I learned that The Great Gatsby is considered the Great American novel due to its effect of making you understand why you like to read, and ability to show how literature can somehow grab you across great expanses of time and cultural differences. Even though Joel Achenbach’s idea of why The Great Gatsby is considered the Great American Novel, I also think this title is due the the book’s ability to portray the American Dream and the fantasies generated by the book's portrayal of this idea. The enjoyment of the book and its ability to show a time from another age throughout the book, makes The Great Gatsby a notable contender for the Great American Novel. However, I believe it is the book's ability to portray the American Dream and make the
…show more content…
With his writing, he was able to draw readers in and make them feel as if they were living in the time. He did this through his word choice and use of character traits and actions. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name. "Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!" shouted Mrs. Wilson. "I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai –– " Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (Pg. 125). This quote, while reading it in the book, almost felt socially acceptable as Fitzgerald was so successful in manipulating our minds to think in the social ideals of the 1920’s. With women being seen as a lower part in the social class during the time, I felt as if Tom’s actions were normal. This allows the book to carry an old time, and make it feel like we are currently living in it. How ever The Great Gatsby also has major themes of the American Dream that make it the Great American Novel that Achenbach doesn't talk about in their article. Throughout the book Fitzgerald’s characters show many different perceptions of the American Dream, but the one that stands out from the rest is Gatsby’s idea. “He was balancing himself on the
With his writing, he was able to draw readers in and make them feel as if they were living in the time. He did this through his word choice and use of character traits and actions. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name. "Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!" shouted Mrs. Wilson. "I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai –– " Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (Pg. 125). This quote, while reading it in the book, almost felt socially acceptable as Fitzgerald was so successful in manipulating our minds to think in the social ideals of the 1920’s. With women being seen as a lower part in the social class during the time, I felt as if Tom’s actions were normal. This allows the book to carry an old time, and make it feel like we are currently living in it. How ever The Great Gatsby also has major themes of the American Dream that make it the Great American Novel that Achenbach doesn't talk about in their article. Throughout the book Fitzgerald’s characters show many different perceptions of the American Dream, but the one that stands out from the rest is Gatsby’s idea. “He was balancing himself on the