Karl’s comment > Likes and Comments

Emily -- you might find this discussion of interest. It was probably one of the longest running ones on B&N.

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t...

thanks lily

I think Gatsby is my favorite book, i truly love it. I can recite sections by heart. The book captures an historical era, but it also gets to the heart of the American ethic and belief system. When you read Gatsby, you are reading about every person in this country who believes in the American Dream, or that some people are better than others because they have "what it takes." Our fascination with wealth, our adoration of celebrity--Gatsby touches on our American belief of movin' on up---or maybe, falling in love with an image that disappears when the lights dim.
I'm sorry your English teacher ruined it for you. Gatsby should not be read by high school students. It's not likely that a high school student will find the book compelling. the only reason English teachers teach it, I believe, it that it is short and that T.S. Elliot said that it was good. (Like Huckleberry Finn--but that's another story---

When you're older and a bit wearier, try Gatsby again.