“Yes he honors him, because he finds him fascinating. They are not friends. Nick is an admirer, a fan.The dead don't read books, and though fans may like to think so, the objects of their affections usually don't read the fan magazines.”
“Well...Nick told his story in the end to honor him. SPOILER ALERT: Nick felt so bad about no one coming to the funeral that he was afraid that what he loved about Gatsby (his beautiful optimism and idealism) would be forgotten. That's why he writes the book...as a tribute to Gatsby, not for himself.”
“You can find someone fascinating whether you like them or not. In the end it's enough for Nick to tell his story.”
“Nick doesn't really find Gatsby fascinating for a long time though. At first he doesn't really like him...it's only over the course of events in the novel that he grows to admire his absolute romanticism.”
“It's merits...well, it's not what I would call an enjoyable novel. It's interesting to study in the context of american history. As an novel on hubris, I think it is well written.I didn't like the character of Gatsby, but I find it interesting that the narrator thinks he is fascinating. An early example of celebrity/ lifestyles-of the-rich-and-famous worship.”
“It appears that this is one of those books that you either love or hate - and I think I'm leaning towards the hate side already, and I'm barely in.Also, my English teacher ALWAYS refers to it as "The Great American Novel" and one of his favorites.”
“Yes, Selina, you got me there. :P But since The Great American Novel is a highly subjective title to bestow on a book, this at least deserves some discussion of its merits.Personally, I think it is.”
“That's not hard. It has 'great' in the title. It's american. And it's novel.true. ;-)”
“The Great Gatsby is the Great American Novel...true or false?Anyone?”
“I adore the book. From a portrait of the age, to the humanist morality play it presents- marvelous. Have you read Brideshead Revisited? You'd enjoy it's similarity.”
