After the literary giant F. Scott Fitzgerald passed away, his gravestone bore a single inscription:
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
This line, the concluding sentence of “The Great Gatsby”, serves as Fitzgerald’s reflection on his own life. Through Gatsby’s story, he seemed to hint at his own life’s trajectory: once radiant with promise, but eventually mired in desires, lost among superficial friendships, and caught up in unrealistic dreams, leading him to a bleak end.
Reading “The Great Gatsby” is like reading Fitzgerald’s autobiography. Upon understanding the novel, one can perceive the signs of someone’s descent in life.
1. Entrapped by Desire, Drowning Step by Step
Gatsby, born to an impoverished farming family, longed for an escape from his life of toil and deprivation. At 16, by a twist of fate, he rescued millionaire Dan Cody. In gratitude, Cody invited Gatsby aboard his yacht, lavishing him with luxuries and introducing him to immense wealth. Gatsby was so taken by this world that he began to covet Cody’s riches. He stayed close to Cody, hoping to inherit his fortune. However, after Cody’s death, his mistress claimed all his assets, leaving Gatsby with nothing but a developed greed.
Unwilling to return to his humble beginnings, Gatsby chose to join the military. Even with the risks of war, he was enchanted by the prestige of a military uniform. This choice led him into the circles of high society, where he met the wealthy Daisy Buchanan. In her, Gatsby saw the allure of affluence once again. He was so captivated by her and the wealthy lifestyle she represented that he sought every means to climb social ranks, eventually becoming a major. Yet, before he could marry Daisy, war broke out. After surviving near-death experiences in battle, he returned home penniless, even lacking basic necessities.
Driven by his intensified yearning for wealth, Gatsby turned to gambling. There, he met mobster Meyer Wolfsheim, who saw potential in him and introduced him to the world of illegal bootlegging. Aware of its illicit nature, Gatsby couldn’t resist the rapid wealth it promised. He made a fortune, affording luxuries like a lavish mansion opposite Daisy’s residence. As he indulged in the opulence money brought, his hunger for more grew insatiable, leading him deeper into criminal activities. Money, which once gave joy, became a relentless source of anxiety.
As Goethe once said, “He who is a slave to his desires can never be free.” Everything in life comes with a price. The more one wants, the more one must pay. Desires are like quicksand. Those who can’t free themselves from their grip inevitably sink deeper and deeper until they’re consumed. Life is a long journey. Only by moderating desires can we walk steadily; only with detachment can we reach great distances.
2. Getting Stuck in Superficial Social Circles
Despite amassing great wealth through illicit bootlegging, Gatsby struggled to find acceptance in New York’s elite circles. In an effort to mingle with the upper crust, he frequently splurged on extravagant parties at his mansion, hosting the most talked-about names in the city. The brightest stars, influential officials, and wealthy businessmen all graced his events. However, most guests weren’t there to befriend Gatsby. Naively, he believed he had made numerous high-society connections.
In a bid to earn their respect, he spun tales about his background, claiming to be from a wealthy lineage, holding a major’s rank, and being an Oxford graduate. Reveling in their praises, he was oblivious to their two-faced nature. While they relished his lavish spreads, behind his back they speculated and even maligned him. Gatsby’s interactions with these folks brought more trouble than benefit. Once, when he was absent from his own party, an irate guest caused significant damage to his property. Another time, a so-called “close friend” spread rumors about him, resulting in negative media attention and scandalous headlines.
When Gatsby eventually ceased hosting these parties, many of these “friends” quickly turned on him. Despite investing a lot of money and enduring chaos in his home, he often faced criticism and gossip. This superficial socializing never truly helped him progress or gain acceptance into high society; it only drained him emotionally and mentally. True friendships are built on mutual interests, not just money and appearances. Superficial social circles are exhausting to maintain and can easily derail one’s life. Wise individuals distance themselves from such circles. They don’t chase acceptance from negative people and don’t force themselves into unsuitable groups. They choose companions with shared values and join constructive communities. After all, only positive circles truly uplift and support one’s growth.
3. Losing Sight of Reality in a World of Fantasy
In Gatsby’s dreams of grandeur, Daisy always played the leading role. When they finally reunited, Gatsby, overjoyed, proudly showed her the mansion he had built especially for her. Daisy was moved to tears by the luxurious furniture, exquisite garments, and valuable collections, a reaction that made Gatsby realize money now heavily influenced her voice. But he refused to accept that the love of his life had become materialistic. Even when his good friend Nick warned him, saying, “Daisy doesn’t truly love you. She’s driven to you because of her husband’s infidelity and cruelty, not your wealth,” Gatsby remained lost in a dream. He naively believed Daisy would leave her husband Tom and start a new life with him.
Devoting his wealth and time to Daisy, Gatsby not only renovated his mansion for her but also revolved his entire life around her, sidelining his business and personal life. However, when tensions rose between him and Tom, and Tom revealed Gatsby’s illegal means of acquiring wealth, Daisy didn’t hesitate to abandon him. Despite Gatsby’s desperate pleas, Daisy wished to leave with Tom immediately. Gatsby remained convinced that she just needed time and would ultimately choose true love over wealth. Yet Daisy only sought to distance herself from him. In her distress, she accidentally killed Tom’s mistress, Mrs. Wilson, while driving. Gatsby, unwilling to see her harmed, took the blame for the accident. He promised Daisy he’d handle everything and take her to a place where no one knew them. But behind his back, Daisy conspired with Tom to shift the entire blame onto Gatsby.
Tragically, Gatsby awaited a call from Daisy, but instead, faced a vengeful Mr. Wilson, gun in hand. With a single gunshot, Gatsby’s dreams were shattered. He took the blame for a heartless Daisy and lost his life. After his death, Daisy, fearing any association, didn’t even attend his funeral. Reality can be harsh and unforgiving. Getting lost in dreams may offer a brief escape, but it blinds us to the truth. Reality stands firm like a rock in the sea. Avoiding challenges or deceiving oneself in the face of risks only leads to disaster. As Washington once said, “Every situation in life has its advantages and joys, as long as we accept the facts.” Facing reality with courage and calmly evaluating risks and challenges is the key to finding solutions and brighter horizons.
In Conclusion
Life is a challenging climb. We all aspire to reach the pinnacle of happiness, but sometimes we realize we’ve taken the wrong path. At times, we’re lured by temptations, only to be stuck in a quagmire of desires. Sometimes, we can’t bear loneliness and find ourselves trapped in superficial social circles. At other times, we can’t accept reality and become lost in delusions. The real danger isn’t in making a single mistake but in persistently refusing to recognize and correct them. May we always remain vigilant in this vast, vibrant world, staying steadfast and determined, climbing towards the peak and marching forward to happiness.
