Differences And Similarities Between The Great Gatsby And The 1920's

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Gross believes that the novel and the 1920's connect and relate with one another. Gross explains how Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero and Nick Carraway defines heroism, he represents the realists- the common people. The novel describes the differences between idealists and realists, allowing the readers to see both sides.

The Great Gatsby and the 1920's both can relate to one another with similar characteristics and events. The novel elicits a nostalgia for an attitude. " Listening to Gatsby, Nick Carraway is reminded of an elusive rhythm, a fragment of lost words, something heard a long time ago. Listening to Nick, so are we. We are reminded of an attitude toward life that we still stubbornly hold to despite the world's refusal to confirm it. " (pg 156). Listening to Gatsby, Nick is a reminded of elusive rhythm and a fragment of lost of …show more content…

We persist in believing, despite that we live in an anti-heroic, anti-tragic age. Gatsby is the Great Gatsby because Nick thinks he is. After meeting Gatsby, Nick realizes he represents everything he has be taught to scorn, to disapprove of. Even with all of the fancy cars, and luxurious house, rumor says he is a criminal and a killer. Nick uses Gatsby as a model, he realizes that he is the pursued, pursuing, the busy, and the tired. Nick is none of those and possessed by a fear of life. Gatsby's commitment is not to a Daisy, but to a dream. Even if Daisy is corrupt, Gatsby's dream of her is not. Nick cannot be like Gatsby because he cannot choose to have a vision. Even if Nick did, he would not have the commitment. Although Nick must disapprove of Gatsby from beginning to end, he is able to see and affirm what Gatsby represents. Nick finally realizes that he becomes in earnest, the guide, the pathfinder he put himself up for when he arrived at West Egg. Gatsby is the hero we should acknowledge and affirm, but Nick is the hero we really want to

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