Secondly, find your version of happiness
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Life Lessons Learned From 'The Great Gatsby'

Here are some life lessons to keep in mind, old sport.

129
Life Lessons Learned From 'The Great Gatsby'

Throughout my schooling, I have not only read, but I have also analyzed the famous novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald countless times. This has made me wonder: why is this book important to both high school, and college education? And why has so much emphasis been placed on this book in particular? To somebody who has maybe read the novel once or twice, or perhaps not at all, the answer to this question may seem obvious.

However, to someone who has read the book, and has watched both the new and the old movies enough to consider themselves an avid fan, the answer is much deeper than it appears to be. Personally, every time I have read the story, or I have watched the movie I have taken away another piece of information or life lesson away from the book's narrator Nick Carraway and his experiences. Here are some life lessons I have learned from The Great Gatsby.

Firstly, I have learned that people, including myself, will meet an array of different people throughout their lifetimes. It is a fact that as you grow older, you will encounter many different people of many different calibers. They will have different personality types, they will be of different ages and they will come from many different backgrounds.

Throughout narrator, Nick Carraway's experiences in the novel, he meets an array of different people. He meets those who are selfish, caught up in their own money and greed. He also meets individuals who are living in the past and are searching for the nearly unattainable, such as love. Take Nick's experience as a life lesson: no matter who you meet, each person will be unique and there is surely a lot you can learn.

Secondly, I have learned that humans, as a species, are all in search of their own version of happiness. No two people's ideas of happiness are completely identical and some things that make one person happy may not bring the same joy to another person. It is a fact that everyone is entitled to chase after their dreams, find their passions, and pursue happiness as they wish to. That is our goal as humans, after all, to use our life and liberty to achieve true happiness. Take this idea as a life lesson: take a journey to find whatever makes you happy and run with it. Find your version of happiness.

Additionally, the novel conveys the fact that money does not, and cannot buy happiness. The novel itself is all about money, but the novel also displays that money does not make the main characters happy in the slightest. For example, one of the characters, Daisy is married to another character, Tom mainly because of his money, surely not for love.

Unfortunately, she was living in an abusive relationship. Yes, she may have been rich but she wasn't happy with Tom. Also, another character, Gatsby had loads of money but in the end, all that made Gatsby happy was Daisy's love. Do not look towards money and material items for happiness because, in the end, all that matters is the people we love and care for most.

Finally, this story has taught me that no matter how hard you might try, you cannot erase the past. It is no secret that the past events that have occurred throughout our lives our lives today, and present occurrences will continue shaping our futures. In the book, Jay Gatsby's whole life was changed drastically once he met Daisy.

He fell in love with her and since that very moment, his entire life changed forever.He was hung up on Daisy even after five years past and she was already married. He hangs onto his romantic past with her and couldn't let it go. Remember, there is no erasing past memories, some for the better, some for the worst.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56619
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36487
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958341
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188752
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments