Why Does The Media Keep Missing The Mark On “The Great Gatsby”?

by Jocelyn Ocampo-Mateo 

“The Great Gatsby” is a classic piece of American literature that high school English classes have been studying for decades. First published on April 25,1925, “The Great Gatsby,” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who commented on the social normalities of the time, as well as the illusion of the American dream and how romanticized the rich viewed themselves at the time. This past century there have been countless times of different adaptations of the said novel. From the stage to the big screen, if you need to watch “The Great Gatsby,” you have countless options to choose from. Some of the most notable adaptations have been the 1974 movie starring Robert Reford and Mia Farrow, the 2013 movie starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Toby Macguire, and most recently, the 2023 “Great Gatsby Musical.” Each of these adaptations have taken creative liberties to each of their adaptations but one thing all of these pieces of media have in common, is the fact they seem to forget the true meaning behind its original text. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a story about the illusion of the American dream and the madness that wealth can drive you to.

Every adaptation has been known to put its own unique spin on the beloved novel. However, all of these adaptations commonly focus or glamorize the illustrious relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. It becomes a romanticized fantasy that the two have, a man who spends five years yearning for his long lost love to return to him. Instead of how the author intended the novel to be, a harsh call out of the rich society and the illusion that is the american dream. The 1974 movie is described as a “Historical Romance” and a reflection of life during the 1920s. Funny enough however, this version seems to be the most faithful to the original. While the plot stays faithful to its original source material, the film received mixed reviews in regards to the fact that the film lacked true commentary for the age of which the film takes place.

One can’t help but wonder, why are we always so focused on the love story and not the actual message when it comes to “The Great Gatsby.” Producers just seem to have a hard time again and again to hit it right on the marker. When you read the book, you notice the melancholy tone that Fitzgerald uses. For example the description of the valley of ashes, or the misfortune event of Gatsby’s death. No one is rewarded for their hard work and instead the only ones to continue their lives like nothing happened are Tom and Daisy. The old money are the only ones who can sit comfortably on their wealth, while characters like Myrtle die, and Nick is left with nothing more than PTSD and resentment for his cousin’s carelessness. The story as a whole comments on the illusion of the American Dream and criticizes the rich who diminish the value of achieving that dream. Even though Gatsby worked hard to earn his money instantly, and get out of poverty, he was still constantly chasing after Daisy, inevitably leaving him dead and her just as fine as she was before him. Just like the characters in the book, we are distracted by the financial things of life and choose to ignore the truth behind the text, which in a way, is exactly what Fitzgerald was trying to convey.