Great Gatsby Dialectical Journal

The New York Times article, Editorial Observer; Jay Gatsby, Dreamer, Criminal, Jazz Age Rogue, Is a Man for Our Times, highlights the actions of characters such as Jay Gatsby, Atticus Finch, and Holden Caulfield to the 21st Century. The article discusses how all three characters were listed by Book magazine to be names the Top 100 fictional characters since 1900. The character, Gatsby, was selected because of his trait to be the “cynical idealist, who embodies America in all of its messy glory.” The article continues on by stating how Gatsby would relate to a current American in today’s day in age. Many believe that Gatsby would be able to survive, and thrive, in today’s age knowing what readers know of his life in the 1920s. The author begins by

This statement was found on the back of the photograph that Gatsby’s father showed to Nick after Gatsby’s passing. The back of the photograph included a schedule ranging from “Rise at 6 a.m.” to “dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling work.” The schedule shows readers how like any other American in today’s age, he is working to better himself. Like many Americans, Gatsby demonstrated how he worked his way up to his large, Long Island mansion. In today’s society, many citizens boast upon the idea of moving up social classes and improving one’s life. Gatsby changed his lifestyle to fit his ideal self. He did this by dressing lavishly, having graduated from Oxford, hosting exquisite parties, and referring to everyone with the phrase “old sport.” Gatsby would fit in today’s society by its ability to understand how evil and corrupt the world can be. This is evident by Gatsby fighting in the war in France, and when Gatsby returned home, he gained money by stealing it. This demonstrates to readers how Gatsby knew the world is corrupt, as today, the people know it by attacks of Al Qaeda, suicide bombers, shame partnerships, and other corrupt organizations promoting bad things in the