The Great Gatsby

A Timeless Exploration of the American Dream

Hello readers,

In this week's newsletter, I will be discussing the masterpiece by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. I came across this book through Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. I wanted to understand why Murakami would reference The Great Gatsby in his book and how the two might relate.

One day, I was visiting a junior who had borrowed it from a classmate. Since he wasn't a fan of English books—his preference leaning towards literature in French, Russian, German, and Japanese—I took the book from him. I mean, his English isn't great, and the same goes for me with Urdu, despite it being my native language.

Initially, I found The Great Gatsby quite boring. I discussed it with my junior, to whom the book belonged, and she, an avid reader, advised me to keep reading. She explained that the book is essentially about the American Dream. It was the second time I had heard this, as the preface also mentioned it. This made me ponder the concept more deeply.

Having recently finished the book, I now see how it brilliantly encapsulates the modern dilemma of the West and the influence of American life on people from the East. We are all, in a way, running after something, not knowing what will ultimately bring us peace. But is it peace we are after, or is it pure greed? This is a question I ask myself and pose to you as well. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Fitzgerald effectively captures this through the character of Gatsby, who is driven by his relentless pursuit of an idealized future:

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Connecting this to Norwegian Wood, we observe the protagonist, Toru Watanabe, caught up in the modern life of 1960s Tokyo. He frequents bars, engages in relationships devoid of love, and drinks himself to sleep, all while yearning for a meaningful connection reminiscent of his bonds with his deceased friend Kizuki, Naoko, and his quirky roommate, Stormtrooper. Like Gatsby, Watanabe is searching for something deeper, a sense of purpose and connection in a rapidly changing world.

Murakami's inclusion of The Great Gatsby within Norwegian Wood highlights the pervasive influence of the American Dream and Western modernism on Eastern cultures. Both novels explore love, loss, and the pursuit of an elusive ideal. Just as Gatsby's dream is ultimately unattainable, Watanabe's search for meaning leads him through a labyrinth of emotional turmoil and self-discovery.

Another connection lies in the portrayal of their respective eras. Fitzgerald captures the Jazz Age's extravagance and moral decay, while Murakami delves into the student protests and counterculture of 1960s Japan. Both settings reflect societies in flux, grappling with the promises and pitfalls of modernity.

Moreover, the characters' relationships in both novels reveal the fragility of human connections in the face of societal pressures. Daisy Buchanan, like Naoko, is a symbol of the protagonist's idealized past and unattainable future. Tom Buchanan's brute force mirrors Nagasawa's detachment and cynicism. Both characters navigate love and betrayal, reflecting the timeless struggle to reconcile personal desires with societal expectations.

In conclusion, The Great Gatsby and Norwegian Wood offer profound insights into the human condition, examining the relentless pursuit of dreams and the often-painful reality of their fulfillment. They remind us of the universal quest for meaning and the enduring impact of cultural and historical forces on our lives.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Are we truly seeking peace, or are we driven by greed and illusion? Let's discuss this in the comments.