GUEST EDITORIAL: 4 Central Plot Elements in "The Great Gatsby"

4 Central Plot Elements in The Great Gatsby

by Kevin Gardner

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an American classic. While there are multiple adaptations of the book, one that particularly stands out is the film directed by Baz Luhrmann. This movie has a modern feel and a lot of stylization. If you'd like to learn more about it, here are four central plot elements from The Great Gatsby.

1. Extravagant Parties

Extravagant parties are at the heart of every adaptation of The Great Gatsby, but the Luhrmann movie does a particularly effective job of displaying the magnificence of these events. In the movie, Jay Gatsby (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) puts on numerous parties in his West Egg mansion. These events are the height of luxury, containing everything from acrobats to fireworks. One of the most impressive elements is his fantastic pool, which is so amazing that you have to wonder what his pool finance plan was. Essentially, Gatsby's parties display the extravagant wealth of the upper class in the twenties. The parties are also a symbol of how far Gatsby will go for love.

2. Different Types of Love

Love in its many forms is another important plot element in The Great Gatsby. The audience is shown a multitude of different relationships, each of which involves a different type of love. With Gatsby and Daisy, the main couple in the film, the love is based on longing. This longing is mainly on Gatsby's party, although Daisy does feel an attraction. While Gatsby's love is certainly strong, the audience is shown that it isn't necessarily realistic or true. The film also displays two couples with cheating partners, both of which have an unhealthy and toxic type of love. In both cases, particularly on the men's side, the love seems to come from a need to possess the other. Finally, the audience is shown the newly blossoming love between Nick and Jordan. Despite the fact that this relationship isn't fully fleshed out, the budding attraction and mutual respect are clear as day.

3. Hope

Hope is an aspect of The Great Gatsby that the Luhrmann movie focuses on a lot. In the beginning, the audience sees Nick telling his doctor about Gatsby. He specifically references Gatsby's unrelenting hope. That hope is basically what drives Gatsby's actions throughout his entire life, particularly after he returned from the war. Specifically, Gatsby's hope surrounds his love for Daisy. Even though Daisy left him for someone richer, he still has hope that changing himself can solve the problem. This drove him to amass a fortune, move to a particular area in New York and hold parties constantly. Fortunately for Gatsby, at least for a bit, this hope is realized. Daisy has an affair with Gatsby. On the other hand, Gatsby is unable to see the affair become a true relationship. Nonetheless, his hope remains intact.

4. Class

In any movie or book surrounding the “Roaring Twenties,” class is likely to be an important plot element. The Great Gatsby is no exception to the rule. In fact, class is a driving force behind the film's message. While the audience rarely sees those in the lower class, it's made clear how ignorant the upper class is. The lifestyle of most of the main characters, while worthy of jealousy, is displayed as too extravagant. It's also shown to be useless in the long run. This is best exemplified by Gatsby's story. All of the wealth that Gatsby gains still can't win him true loyalty from Daisy. In the end, Gatsby's upper-class status doesn't save him from being killed.

Luhrmann's version of The Great Gatsby has an interesting mix of faithfulness and stylization. While the important plot points from the book are still present, it doesn't feel like a movie that truly lives in the twenties. Because of this, critics have been widely split on it. However, no matter what you think, it's undeniable that the movie has some crazy party scenes.