatsby, one must first understand Fitzgerald's own ideas on religion. Fitzgerald was a troubled man much of his life, and was a victim of psychological and emotional turmoil. Fitzgerald's friend, John Peale Bishop once remarked he had "the rare faculty...
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby around the 1920s. During the time period of the 1920s, it was considered the “Jazz Age”. This time period dealt with the issue of prohibition, many people attended parties and clubs. Religion did not affect the 1920s social dance very much. During the 1920s people had a sense of freedom, and were not bound by what their religion guided. Many people like flappers went against the standard and did not listen or go by the rule. Written during the Jazz Age period, Fitzgerald wrote the novel The Great Gatsby, and ironically, it is one that explores the concept of an omnipresent God which readers can guess come from the author’s knowledge of catholicism and christianity.
out towards a green light. At the time it is not revealed to us that this
Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby - Symbolism and the Truth That Lies Between
One of the traits of Gatsby that makes him truly great is his remarkable capacity for hope. He has faith that what he desires will come to him if he works hard enough. He does not comprehend the cruelty and danger that is the rest of the world. Gatsby, while a man of questionable morals, is as wide-eyed and innocent as a small child in his views of the world. These ideals are evident in Nick’s narration and in the words spoken by the other characters, including Gatsby himself.
The characters live unethical lives; they drink, party, cheat, and even murder. Yet, there is a sense that throughout the whole book, someone or thing is always watching and is aware of their sins. When tragedy occurs in the end, the characters finally seek solace in religion. Despite the fact that the characters in The Great Gatsby live their lives immorally, a God-like figure is always watching and there is an idea that Wilson and Nick should turn to religion after the deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby.
The novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, provides the reader with a character that possesses qualities both challenging to understand and difficult to endorse. These characteristics show themselves through the character’s desire and passion to pursue his dream. Jay Gatsby, an elusive, persuasive, and sometimes deceptive man displays such contrast in his moral foundation that leaves the reader questioning his true motives at nearly every action. There is an argument to be made that Gatsby is both great and not so great, making him the epitome of moral ambiguity. For example, Nick, another major character, who happens to be the narrator of the story, first describes Gatsby in the opening chapter of the novel as someone who he both
In the famous great American novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main character Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a romantic hero, hopeful dreamer, and as someone who is completely unforgettable. What makes Gatsby so great was not his wealth, position in society or his personal belongings, but his determination to make something of himself during a time in which moral corruptions were common. Jay Gatsby’s personal greatness was exemplified in his struggle against his own fate, devoted love towards Daisy, and self sacrifice.
Starting at a young age Gatsby strives to become someone of wealth and power, leading him to create a façade of success built by lies in order to reach his unrealistic dream. The way Gatsby’s perceives himself is made clear as Nick explains: “The truth was Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God… he must be about His Father’s business, the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty” (Fitzgerald 98). From the beginning Gatsby puts himself beside God, believing he is capable of achieving the impossible and being what he sees as great. Gatsby blinds himself of reality by idolizing this valueless way of life, ultimately guiding him to a corrupt lifestyle. While driving, Nick observes Gatsby curiously: “He hurried the phrase ‘educated at Oxford,’ or swallowed it, or choked on it, as though it had bothered him before. And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces…” (Fitzgerald 65). To fulfill his aspirations Gatsby desires to be seen an admirable and affluent man in society wh...
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the story of a world lost to superficiality and greed. Falsehood and deception are the currency which fuels the characters in the novel. Dwelling in this fallen world, Fitzgerald has placed a fallen god. Gatsby is bathed in descriptions that identify him as the Son of God. Fitzgerald makes a conscious effort to clothe this character with imagery and actions to make him the patron deity of this fallen world, but Gatsby is too much enveloped by his surroundings to save them and is consumed in the attempt. Despite the biblical allusions, strong images and explicit statements identifying Gatsby with Christ, the prevailing tone of the novel prevents him from being a Christ-figure.
In conclusion, Francis Scott Fitzgerald lived a very colorful life and, in the end, a very disastrous one, which was in result of his own making. Fitzgerald inserted these experiences into his work, The Great Gatsby is an example where he infuses these experiences into the characters in the novel with a depth of his own feelings. As a result, from reflecting his personal experiences into the novel, Nick Carraway and Gatsby, Fitzgerald teaches a lesson: The spoils of the good life can spoil a good man if allowed it.
By taking a closer look at Gatsby, it is clear that there is a connection between him and Jesus. From a young age, Gatsby tended to be an outcast among those living in his area. He was constantly striving to be greater than just a farmer. He wanted a luxurious life, and he was not going to settle. Looking back, his father started recognizing the ambitious traits his son had. He told Nick, “Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some great resolves like this or something” (Fitzgerald 182). James Gatz did not want to be like the other people living in his area. Similarly, Jesus was also very different from anyone else that had walked the earth. According to the Bible, Jesus was a saint living among sinners. He did not fall into the temptations as everyone else was doing. Instead of giving in to the terrible things that were happening around him, he became an example how to