Great Gastby Opinoin

I strongly disagree with Isabel Paterson's opinion. I do not think The Great Gatsby lacks universal appeal at all. Many of the issues touched upon in the story can be directly connected or related to events that are still happening in today's society. To say that this book is only good for one time period is not realistic due to all the proof against it.

The importance of wealth is demonstrated in the book by showing Gatsby's popularity due to his wealth, which allows him to throw extravagant parties. No one necessarily knows him or is a personal friend of his because his personality doesn't matter if people are acquaintances with him because of his wealth (page 45). In today's society, celebrities are constantly surrounded by media, fans, and people pretending to be one's friends because of their wealth and ability to do things that most cannot do. Infidelity in marriage is exhibited in this book when Tom cheats on Daisy with Myrtle (pages 38-40). In today's society, more than 50 % of married men have cheated on their wives at some point in their marriage. Racism is shown clear in this book when Tom describes to Nick about a book he is reading on white supremacy (page 17). In American society today, plenty of white supremacy groups, including the Klu Klux Clan, have surfaced along with an ongoing tone of racism against blacks in many parts of the country. The abuse of illegal substances is shown to be a part of The Great Gatsby when Nick spends time with Tom, Myrtle, and a few other friends. Alcohol is illegal during the time period that the book takes place in, and the group of people get drunk regardless (page 39). Illegal substances are constantly being abused in today's society. Teenagers not of legal drinking age get drunk very often, and illegal drugs are commonly bought, sold, and used by people everywhere. Fidelity in marriage is demonstrated in this book when Daisy and Gatsby get together and the love between them that was once present is still discovered to be there. Daisy is not unfaithful to Tom, even though she is tempted by Jay. In American Society today, celebrities are constantly tempted with groupies, fans, and overly willing people who don't care that someone is married. There are many celebrity couples who have stayed faithful and together through all temptation, proving fidelity in marriage to still be alive.

To say that The Great Gatsby lacks