Alex Kippenbrock
1301 E. Walnut St.
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Dear Mr. Fitzgerald,
Hello, I am currently a Junior at Carbondale Community High School. I have recently read your novel The Great Gatsby, and it is by far the best book that I have read in a long time. Of course the characters, plot, and setting all intrigued me, the reason I truly loved your book is the intricate themes and symbols you weave in throughout the entire story. It is possible to read the novel as you might read any other book, but you would only scratch the surface of this classic American story. While it seems that English teachers pick apart every single detail of classic literature until a rose bush turns into the meaning of life, they would be correct to do this to The Great Gatsby. In fact if they did not, they would be severely under qualified to teach. From every description of color, to the weather, themes and symbols are rampant throughout the novel.
I really enjoyed the character Jay Gatsby. Even up to the very end when the reader discovers that he is just another rich aristocrat, I still felt pity for him. Maybe I loved Gatsby so much because he is such an unusual character. Rather than being perfect you reveal his many flaws. Gatsby enjoys the opportunities to throw extravagant parties and a lot of people are always there. However, none of these people really know Gatsby. They come up with insane stories to tell of Gatsby’s history. The ironic part of these stories is that Gatsby himself probably had the simplest upbringing of everyone. Living in a rule city, there is not many well of folks. However, you always hear the story of the person who made it big, and is now living in a large city. Gatsby’s success story gives me hope that there is a possibility that you can come out of simple upbringing. This is of course the American Dream. Gatsby’s story is a true example of what nearly all Americans hope they can become. However, the residents of West and East Egg symbolize the end of the American dream. The valley of ashes and Eckleburgs faceless eyes are two symbols that point this out. Had I treated the book like a children’s novel, I would have read right over them, and not understood their meanings. Unfortunately, today’s society shows many of the same flaws that were apparent during the 1920’s. Extravagant elitist parties, a spike in adultery, and a shallowness of the upper class all point to the degragation of the society. If The Great Gatsby was reset in the 21st century, readers would have a hard time deciphering differences between the two decades.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful work of literature. As I mentioned it has now become one of my favorite books. The Great Gatsby is a novel that has been read throughout the years and will no doubt be read by future generations.
Your reader,
Alex Kippenbrock
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