Sophia Lisovskiy

Contributor

In truth, we are all a little like Gatsby.

When I finished reading The Great Gatsby earlier this month, two thoughts crossed my mind. First, this book is overrated, and second, it is overrated for a good reason.

Anyone familiar with American literature has likely heard of The Great Gatsby. Published in 1925 and celebrating its 100th anniversary, it is widely read in schools and is considered one of Fitzgerald’s greatest works. The novel, set in 1920s New York, is narrated by Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and bond salesman who moves to West Egg, Long Island. His wealthy and enigmatic neighbor with a mysterious past, Jay Gatsby, is known for his extravagant and lavish parties. Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin, and has spent years amassing his fortune in hopes of winning her back. However, Daisy is married to the wealthy but unfaithful Tom Buchanan, both of them coming from “old money” and well respected families. As the story unfolds, Nick becomes entangled in Gatsby’s world, leading to a tragic downfall fueled by lies, betrayal, and misplaced hope.

When I first picked up this book, I had high expectations. A tragic and moving love story set in the glitzy Jazz Age, layered with themes of social class and wealth—are you kidding? However, by the time I finished it, something felt missing. Fitzgerald’s writing didn’t captivate me as I had hoped and the characters felt hollow and difficult to root for. Daisy’s indecisiveness, Gatsby’s naivety, and the overall shallowness of the characters frustrated me. I wondered: Why is this novel regarded as one of the greatest when other books explore similar themes with richer storytelling?

It turns out I am not alone in this feeling. When The Great Gatsby was published, it received a

lukewarm reception, selling poorly and failing to impress critics. Fitzgerald died at 47, believing himself a failure. However, the book gained traction among American soldiers during World War II who related to Gatsby’s struggle to achieve success and a higher position in society. I believe that this holds the key to understanding the importance of The Great Gatsby.

Gatsby embodies the self-made man, the “new money” figure; rising from poverty to extreme

wealth. He has everything—money, a grand mansion, luxury cars—yet the one thing he desires, Daisy, remains out of reach. Every night, he gazes at the green light at the end of her dock, longing for a past that no longer exists. His love for Daisy is not for who she truly is but for an idealized version he has constructed in his head. The green light symbolizes his unattainable dream, hope, and the illusion that success can buy happiness.

Gatsby’s relatability lies in his relentless pursuit of an ideal. Many people chase dreams,

believing fulfillment will follow once they are achieved. His deep insecurity and his need for

acceptance in an elite world that will never fully embrace him makes him a tragic and deeply human character. Despite his wealth, he remains an outsider trying to prove himself—a pursuit that leads to his downfall. His blind faith in reinvention and success mirrors a common human belief: the belief that if we just work hard enough, if we just become better, we will finally get what we want.

The novel critiques the illusion of the American dream by exposing the corruption and moral

decay that often accompanies wealth. Gatsby’s rise and fall reveal the flaws in the idea that

external success leads to inner fulfillment. This theme remains relevant today. Modern society

constantly reinforces the notion that wealth and success equal happiness—through social media, advertisements, and self-improvement trends. The pressure to achieve a “glow-up” or attain a certain lifestyle reflects the very ideals The Great Gatsby critiques. The novel’s distant and hollow atmosphere, like a glamorous illusion, is entirely intentional. Nick Carraway observes that “they were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness […] and let other people clean up the mess they had made.” This quote encapsulates Fitzgerald’s criticism of the wealthy elite and their disregard for consequences.

Despite my initial disappointment, I ultimately appreciated the novel. Learning about

Fitzgerald’s personal life and his toxic relationship with his wife Zelda made me a bit

biased at the start, I admit. The Great Gatsby remains overrated in my eyes, but I now understand why it has endured as a classic. It offers a timeless narrative reflecting readers’ own hopes and anxieties. It is a short yet thought-provoking read, packed with heavy themes. I would recommend it to those interested in exploring its deeper meanings. And if not, at least watch the 2013 movie adaptation with Leonardo DiCaprio and Lana Del Rey’s haunting song “Young and Beautiful” on its soundtrack.