Updated:

“The Great Gatsby” Film by Baz Luhrmann Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

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).

More about The Great Gatsby

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). Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2020, August 22). "The Great Gatsby" Film by Baz Luhrmann. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-gatsby-film-by-baz-luhrmann/

Work Cited

""The Great Gatsby" Film by Baz Luhrmann." IvyPanda, 22 Aug. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-gatsby-film-by-baz-luhrmann/.

References

IvyPanda. (2020) '"The Great Gatsby" Film by Baz Luhrmann'. 22 August.

References

IvyPanda. 2020. ""The Great Gatsby" Film by Baz Luhrmann." August 22, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-gatsby-film-by-baz-luhrmann/.

1. IvyPanda. ""The Great Gatsby" Film by Baz Luhrmann." August 22, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-gatsby-film-by-baz-luhrmann/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. ""The Great Gatsby" Film by Baz Luhrmann." August 22, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-great-gatsby-film-by-baz-luhrmann/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1