I’d say that Fitzgerald ends neither on a positive nor negative note. He instead ends the book with a hopeful reflection to the future (yes, I know this doesn’t quite make sense). The over all effect is a more sullen conclusion however this does not make it a sad ending. Just before the book ends it states: “It eluded us the, but that’s no matter—to-morrow we will run faster, stretch our arms farther… And one fine morning----“ While the writing has always been in a style reflecting nicks thoughts it has always been reflecting his thoughts at that point in time or about the past. This is the first time he really takes a look at the future. The way he talks now shows a man looking towards a future that is attainable through progress. I argue that the final words show a hopeful/progressive ending to the book.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
In Closing... (Eliot)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree and disagree with you. First of all, I agree that Fitzgizzle ends the book on a comparably upbeat note. That being said, I think the end is indeed very sad. The Oxford Dictionary lists the definition for "tragedy" as "dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, esp. one concerning the downfall of the main character". In this sense, the book is very much a tragedy. Gatsby is lead to believe that the glamorous world of the "Easteggers" has meaning and prospects for him, only to find that the people are shallow and selfish, relying on their money to protect them from deserved consequences. Of course, he finds this out too late to prevent spending five years of his life pursuing Daisy, and far too late to prevent his own death. "The Great Gatsby" recounts the tragic fall of a "great" man, who was taken advantage by the world of old money.
ReplyDeleteI think the ending still has a sadder tone to it, given the recent happenings. The book ends with a lot of negative events and realizations, though Fitzgerald makes it so that it's not a complete downer of an ending, though I wouldn't go so far as to say it ends on an upbeat note.
ReplyDelete