Whatever people read for-for pleasure, for school, to pass time-The Great Gatsby is sure to impress any type of reader. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald creates an eye-catching masterpiece through his story of the supposedly self-made man, Jay Gatsby, and his slow, but devastating downfall. Fitzgerald’s inclusion of a variety of different characters leads the reader to speculate as to why. Here we catch up with the man behind the book to answer your most frequently asked questions.
-Why did you have Nick suddenly become Gatsby’s closest friend by the end of the book?
Fitzgerald: I felt that Nick had developed a substantial relationship with Jay throughout the story, even though Nick doubted Jay’s background. Nick was the only person Gatsby had left in his life as Daisy and everyone else left him. The fabulous illusion had not completely deceived Nick, but it had tricked everyone else. I had Nick handle his funeral to show that all of Gatsby’s previous friends were just acquaintances due to his vast wealth. I wanted to show how easily people are motivated by money, but not Nick, as he never involved himself with Gatsby’s business affairs.
-Do you believe that all people are fooled by wealth?
Fitzgerald: I believe that the vast majority of people are blinded by the glamor of living a lavish lifestyle. Gatsby’s rich parties demonstrate the large number of people who are willing to sell themselves out for power and social rank. People inherently want to live large, but wealth isn’t everything as Gatsby’s entire future crumbles in a short time.
-What do you want people to take away most from reading your book?
Fitzgerald: I want people to walk away from reading my book with a new perspective on wealth. The world should not be controlled by the seemingly rich or powerful, for everyone
-People argue that your book provides only a negative view of the world. What do you say to that?
Fitzgerald: Some readers are too quick to ignore the subtle details of the story that depict a full picture of the world. Characters like Tom and Mrs. Wilson blatantly represent the corrupt, selfish nature of much of society, but Nick resembles the wholesome ingenuity of the few good people there are. People are more likely to abandon their morals in large numbers, but Nick’s distance from the rest of the characters brings out the untouched honesty and compassion people feel for each other. Though Gatsby lied and immorally represented himself, Nick still demonstrated the positivity of human nature when one is allowed to think for oneself.
The Man Behind The Book