As I sat in my freshman seminar class, we analyzed the first few chapters of the novel F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for, The Great Gatsby. It takes both of my hands to count how many times I have discussed this book throughout my education. It made me wonder, why? Why has so much emphasis been put on this book? The answer seems obvious, but it goes much deeper. I've read this book multiple times and as a 21st century teenager, watched the movie (old & new) at least a million times. Every time I gain another experience with Gatsby I take away one more piece of information I can apply to reality that I didn't know before. Here's some things we can take away from Fitzgerald and why this novel is still relevant and will continue to embolden readers everywhere:

1. Everything you do must be for you.

If we build our dreams, career and life around someone else, we risk missing out on ourselves. Focus on what you want. Every character in this book never let their eye stray from the prize. Gatsby spent all of his life trying to impress Daisy, when in the end, it ultimately failed. Why would you live your entire existence trying to satisfy or please someone else? This is not their life. It's yours, so take your desires and run with them.

2. The Roaring Twenties were LIT.

The time where inventions were popping up everywhere, where millionaires were as common as cracks in the sidewalk thanks to the stock market, and people lived life to the absolute fullest, not knowing whether they'd be living in a mansion one day or struggling alongside farmers in a great depression the next. This time period had its advantages and disadvantages, but it remains as one of the must lively and memorable eras in history.

3. Money cannot buy you happiness or love.

As much effort as Gatsby put into winning Daisy back through his elaborate parties, outrageous mansion, mysteriousness, and clearly rich personality, in the end, Daisy still left with Tom and frankly only cared about "old money".

4. Your fate can be reversed.

You can achieve anything you want to achieve and your background does not matter. Jay Gatsby did not let his circumstances define who he was. He was born into poverty but believed in the power of his goal, and with a conquered amount of hope and optimism he created a new life for himself. Dreams can become a reality.

5. Always try and see the good in people.

The book begins with a quote from main character, Nick Caraway, stating "always try and see the good in people". His father told him this as he grew older. This seemed to be something Nick took seriously and it caused him to meet many different kinds of people and endure tons of experiences, he otherwise as a closed minded person, would not have encountered. Stop pointing out flaws and start giving others the benefit of the doubt. You never know what could happen. You could meet the next Jay Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby not only can make you happier by giving you a good time and the movie, supplying lots of Leonardo DiCaprio eye candy, but also serve as a life coach. Look at life like Gatsby looked at Daisy, "the way every girl wanted to be looked at". So, again why is this book slapped in front of students so many times? Life. Life is why. This has to be one of the most influential and significant readings I've spent time on since I can remember. It's a text that I don't mind reading over and over again, because every time I learn something new.