The Fluidity of Water in The Great Gatsby: A Symbolic Journey
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Chapter 1: Literary Alchemy
There’s a compelling reason why no film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) has achieved critical acclaim. The novel possesses qualities akin to poetry. While it echoes T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land in its "Valley of Ashes," its essence aligns more closely with the lyrical and thematic depth of John Keats, the young British Romantic poet who tragically passed away from tuberculosis.
Could we refer to this phenomenon as Literary Metempsychosis? It draws from Pythagorean beliefs about the soul’s journey—connecting Keats to Fitzgerald through a lens of reincarnation, as inspired by Indian philosophy. This intertwining of texts, known as "Intertextuality," highlights the mingling of narratives, much like the relationships between Virgil and Dante or The Aeneid and The Divine Comedy.
During a visit to Keats’s grave in Rome, I found myself reflecting on his poignant epitaph: “Here lies one Whose Name was writ Upon Water” (1821). Oscar Wilde, in 1877, deemed it “the holiest place in Rome,” penning verses that echoed the sentiment of remembrance akin to my own tears shed for Wilde in Paris at Pere LaChaise.
Section 1.1: The Wake of Dreams
Fitzgerald, similar to his narrator Nick Carraway, exists in duality: one foot in the water, the other on solid ground. He observes the world both objectively and as an active participant, much like Gatsby himself. In the opening lines, Nick establishes his credibility as a narrator by contemplating the "foul dust" that lingers in the aftermath of Gatsby's dreams.
Water mingles with dust and aspirations, reminiscent of Eliot’s imagery in The Waste Land:
"breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain" ("Burial of the Dead").
The term "wake" encompasses various meanings: a funeral, a vigil, a path of disturbed water, and the aftermath of events. This multiplicity reflects Twain's notion of the "right word" versus the "almost right word." The musicality of language resonates through the narratives, evoking the essence of Homer, Milton, and Joyce—writers whose works thrived on auditory experience.
The first video, "How Water Shapes the Earth," explores the fundamental role of water in shaping landscapes and narratives, tying beautifully to the themes discussed.
Section 1.2: Between Waves and Words
Let’s delve deeper, shall we? As we explore Chapters 1, 3, and 5, the water motif becomes increasingly pivotal, culminating in Chapter 9's memorable conclusion. Fitzgerald draws a parallel between Daisy Buchanan’s voice and musical notes, as if they are fleeting sounds meant to vanish.
The imagery of water flows throughout the narrative, reflecting the fluidity and power inherent in both the story and its characters. Nick’s initial sighting of Daisy and Jordan in East Egg captures this essence:
"Two young women were buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon."
Fitzgerald deftly employs verbs like "buoy" and "anchored" to illustrate the delicate balance of the ephemeral—symbolizing the intertwined fates of these characters.
Chapter 2: From Floods to Baptisms
Water serves both practical and symbolic purposes, from the necessity of hydration to the spiritual act of baptism. The cleansing aspect of water resonates deeply, not only in health but also in the metaphorical washing away of sins. Flood narratives, from Sumerian tales to the Biblical account of Noah, underscore water's duality—its ability to nurture and destroy.
The fluidity of water parallels the thematic structure of the novel, providing an undercurrent that binds the narrative together.
The second video, "Water Imagery in The Great Gatsby," dissects the rich use of water symbolism in the novel, enriching our understanding of its narrative depth.
Chapter 3: Waves and Wastelands
This concept mirrors Gatsby’s lavish parties in Chapter 3, where the atmosphere is buoyant yet superficial. The imagery of water—both literal and metaphorical—creates a vibrant backdrop to the characters' fleeting relationships.
Fitzgerald’s prose in this chapter reveals the constant motion of life, capturing the essence of transient connections amidst the backdrop of an ever-changing world.
Chapter 4: Raindrops and Revelations
In Chapter 5, Gatsby stands in the rain, embodying his emotional turmoil. This weather motif serves as a narrative device, reflecting his internal struggles and foreshadowing tragic outcomes. The pathetic fallacy, where weather mirrors character emotions, enhances the thematic depth of the story.
As the rain pours, it symbolizes not just sorrow but also the potential for renewal, echoing the complex layers of human experience captured in Fitzgerald's writing.
Chapter 5: Currents of Loss
The novel's conclusion, highlighted by the symbolism of water and falling leaves, evokes themes of mortality and the passage of time. The juxtaposition of life and death within the narrative underscores the inevitability of change and loss.
Through the lens of water imagery, Fitzgerald crafts a poignant reflection on existence, encapsulating the transient nature of life and the memories that linger.
Chapter 6: Interfluid Synergy in Art
I urge readers to engage deeply with literature like The Great Gatsby. The multiple readings unveil layers of meaning tied to water imagery, encouraging exploration of the author’s intentions. This intertextuality resonates with the fluid nature of creativity itself, capturing the essence of artistic expression.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through the waters of Fitzgerald's masterpiece. For further insights into Walter Bowne's perspectives, stay tuned for more discussions in The Masterpiece.