The Great Gatsby is a film that stars Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Tom Buchanan, and the Southern Belle Daisy (French 2013). Jay Gatsby is a rich young man who acquired his wealth through bootlegging. The movie is set in the post war America where a young idealistic narrator (Nick Carraway) spends the whole of his summer learning the uncomfortable realities that differentiate truths and illusions. He also understands the influence the past has on the present. One theme portrayed in the film is that money does not guarantee happiness. In addition, tragedy is one element in the movie. This paper will analyze how the aspect of wealth, lust, and corruption work hand in hand to facilitate the element of tragedy in the movie. The viewer learns that when dark secrets come out in the light they haunt the characters and many perish as a result. This shows that the past has a great influence on the present emotions and actions (French 2013).
The influence of the past comes out throughout the course of the film. After organizing and attending the funeral of Gatsby, Nick Carraway stands at Gatsby’s lawn where the deceased spent much of time staring at the green light across the bay. Nick realizes that the light comes from Daisy’s house. He concludes that the past forces itself to us by the nostalgia we experience in the present. In addition, Gatsby accumulated a lot of wealth and bought a mansion next to Daisy’s house. He also throws killer parties that are a clear indication of his commitment to impress Daisy. Daisy and Gatsby were once lovers. However, the tragedy here was that even after all the efforts Gatsby made to impress Daisy, he died for the crime committed by Daisy (hit and run). His death was in vain because even after such sacrifice, Daisy runs off with her husband. It was a tragedy that only a handful of people attended Gatsby funeral yet the parties Gatsby held at his house had so many attendants. One would assume that his wealth would guarantee him many friends. However, the reality was that he was a lonely man and not many people cared about him (French, 2013).
In conclusion, the tragic death of Gatsby and Myrtle portrays that the bad things we do in the past have a way of catching up with us and orchestrating our demise in the future. Both Gatsby and Myrtle have affairs with Daisy and Tom respectively. Daisy and Tom are married. The secret affair comes out in the light. As a result, Daisy runs over Myrtle for having an affair with Tom. Tom on the other hand persuades Myrtle’s husband that Myrtle and Gatsby had an affair (French, 2013). Wilson murders Gatsby and he dies in the confrontation. At the end of the film, Nick goes to Gatsby’s lawn. He compares Gatsby with the early settlers of America. He thinks to himself how people should strive to move forward instead confining themselves to the past. He makes a comparison with how boats move upstream as the current of the past propels them forward. In real life corruption, lust, and crime may pay in the short run. However, when one least expects it the actions of the past come to haunt them. The film shows how corruption and lust lead to the demise of the wealthy and fortunate in society.
Reference
French, P. (2003). The Great Gatsby – Review. Web.