了不起的盖茨比英文

An analysis of the main character- Gatsby in The Great Gatsby The historic background and a brief introduction of the content of the novel—The Great Gatsby
By the 21st century, the United States of America became the leading one in the world’s econom y. By exploiting and squeezing, capitalists quickly burgeoned throughout the country. Billionaires, such as railway tycoon, steel tycoon, financial tycoon and etc, became the typical representatives of the age. In the times, capitalist economy got fully de veloped. No wonder the times have been called “Gilded Times” by historians.
However, the basic contradiction between socialized manufacturing and private-owned material of production makes all the people under the capitalist system trapped in dilemma be tween wealth and living meaning. Some “lucky” ones get rich among the commons. But wealth doesn’t necessarily bring the meaning of living to them.
The Great Gatsby is Fitzgerald’s favorite novel, also a most obvious sign that his thought and style became mature. With strict designing of structure and special narrator, Fitzgerald expressed the motif of the disillusion of “American Dream”. By the standard of both art and profundity, the novel is the best works of Fitzgerald.
Gatsby’s personality
As Fit zgerald’s favorite figure, Gatsby had the similar experiences and mental state, and their dreams were different from the commons. Gatsby never gave up his idealistic dream while striving for material joy. Gatsby kept on making efforts to balance the both sides.
The material pursuit of Gatsby. On the one hand, he knew that, in the society that the commons scrambled for power and wealth, the will and the means to grab money were necessary. The novel introduces few about early days of Gatsby. But just from the few words, we can learn that Gatsby, who was born in a poor family of western
farmer, was assiduous and self-disciplined in his childhood. Gatsby’s father has taken out a ragged old copy of a book called HOPALONG CASSIDY. That was a book Gatsby had when he was a boy. On the last fly-leaf the word SCHEDULE was printed. SCHEDULE made a good arrangement of Gatsby’s study, practice and daily life.
And GENERAL RESOLVES went that:
“No wasting time …… No more smoking or chewing Bath; every other day Read one improving book or magazine; per week Save $5.00 {crossed out} $3.00 per week Be better to parents”.
His father recalled that Gatsby was always ambitious and determined. In fact, that is the value standard of the older generation, like old Gatz, who has participated in early western pioneering. Gatsby has been infected by that kind of virtue standard. But when entering the society at the age of 17, Gatsby was given a lesson. By accident, he could serve for a millionaire named Cody. And after a time, he originally got the chance,
“And it was from Cody that he inherited money—a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars. He didn’t get it. He never understood the legal device that was used against him, but what remained of the millions went intact to Ella Kay e”. “He was left with his singularly appropriate education; the vague contour of Jay Gatsby had filled out to the substantiality of a man.”
It shows that from then on he understood that one who wanted to prosper should get money by hook or by crook. The novel didn’t directly tell us business done by Gatsby, but hinted us about it. In chapter 7, Tom has reproached Gatsby that
“ You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfshiem—that much I happen to know.” “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a l ot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter.”
For such a charge, Gatsby was unable to deny, just responded:
“What about it?”
And Tom continued:
“Walter could have you up on the betting laws too, but Wolfshiem s cared him into
shutting his mouth.”
And at the moment,
“That unfamiliar yet recognizable look was back again in Gatsby’s face”.
Who was Wolfshiem?
“He’s quite a character around New York—a denizen of Broadway.” “He’s a gambler.”
“He’s the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919.”
And Gatsby was really very familiar with Wolfshiem. Later, after Gatsby died, for fearing that him be implicated to it, Wolfshiem refused to attend Gatsby’s funeral. And another man called “Slagle” mistook Nick into Gatsby, s aid in telephone: “Young Parke’s in trouble,…. They picked him up when he handed the bonds over the counter. …”
So, all of them hinted us that Gatsby collaborated with criminals and was engaged in illegal activities, even was implicated to some scandals.
The spiritual pursuit of Gatsby
On the other, Gatsby made full use of his imagination, and make great efforts to build a new world of spirit. He had his own dream, namely the idealistic love. During his pursuing love, we can see a man of good character. He adhered to his love adamantinely and unswervingly. He searched all means to please and care Daisy and never faltered in his love towards Daisy. Whatever he would have done for protecting his love, even sacrificing his life. Just for attracting Daisy or finding a person who knew Daisy, he has spent an astronomical amount of money to hold an unmatchable luxurious party per week at his colossal house. When he really remet Daisy after 5 years, he became very embarrassed and was“acting like a little boy”. Then: “After his embarrassment and his unreasoning joy he was consumed with wonder at her presence”.
Just from his performance, we feel he very real and lovable, and a sense of bliss. After the accident happened, for protecting Daisy, he unhesitatingly took the responsibility. And instead of going away, he kept in watching for Daisy, till he was killed. The point is the most important thing. So, comparing with the vacant,
indifferent and cruel Tom, Daisy, Jordan and a lot of social parasites, Gatsby is “great”.
Conclusion
By depicting main figures’ personalities and the conflicts between them, the great Gatsby deeply shows that under the materialism environment, in any case, Gatsby would have failed to his idealistic dream inevitably, namely disillusion of American dream. Meanwhile, the novel also shows that the materialism way gets no access to a perfect country. Instead, it leads total depravity. The nationals become hypocritical, indifferent, empty, and cruel, day and night indulged in material pursuing.
Bibliography
[1] Brian Phillips, (2003), Guides to The Great Gatsby, Tianjing: Tianjing Scientific Translation Press
[2] Hu, Y. T. [胡荫桐], 2001, 《美国文学新编》，Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
[3] Liu, C. B. [刘存波], 2005, 《美国文学名著赏析》，广东：华南理工大学出版社
[4] Wang, S. N. [王松年], 2003, 《美国文学作品选读》，上海：上海交通大学出版社
[5] Zhang, B.X. [张伯香], 1999, 《美国文学选读》，Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press。