How many of you have got to know “The Great Gatsby” through the film played by Leonardo DiCaprio instead of the book? I wouldn’t deny it to be a fascinating movie. Yet, I would say that the original piece, the exemplary novel of the Jazz Age written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is even better.

The novel was narrated from the perspective of Nick Carraway and revolved around the story of Jay Gatsby, a poor farm boy who had aspired to greatness since childhood. As he rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant, he met Daisy Buchanan, and they fell in love. However, Gatsby was called to join the war effort. Upon his return, he discovered that Daisy was already married to another man. Later, in his pursuit to relive his past love with Daisy, Gatsby gradually transformed from a poor army officer to a wealthy millionaire.

The story began when Nick Carraway arrived in New York City with dreams of achieving the American dream. He coincidentally became neighbors at Gatsby's mansion. The extravagant parties held at Gatsby's mansion attracted the upper-class elite and piqued Nick's curiosity about Gatsby. After receiving a special invitation, Nick entered the grandiose mansion and learned about Gatsby's motivations for hosting these lavish gatherings. Gatsby believed that wealth could win back Daisy's affection. Therefore, he was determined to become a rich man. As a matter of fact, his efforts were successful, at least for impressing Nick, who decided to assist Gatsby in his pursuit of Daisy. Nevertheless, the reality was that Daisy was materialistic and perceived her time with Gatsby as an extramarital affair.

A tragic turn of events occurred when Daisy, in a fit of anger, ran over her husband's mistress with her car. Gatsby took the blame for protecting Daisy. But the mistress' husband, instigated by Tom Buchanan, sought revenge and murdered Gatsby. Nick was disillusioned by the callousness and indifference of the upper class and thus returned to his hometown.

The novel initially depicted Nick's arrival in New York with high hopes and aspirations, but he became disenchanted as he realized that success in the pursuit of the American dream is elusive. Even Gatsby, the epitome of wealth, could meet a tragic end due to the cruelty of the upper class. Even so, Gatsby's life is a testament to his committed determination to fulfill his dreams. The green light, symbolizing his aspirations, remained an ever-present goal throughout the story. Despite Gatsby ultimately falling short, the novel suggests that with sufficient effort, there is potential for a corresponding reward.

In general, Fitzgerald had set all scenes flawlessly, painting a world of magic and introduced one of the greatest characters of all time, Jay Gatsby. Full of equal parts hope and desperation, the book illuminated the decadent excess and corruption of the Jazz Age, which still manages to hold a mirror to our own society. Although some may interpret The Great Gatsby to be a tale of the ludicrous thing we do for love, which inevitably will leave us with empty hands, and as a painful story regarding one’s obsession with illusions against one’s better judgement and a cautionary tale on the quintessential American belief in the malleability of the individual, the American dream, I found myself touched by the relentless dreamer holding his beautiful and charming hope, perfectly imperfect.