The Great Gatsby

 

1. How did the film capture the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties , the Flappers and the Prohibition Act  of America in 1920s??

The film industry played a significant role in capturing the spirit of the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties, the flappers, and the Prohibition Act in America during the 1920s. Hollywood films of the time depicted the excesses and rebellious attitudes of the era, creating a visual representation of the cultural changes occurring in America.

One way that films captured the spirit of the Jazz Age was through their portrayal of music and dance. Jazz music, which originated in African American communities, became popular among all classes and races during the 1920s. Hollywood films incorporated jazz music and dance routines into their productions, creating a visual representation of the energy and vitality of the era.

The Roaring Twenties was also a time of social change, particularly in terms of gender roles. Flappers, young women who rebelled against traditional gender norms by wearing short dresses, smoking, drinking, and dancing, became a symbol of the era. Hollywood films often featured flappers as central characters, showcasing their independence and confidence.

The Prohibition Act, which banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in America from 1920 to 1933, was another defining feature of the 1920s. Films of the era often depicted illegal alcohol consumption, creating a romanticized image of speakeasies and underground parties.

In summary, Hollywood films of the 1920s captured the spirit of the Jazz Age, the Roaring Twenties, the flappers, and the Prohibition Act by incorporating music and dance, depicting rebellious young women, and showcasing illegal activities like alcohol consumption. These films became a reflection of the cultural changes occurring in America at the time and continue to shape our understanding of the era today.

2.Difference between the film and novel in movie The Great Gatsby 

The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which was adapted into a film multiple times. The most popular adaptation was the 2013 film directed by Baz Luhrmann. While the movie stays relatively faithful to the novel, there are some key differences between the two.

Narration: The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, whereas the movie has an omniscient narrator who is not a character in the story.

Timeframe: The novel is set in the summer of 1922, while the movie is set in the summer of 1929.

Tone: The novel has a more introspective and melancholic tone, whereas the movie has a more energetic and vibrant tone.

Characterizations: In the novel, the character of Gatsby is more enigmatic and mysterious, whereas the movie portrays him as more charismatic and outgoing. Similarly, the character of Daisy is more complex and conflicted in the novel, while the movie portrays her as more shallow and selfish.

Ending: The ending of the movie differs from the novel in a significant way. In the novel, the reader is left to interpret the events that unfold, whereas the movie presents a more definitive conclusion.

Overall, while the movie does capture the essence of the novel, it does deviate from the source material in some ways. However, these changes can be seen as a way to modernize the story and make it more accessible to contemporary audiences.

3. How did the film help in misunderstanding the symbolic significance of 'The Valley of Ashes', 'The Eyes of T.J.Ekleberg' and 'The Green Light' ?

The Valley of Ashes is a desolate wasteland located between West Egg and New York City in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby." It symbolizes the moral decay and corruption of the wealthy elite who live in West Egg and East Egg, and their disregard for the plight of the working-class people who live in the Valley of Ashes.

The Eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are a pair of faded, billboard-sized eyes that overlook the Valley of Ashes. They symbolize the moral and spiritual emptiness of the wealthy elite, who have abandoned traditional values and embraced materialism and hedonism.

The Green Light is a symbol of Gatsby's unattainable dream of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. It represents the illusion of the American Dream and the idea that success and happiness can be achieved through wealth and status.

In some film adaptations of "The Great Gatsby," these symbols may be portrayed differently or with less emphasis, leading to a possible misunderstanding of their significance. For example, a film might downplay the Valley of Ashes or the Eyes of T.J. Eckleburg, or give less attention to the Green Light, leading viewers to miss the symbolic meaning behind these elements. Additionally, some films might interpret these symbols in a way that differs from the novel, which could also contribute to a misunderstanding of their significance.

4. How did the film capture 'The Great Gatsby' theme of racism and sexism?

The film adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" directed by Baz Luhrmann in 2013 captured the themes of racism and sexism through several elements of the film.

One of the ways the film captures racism is through the character of Tom Buchanan. Tom is portrayed as a racist, who frequently makes derogatory comments about people of color, particularly African Americans. In the film, there is a scene where Tom takes Nick to meet his mistress, Myrtle, who is of a different race. Tom treats Myrtle and her friends disrespectfully, using racial slurs and treating them as inferior. This scene highlights the prevalent racism of the time, particularly among the wealthy class, and shows how it was ingrained in society.

The film also portrays sexism through the character of Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is depicted as a woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage and is forced to comply with her husband's expectations. She is often objectified by the male characters and is expected to conform to the societal norms of the time. In one scene, Daisy is shown crying after her husband confronts her about her affair with Gatsby. This scene highlights the double standards of the time, where men could have affairs without repercussions, while women were judged and condemned for the same behavior.

Furthermore, the film portrays the objectification of women through the party scenes. Women are shown as objects of desire, wearing revealing clothing and dancing provocatively. They are treated as commodities by the male characters, who use them for their own pleasure without regard for their feelings or well-being. This highlights the sexist attitudes prevalent in the society of the time and the objectification of women that was considered acceptable.

The film adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" captures the themes of racism and sexism through its portrayal of characters, scenes, and societal norms. It highlights the prevalent attitudes of the time and shows how they impacted individuals and society as a whole.

5. Nick Carraway as a narrator in The Great Gatsby.

Nick Carraway serves as the primary narrator of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. As the novel's narrator, Nick provides insight into the characters and events that unfold in the story.

Nick is a young man from the Midwest who moves to New York to work in the bond business. He rents a small house in West Egg, Long Island, next to the mansion of the wealthy and enigmatic Jay Gatsby. Through his friendship with Gatsby, Nick becomes entangled in the lives of Gatsby and his circle of friends, including the beautiful but shallow Daisy Buchanan, her husband Tom, and their mutual friend Jordan Baker.

As a narrator, Nick is a reliable and observant character who provides an objective perspective on the events of the story. He is also a moral character who is often critical of the excesses and shallowness of the wealthy elite that he encounters. However, Nick is not without his own flaws, and he struggles with issues of morality and ethics throughout the novel.

One of the key strengths of Nick's narration is his ability to convey the complexities of Gatsby's character. Gatsby is a notoriously elusive character who is often seen as a symbol of the American Dream. However, Nick's narration reveals the depths of Gatsby's longing for the past and his desire to recapture the love of his life, Daisy. Nick's narration also highlights the tragic consequences of Gatsby's obsession with the past and his attempts to build a new life for himself.

Overall, Nick Carraway serves as an effective and nuanced narrator in The Great Gatsby. His narration provides an insightful and complex portrayal of the characters and events of the novel, while also raising important questions about the nature of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth and privilege.

6. Psychoanalytic study of Jay Gatsby and about  his character.

According to psychoanalytic theory, human behavior is influenced by unconscious desires and impulses. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, believed that our personalities are shaped by our experiences in childhood and the ways in which we cope with conflicts and desires.

In the case of Jay Gatsby, it can be argued that his desire to become wealthy and successful is driven by unconscious feelings of inadequacy and a need for validation. Gatsby grew up in poverty and had humble beginnings, which made him feel inferior to the wealthy elite. He developed a deep desire to be accepted by high society and to win the love of Daisy Buchanan, his former lover.

Gatsby's obsession with Daisy can also be seen as a manifestation of his unconscious desires. He idealizes her and believes that she represents everything he desires in life: wealth, status, and happiness. However, his idealization of Daisy is also a defense mechanism that allows him to avoid facing the reality of their relationship and the obstacles that stand in the way of their reunion.

Gatsby's extravagant parties can be seen as a way of compensating for his feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. By throwing these parties, he creates an illusion of grandeur and opulence that allows him to feel powerful and important. However, this facade of success is ultimately hollow and unfulfilling, as it does not bring him the acceptance and love that he craves.

In conclusion, a psychoanalytic study of Jay Gatsby reveals that his character is driven by unconscious desires and impulses. His obsession with wealth and success, his idealization of Daisy, and his extravagant parties are all manifestations of his inner conflicts and insecurities. By understanding the underlying motivations of Gatsby's behavior, we can gain a deeper appreciation for his character and the themes of the novel as a whole.