CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,

YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby
In 1!5, ". S#$tt "it%gera&d 'u(&is)ed )is master'ie#e, *T)e Great Gats(+,. T)e aut)$r
made u' a t$-n #a&&ed .est Egg, &$#ated in L$ng Is&and, and )e started t$ #reate ama%ing
#)ara#ters -it) un(e&ie/a(&e interi$r #$n0&i#ts and strugg&es.
T)e main #)ara#ter is 1a+ Gats(+ a mi&&i$naire -it) a s'e#i0i# taste 0$r e2u(eran#e and
e2tra/agan#e. 3e is /er+ mu#) in &$/e -it) 4ais+ 5u#)anan. T)e #ir#umstan#es and t)e s$#ia&
#$nte2t #$ndemn t)eir 0ee&ings 0$r ea#) $t)er, (ut t)e+ sti&& 0ind a -a+ t$ (rie0&+ e2'erien#e and
&i/e -it) 'assi$n t)eir &$/e. T)r$ug)$ut t)e st$r+, ". S#$tt "it%gera&d under&ines t)e strugg&e
-it)in Gats(+, in e/er+ -a+ '$ssi(&e and -it) regards t$ se/era& as'e#ts $0 &i0e. T)e n$/e& ends
-it) 4ais+ &ea/ing )er true &$/e t$ (e -it) )er rig)t0u& )us(and and Gats(+ 0inds )is 'ea#e in
deat).
T)e Great Gats(+, (rings u' t)emes $0 idea&ism, e2#ess, sn$((ism and de#aden#e (+
dra-ing a '$rtrait $0 t)e *R$aring T-enties, and t)e s$ #a&&ed *1a%% Age,. In man+ -a+s, t)e
n$/e& re'resents "it%gera&d6s attem't t$ #$n0r$nt )is 0ee&ings -it) regards t$ t)e 1a%% Age. 7er+
simi&ar t$ Gats(+, "it%gera&d -as dri/en (+ )is &$/e 0$r a -$man -)$ s+m($&i%ed e/er+t)ing )e
-anted, e/en i0 s)e &ed )im t$-ard e/er+t)ing )e )ated.
". S#$tt "it%gera&d8s /isits t$ L$ng Is&and8s n$rt) s)$re and )is /ast e2'erien#e attending
'arties 'r$/ided )im -it) ins'irati$n 0$r t)e #reati$n $0 The Great Gatsby's setting. T)ere are
se/era& t)e$ries as t$ -)i#) mansi$n -as t)e ins'irati$n 0$r t)is 're#ise ($$9. One '$ssi(i&it+ is
Land8s End, -)ere "it%gera&d is t)$ug)t t$ )a/e attended a 'art+ -)i&e /isiting t)e &$#ati$n.
In *T)e Great Gats(+,, ". S#$tt "it%gera&d6s m$st im'$rtant n$/e&, t)e aut)$r under&ines
t)e 0a#t t)at t)e rea&it+ -i&& a&-a+s su##eed in 0inis)ing and dem$&is)ing e/er+ dream, in#&uding
T)e Ameri#an 4ream.
T)e '&$t is sim'&e: Ni#9 Carra-a+ te&&s us t)e st$r+ $0 Gats(+ and t)e m+ster+ t)at
surr$unds t)e &u2ur+ and '$-er )e )as a##ess t$. In 0a#t, t)e enigmati# #)ara#ter is ;ust a '$$r
+$ung man, a se&0<made man t)at )as 0$ug)t 0$r getting a '$siti$n t)at -$u&d a&&$- )im rea#) )is
$n&+ true dream. A''arent&+, Gats(+ )as a##$m'&is)ed -)at )e needed: )e (ui&t )is 'r$s'erit+
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
and )e is surr$unded (+ ri#), '$-er0u& 'e$'&e. 3e is, a0ter a&&, $ne $0 t)em. 3$-e/er, a&& t)is is
a#tua&&+ su'er0i#ia& and t)e trut) &ies (eneat). Neit)er is Gats(+ a tru&+ arist$#rat, neit)er are t)e
de#ent and ri#) 0ami&ies n$(&e. T)e n$/e& de'i#ts t)e )ig) s$#iet+, -it) its (eaut+, 0a9e 'aradises,
-it) its 0ine manners, (ut a&s$ -it) its )+'$#ris+, its #a'a#it+ $0 using t)e #rue&t+, and m$st $0
a&&, its s$rdid &i/ing.
In its essen#e, t)e n$/e& &imits itse&0 t$ -)at )a''ened in t)e summer $0 1!!, 0r$m Ni#9
Carra-a+6s '$int $0 /ie-. 7eteran $0 .ar and graduate $0 Ya&e, Carra-a+ (e&$ngs t$ t)e midd&e
#&ass and g$es t$ Ne- Y$r9 -it) t)e idea $0 ma9ing a &i/ing (+ se&&ing and (u+ing g$$ds.
On#e )e gets t)ere, )e meets -it) )is #$usin 4ais+ and )er )us(and, T$m 5u#)anan.
T)ese t-$ are )a/ing a 'ea#e0u& &i/ing $0 t)e Ameri#an Ri#) 'e$'&e in t)e !=6s. T$m '&a+s '$&$.
4ais+ sim'&+ e2ists, attends t$ 'arties and s'ends )er time -it) )er 0riends. T)e+ are, a''arent&+,
a mem$r+ $0 a -$r&d t)at t)e Ameri#an 4ream is t)$ug)t t$ )a/e &e0t (e)ind.
It6s a#tua&&+ rea&&+ s)$#9ing t)at, in its tri's t$ 0ind di/ersit+ and 0un, T$m 5u#)anan g$es
t$ t)e '$$r 'arts $0 t)e #it+, 0ar a-a+ 0r$m t)e magi#a& .est Egg, t$ meet -it) t)e -i0e $0 a
me#)ani#. T)is t)ing seems t$ (e t)e $n&+ $ne rea& in a stati# and em't+ e2isten#e, t)e $n&+ t)ing
t)at gi/es T$m t)e 0ee&ing $0 tru&+ (eing a&i/e. T)e '$'u&ar #&asses are 'resented $n#e again as an
es#a'e 0$r t)e '$-er0u& 'e$'&e t)at are 0ue&ing t)emse&/es em$ti$na&&+, as -e&& as e#$n$mi#a&&+.
5ut Carra-a+ -i&& a&s$ get t$ 9n$- $t)er 'arties and )$sts. 3is neig)($r, a m+steri$us
man #a&&ed 1a+ Gats(+, $rgani%es t)e m$st e2tra/agant 'arties in Ne- Y$r9. 5+ attending t)em,
)e #$u&d meet a&& t)e ri#) and im'$rtant 'e$'&e in t)e #it+. T)e $nes 'resent at su#) a 'art+
-$u&d ta9e $/er t)e entire mansi$n, -it)$ut e/en #arr+ing a($ut meeting t)e true 0a#e $0 t)e
)$st, (eing su#9ed in (+ t)eir s$#ia& re&ati$ns, g$ssi's and a''earan#es.
In t)e meantime, Gats(+ -a&9s a&$ng )is $-n 'art+, (eing ign$red (+ e/er+$ne t)ere, in
a #$ntinu$us sear#). 3is as'e#t reminds us $0 t)e 0irst time t)at Carra-a+ des#ri(es )im, in t)e
s$&itude $0 )is )$use, rea#)ing 0$r a green &ig)t $n t)e $t)er side $0 t)e sea.
". S#$tt "it%gera&d -as >= +ears $&d -)en )e 'u(&is)ed T)e Great Gats(+, an in#redi(&e
0a#t ta9ing int$ #$nsiderati$n t)e maturit+ )e )as in a''r$a#)ing a&& as'e#ts $0 t)e narrati$n. 3is
#)ara#ters are -ise&+ (ui&t, -it) a su(t&e, '$eti#a& &anguage. T)e n$/e& des#ri(es t)e )a''iness $0
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
t)e da+s 'ast, t)e #ertaint+ t)at t)$se da+s -i&& ne/er #$me (a#9, and t)e )$'e 0$r t)e summers t$
#$me.
T)e #)$$sing $0 t)e narrat$r is a&-a+s im'$rtant, and t)e 0irst 'ers$n /$i#e $0 t)is +$ung
(an9er 0r$m Minnes$ta, dri/es t)e reader in t)e 0as#inating -$r&d $0 1a+ Gats(+ and )is r$manti#
a00air -it) 4ais+ 5u#)anan, -)i&e Carra-a+ 9ee's aside. 3e, &i9e e/er+ $t)er Ameri#an, dreams
$0 m$ne+. T)e e#$n$mi#a& #$mm$dit+ dra-s a #ertain sensiti/it+ and (eaut+. M$ne+ )as a
s'e#ia& territ$r+, in -)i#) t)e g$$d and t)e (eauti0u& #$m(ine -it) n$ 0inan#ia& &imitati$n.
In L$ng Is&and, Ni#9 0inds )imse&0 in 0r$nt $0 )is +$ut) idea&, and t)e summer 'asses (+
&i9e a dream $0 imm$rta&it+. 3e admires Gats(+ seeing in )im )is 'ure gener$sit+, t)e 'arties )e
gi/es and t)e &$/e )e )as 0$r 4ais+.
1a+ Gats(+, ($rn 1ames Gat%, re'resents t)e s$ #a&&ed Ameri#an 4ream. 3e -as ($rn in a
)um(&e 0ami&+ and (eing a /eteran $0 -ar, trium')ant and entre'reneur in -)at )e -ants t$ d$,
)e a&-a+s seems t$ (e e2#&uded (+ t)$se t)at attend )is 'arties. T)e+ a''ear t$ (e sim'&e
'arasites t)at 0eed $n )im and t)e same time t)e+ den+ )is a##ess at )is $-n s$#ia& '$siti$n.
.e s$$n understand t)at )is enri#)ment must (e (e#ause $0 )is 'arti#i'ati$n in i&&ega&
a#ti/ities, (ut a#ti/ities in -)i#) at &east t)$se in/$&/ed )a/e rea& 0ee&ings. Gats(+ is a #)ara#ter
0$r -)i#) -e )a/e t$ 0ee& s+m'at)+, )e is t)e strange man #a'tured in a -$r&d t)at ta9es
ad/antage $0 )im and t)at ne/er $'ens a&& its d$$rs 0$r )im.
Gats(+ )imse&0, e/en i0 )e seems t$ ign$re it m$st $0 t)e time, 9n$-s t)at )e is 0ig)ting
against t)e destin+ ea#) m$ment. 3is a''r$a#) t$-ards 4ais+ is dis#reet and #are0u&, in #$ntrast
-it) t)e attitude $0 T$m t$-ards )is mistress. 3is 'arties are n$t)ing (ut a #)arade, a -a+ $0
#reating a s'ider -e( in -)i#) )e )$'es t)at )is 'ra+ -i&& 0a&&.
On#e )e (e&ie/es )is $(;e#ti/e )as (een rea#)ed, $n#e )e re#$/ers a 4ais+ t)at )as $n&+
rea&&+ e2isted in t)e 'ast and n$- s)e is g$ne, e/er+t)ing st$'s t$ ma9e sense 0$r Gats(+. T)e
'arties t)at used t$ (e a &i0est+&e, t)e reas$n $0 )is e2isten#e and $0 )is guests, re/ea& t$ (e $n&+ a
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
mean t$ attra#t -)at )is )eart rea&&+ &$ngs 0$r. At t)at '$int, -)en )e de#ides t$ 'ut t)e #ards $n
t)e ta(&e and #&aim -)at )e #$nsidered it -as rig)t0u&&+ )is, t)e traged+ (egins.
Gats(+ t)in9s )e )as t)e $''$rtunit+ t$ get (a#9 t)e same -$men )e &$/ed, -)en in
rea&it+ s)e d$esn6t e2ist an+m$re. Caug)t (et-een &$/e and +$ut), t)$se -)$ sti&& #$nsume t)e
$&d 1ames Gat%, and )er &i0e as t)e -i0e $0 a ri#) )us(and, t)e #)$i#e $0 4ais+ -as mar9ed (+ t)e
s$#iet+ in -)i#) s)e -as raised. S)e -i&& n$t e/en )a/e t)e de&i#a#+ $0 sa+ing *g$$d (+e, t$ )er
&$/er (e0$re s)e and T$m m$/e $ut $0 t)e #it+, de#iding t$ #$ntinue -it) t)eir em't+ e2isten#e.
At t)e end, t)ere -i&& $n&+ (e a s$&itar+ 0unera&, -it) a 'riest, $ne 0riend and an $&d guest.
N$ $ne e&se -i&& dare t$ enter t)e Ameri#an 4ream, t$ (ur+ it under t)e gr$und and 0inis) -it)
t)e $ne t)at rea&&+ (e&ie/ed )e )ad managed t$ $/er#$me )is s$#ia& '$siti$n.
Li9e a&& t)e ($$9s t)at s'ea9 a($ut +$ut), T)e Great Gats(+ seems t$ (e t$u#)ed (+ a
magi#a& )a&$. A&& its #)ara#ters )a/e a &itt&e $/er >= +ears $&d, and t)e+ are in t)at m$ment $0
t)eir &i/es -)en t)e 'ers'e#ti/e t)e+ )ad t$-ards t)e 0uture starts t$ (e#$me rea&. T)e entire ($$9
is &+ri#a&, musi#a&, r)+t)mi# and e2#iting.
.e are in t)e 1a%% Era, a -$rd in/ented (+ "it%gera&d in su#) an ear&+ age $0 t)e 1!=6s
and t)at is -)+ -e #an #$nsider it a&m$st a 'r$')e#+. T)e -$rds m$st used in t)e ($$9 are: e+es,
aut$m$(i&e, train, (&ue, G$d, m$ne+, m$$n, r$ses, -ater, /$i#e and -)ite. T)e -eat)er is rea&&+
)$t, t)e summer is -it) mu#) )umidit+, e/er+($d+ drin9s m$re t)an t)e+ s)$u&d and 4ais+ is
en#)anting (ut a&s$ )$rri(&+ un)a''+. E/er+$ne &$/es t)e -r$ng 'ers$n, t)ere is aggressi$n,
adu&ter+, /i$&en#e. T)e $/era&& im'ressi$n is t)at Gats(+ )as a magi#a& #$nne#ti$n -it) m$ne+
and )e d$esn6t tru&+ understand )$- (eing ri#) -$r9s.
T)ere -as a #$nstant #$m'etiti$n (et-een t)e $nes in t)e )ig) s$#iet+. T)e need $0
s)$-ing $00 t)eir )$uses, t)eir #ars and t)eir &i0est+&e -as (igger t)an an+t)ing e&se. "$r t)em,
t)at -as t)e (est -a+ $0 9ee'ing t)eir status and 0ame. T)e+ in/ited $t)er 'e$'&e $/er n$t t$
#$mmuni#ate $r s)are a g$$d time, it -as a si&ent -ar t$ remain $n t$' $0 t)e )ierar#)+.
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
Gats(+ )ad a di00i#u&t time in intera#ting -it) 'e$'&e $0 )is 9ind. A&t)$ug) e/er+($d+
-anted t$ (e near )im, n$($d+ -anted t$ (e -it) )im. T)e+ a##e'ted )im at s$me &e/e&, (ut t)e+
-ere re&u#tant in #$nsidering )im 'art $0 t)e #ir#&e. ?e$'&e -anted t$ attend )is e/ents ;ust
(e#ause t)e+ )ad a##ess t$ de#adent )a(its and #ust$ms. T)e+ -ere im'ressed (+ t)e $'u&en#e $0
t)e e/ents, (ut ne/er interested in t)e st$r+ $0 t)e man t)at &ied (eneat) t)at mas9 $0
e2tra/agan#e.
T)e Ameri#an 4ream -as m$re rea& t)an e/er. Out $0 t)e (&ue, it a''ears t)at t)e m$ne+
t)at -as (eing s'ent in t)e 'ast 1= +ears ne/er rea&&+ e2isted and a&& t)e &u2ur+ )as (een a 0antas+
(u((&e. T)e (u((&e e2'&$ded and n$t)ing -as &e0t. N$($d+ -anted, n$($d+ #$u&d ta9e 'art at
s$met)ing t)at -as $n&+ &$$sing its /a&ue -it) ea#) da+ 'assing (+. .as t)at t)e #a'ita&ism@ T)e
s$#iet+ made t)em (e&ie/e $t)er-ise. T)e in/est$rs remained '$$r and #)eated.
Ni#9 Carra-a+ ne/er t)$ug)t )e -$u&d assist at t)e (uria& $0 t)e great Gats(+ a&$ne. T)e
image $0 an attra#ti/e Gats(+, a man t)at ga/e )imse&0 t$ t)e s$#iet+, 0ades a-a+ at t)e end. 3e
ne/er rea&&+ )ad 0riends. T)e $n&+ t)ing t)at 9e't )im a&i/e and in t)e game -as )is &$/e 0$r
4ais+. M$ne+ ne/er ga/e )im )a''iness. 3e )ad a dream. And t)at6s -)at dreams are. T)e+
remain dreams.
T)e+ are #uri$us, t)e Ameri#an m+t)s. Ri' 7an .in9&e, t)e man t)at 0a&&s as&ee' and )e
-a9es u' rea&i%ing )e )as (een as&ee' 0$r 1== +ears, re'resents t)e amnesia $0 t)e Ameri#an
#u&ture. A(ra)am Lin#$&n is t)e g$$d, sim'&e man t)at -ins (e#ause $0 )is /irtue. .)itman is t)e
eterna& -a&9er. T)$reau, t)e )a''+ &i0e in t)e midd&e $0 t)e 0$rest. 1a+ Gats(+, )$-e/er,
re'resents t)e 0ai&ure. T$ sa+ t)at *it is t)e 0ai&ure $0 t)e Ameri#an dream
,
is t)e same as sa+ing
t)at is t)e 0ai&ure $0 1a+ Gats(+. It is n$t, t)$ug), $n&+ t)e 0ai&ure $0 t)e Ameri#an dream, -it) )is
$(sessi$n 0$r su##ess and ri#)ness . It is a&s$ a uni/ersa& 0ai&ure $0 t)e +$ut).
T)e Ameri#an dream is genera&&+ de0ined t)r$ug) eAua& $''$rtunities and &i(ert+ t)at
a&&$-s e/er+ in)a(itant $0 t)e U.S. t$ a#)ie/e 'ers$na& $(;e#ti/es in &i0e -it) mere e00$rt and
determinati$n. T)e 'r$s'erit+ de'ends $n&+ $n t)e a(i&it+ $0 $ne and $n )is )ard -$r9 t$
$/er#$me di00i#u&ties and n$t $n a destin+ di#tated (u+ t)e s$#ia& s#a&e. "$r s$me, it is t)e
$''$rtunit+ $0 getting ri#), 0$r $t)ers is t)e '$ssi(i&it+ $0 $00ering t)eir #)i&dren a g$$d edu#ati$n
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
, and 0$r m$st $0 t)e 'e$'&e t)e Ameri#an dream is re'resented (+ &i/ing a &i0e -it) n$ 0inan#ia&
$r '$&iti#a& restri#ti$n, n$ ra#e, s$#ia& #&ass $0 re&igi$n )$&d<(a#9s.
T)e generi# de0initi$n $0 t)e term a''ears in a )ist$r+ ($$9 -ritten (+ 1ames Trus&$-
Adams named *Ameri#an E'i#s,, in 1>1. 3$-e/er, t)e #$n#e't $0 t)e Ameri#an dream g$es
(a#9 t$ t)e B7I #entur+. In t)e B7I as mu#) as in t)e B7II, Eng&is) 'i$neers tried t$ #$n/in#e
t)e in)a(itants $0 t)eir #$untr+ t$ m$/e near t)e 5ritis) #$&$nies in N$rt) Ameri#a. T)e &anguage
and 'r$mises a($ut t)ese #$&$nies ended u' #reating t)ree &$ng &i/ing m+t)s t)at -ere di00erent
(ut at t)e same time re&ated: United States as a &and $0 a(undan#e, United States as a &and $0
$''$rtunities, United States as a &and $0 destinati$n.
T)r$ug)$ut t)e n$/e&, it is #&ear&+ s)$-n t)at t)e main #)ara#ter is #$nsumed (+ t)e idea
$0 (eing $'u&ent in )is a#ti$ns, 'arties and s$#ia& intera#ti$ns. 3e (e&ie/es t)at t)is -$u&d grant
)im t)e res'e#t and admirati$n $0 e/er+$ne ar$und )im, e/en i0 )e rea&&+ -ants ;ust $ne 'ers$n t$
n$ti#e )is a#)ie/ements and )ig)<&i0e -a+ $0 &i/ing 4ais+.
3is -a+ $0 e2'ressi$n t)r$ug) #&$t)ing and s$#ia& e/ents is 'er#ei/ed at t)e (eginning as
a sign $0 -ea&t), )$-e/er at $ne '$int Gats(+ seems t$ tr+ a &itt&e t$$ mu#) t$ &ea/e a g$$d
im'ressi$n. 3e is 'r$ud $0 -)at )e gained -it) )is $-n e00$rts and demands re#$gniti$n am$ng
'e$'&e t)at -ere ($rn ri#). 1a+ Gats(+ is n$t satis0ied -it) )a/ing it a&&, )e a&s$ needs t$ 0ee&
a##e'ted (+ t)e s$#iet+ in -)i#) )e is n$- a -e&& 9n$-n gent&eman.
T)e $n&+ t)ing t)at t)e main #)ara#ter -anted t$ $(tain -as 4ais+6s a00e#ti$n and
a''re#iati$n. 3e didn6t 9n$- $t)er -a+ $0 getting )er attenti$n $t)er t)an -it) m$ne+. T)e
inse#urit+ )e )ad 0e&t 0$r +ears -as n$t t$ disa''ear -it) '$-er and -ea&t). 5eing -it) 4ais+
-as t)e $n&+ -a+ )e #$u&d rea&&+ 0ee& &i9e )e a##$m'&is)ed )is g$a& in &i0e. T)at is t)e reas$n -)+
)e ne/er a#tua&&+ en;$+ed t)e 'arties )e )$sted. 3e -as a&$ne e/en i0 )e )ad a mansi$n 0u&& $0
guests. .e #an see t)at t)e 'arties st$' -)en )e gets 4ais+ (a#9. T)at is t)e m$ment -)en )e
rea&i%es t)at a&& )e )ad d$ne -as mere&+ 0$r &$/e. 3e $n&+ needs )er. 3e d$esn6t need maids $r
ser/ants t$ smi&e '$&ite&+ and 9ee' )is &i0e a&t$get)er. 3e d$esn6t need t$ $rgani%e s)$-s and
surr$und )imse&0 -it) 'e$'&e )e d$esn6t e/en 9n$-.
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
1a+ Gats(+ re'resents t)e Ameri#an dream #ame true 0$r a (rie0 'eri$d $0 time. 3e is
t)e +$ung man -it) )um(&e $rigins t)at des'ite t)e .ar manages t$ #$n/erts )imse&0 in a
mu&timi&&i$naire. 3e tries t$ re#$/er )is &$st &$/e and )e a#tua&&+ rea#)es a '$int in -)i#) )e
seems t$ )a/e it a&&. T)at gir&s -)$ -as ne/er meant 0$r )im (e#ause $0 t)e s$#ia& #&ass
di00eren#es seems t$ s)are )is idea&s and 0uture '&ans. T)is is a st$r+ a($ut i&&usi$ns $0 -ea&t),
gra#e and '$-er, a r$manti# idea&. 1a+ is ri#), '$-er0u&, )e )as t)e means t$ d$ -)ate/er )e
-ants )e is e/er+ gir&6s *?rin#e C)arming,.
4ais+ 5u#)anan is t)e 'er0e#t gir& $0 t)at time an im'etu$us +$ung &ad+, daring,
attra#ti/e, &i(era&, re(e&, s)e sm$9es, s)e dri/es 0ast, s)e en;$+s &i0e. E/er+ gir& -ants t$ (e )er
and e/er+ man -ants t$ (e -it) )er. 4ais+ a''ears t$ (e e2treme&+ str$ng and inde'endent,
a&t)$ug) -e &earn t$ understand t)at s)e is in 0a#t 0ragi&e and -ea9. S)e a#ts ($&d, (ut s)e ne/er
)as t)e #$urage $0 0ig)ting 0$r s$met)ing rea&. 3er )us(and6s in0ide&it+ ma9es )er e/en m$re
inse#ure, t)ere0$re s)e is a0raid $0 &ea/ing (e)ind t)at s$rdid -a+ $0 &i0e. Gats(+ $00ers )er
un#$nditi$na& &$/e and res'e#t, +et s)e #)$$ses su'er0i#ia& 0ee&ings and sett&es 0$r 0a9e smi&es and
s$#ia& status. S)e -$u&d ne/er )a/e )ad t)e #$urage t$ gi/e u' t)e 0e- t)ings s)e -as sure a($ut
in )er &i0e. T)at sma&&, 'a&e 0ee&ing $0 #$ntr$& -as t$ disa''ear i0 s)e &e0t )er )us(and t$ (e -it)
Gats(+.
Ni#9 Carra-a+ des#ri(es )$- t)e &i0e $0 )is neig)($r -as: )e )ad an ama%ing )$use, a
-$nder0u& garden, a&-a+s surr$unded (+ men and -$men 0r$m t)e )ig) #&ass, t)e #)am'agne
-as '$uring, t)e musi# -as '&a+ing Gats(+ )ad t)e 'er0e#t &i0e in t)e e+es $0 an+$ne e&se.
T)e 'air 1a+ 4ais+ is a s+m($& $0 an era $0 &i(ert+ in e2#ess: re'resented t)e )$'es $0 a
generati$n t)at )as ;ust g$tten $ut $0 t)e -ar Cand didn6t 9n$- i0 an$t)er $ne -as #$mingD and
t)at -as dr$-ning des'erati$n and 0ear in 'arties and &u2ur+. Gats(+ managed t$ $(tain a #ertain
re'utati$n and tit&e am$ng ri#) 'e$'&e, (ut (+ getting )imse&0 in/$&/ed in t)e &i/es $0 t)$se
'e$'&e C4ais+ and T$mD )e (e#ame t$ &a#9 m$ra&s and manners. T)e reas$n 0$r )is 0ai&ure -ere
)is $-n a#ti$ns and #)$i#es.
T)e n$/e& is a '$rtrait $0 t)e #$n#e't $0 t)e Ameri#an 4ream in t)e 1!=6s. It s)$-s us
)$- it #$u&d (e rea#)ed and it a&s$ s)$-s us )$- e/er+t)ing #an (e &$st in a matter $0 se#$nds. It
CIUCIULETE COSMINA CATINA,
YEAR III
Gr. 5 semestru de gratie
states t)e 0a#t t)at n$t matter -)at -e )a/e, -e a&-a+s -ant m$re. In $rder t$ a#)ie/e a m$ment
$0 )a''iness, t)ere )as t$ (e a (a&an#e (et-een materia& and s'iritua&. As mu#) as -e -$u&d &i9e
t$ 9ee' t$ t)e idea t)at &$/e grants us ;$+ 0$r t)e rest $0 $ur &i/es, $r t)at -ea&t) (rings us a&& t)e
rest t)at -e need Cin#&uding &$/e and a00e#ti$nD, t)e rea&it+ is t)at t)ese t-$ as'e#ts $0 &i0e are #$<
de'endant.
Reading *T)e Great Gats(+, is t$ su(merge t$ an era -)ere t)e .ar mar9ed t)e e2isten#e
$0 t)e main #)ara#ters and in -)i#) m$dernism is ($rn in t)e arms $0 &u2ur+ and s$')isti#ati$n.
A n$/e& s$ sim'&e (ut s$ (ri&&iant, t)at in nine s)$rt #)a'ters gat)ers t)e s'irit $0 a generati$n. It6s
t)e 'r$mise $0 ne- starts, t)at #$m(ine -it) 0a#ts $0 &i0e and a##idents. T)ese are t)e dreams t)at
are 0$&&$-ed and t)at )e&' #$ntinue -it) a rat)er sad e2isten#e, n$ matter -)ere t)e+ &ead and
e/en i0 t)ere is a )ig) 'ri#e t$ 'a+ 0$r rea#)ing t)em.