March 1 Response

I think The Great Gatsby is taught to teenagers because a major motif in the novel is the ~mysteriousness~ of Gatsby, even though he’s a bad person, and I think that appeals to teenagers who feel special/centered since Gatsby is initially perceived as successful, attractive, and powerful. We find out that he actually isn’t that powerful or special, and that success is really rooted in privilege and obedience. I think teenagers are supposed to learn self-awareness through the novel, but American culture thrives off of the dynamics in the novel so I’m not sure why it’s taught actually. Actually, I think it’s supposed to be about the “money can’t buy happiness” idea, but we know that that was only created to manipulate us into believing that we shouldn’t need or ask for or chase money when money is quite literally what gives us resources. I’m sure there’s a ton more reasons why it’s taught, but I think the book speaks to issues on shallow relationships and “humility” that we automatically feel like teenagers “need” to learn about. Now, I think we’re able to think more critically through the story to pick apart the details we’re too young to notice or understand as teenagers.