It has come to my attention that Hollywood has pieced together a new and modernized take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s charismatic American novel “The Great Gatsby.” It only just came out in theaters last week and my mom has seen it twice, so it must be decent. I’m out of luck, at least until they either allow dogs like me to the movies or it comes out on DVD and I can watch it in the comfort of my favorite spot on the couch.
In the meantime, my thoughts turn to the words that make up the original story penned by Fitzgerald all those years ago. I won’t spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read the book or seen one of the many film adaptations, but I will share what is most meaningful to me.
The story is romantic to the core, featuring the undying love of Mr. Jay Gatsby as shared with readers through the eyes of Nick Carraway. To me, the vision of this man is one of the most powerful written demonstrations of real hope. Determination. Vision.
Gatsby was not afraid to dream as big as the sky. Failure was never an option through his imaginative perspective. Instead, he kept his eyes on the prize, the green light that marked his destination. The green light of hope.
“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us,” Fitzgerald writes. “It eluded us then, but that’s no matter–tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…. And one fine morning– So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
At some point in our lives, we are all born into our past. We are afforded that rare second chance to do things better. To dream bigger. To effect change. Above all, I see our journey toward the green light as one that seeks progress over perfection.
“How much of our lives is frittered away-spoiled, spent or sullied- by our neurotic insistence on perfection?” Sarah Ban Breathnach writes in Simple Abundance. “Today accept that perfection is unattainable.”
Instead we find hope in second chances. Instead we believe in the green light and are borne ceaselessly into the past. Instead, old sport, we dream as big as the sky.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Nice, Wiley! You almost persuade me to read and/or watch the film. There was a period of my life where I experienced someone’s else’s life experience for what felt like the whole night of dreaming, which can be a very long time in dreamland. One was as a Holocaust victim and the other was during the roaring 20’s – both very strong dreams and still very strong in my memory and impressed on my bones. Best ~ HuntMode
Wow – what impressive dreams you’ve had! I would definitely suggest reading the book over seeing the movie, or at least before seeing the movie. That’s the only way to go. 😉
Mom always dreams as big as the sky – for herself AND on my behalf. When she teaches me things that are difficult to learn and I blow it time after time, she tells me I’ll do better tomorrow. And then on one of the tomorrows – I DO!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
C,
Your mom knows where its at. Dreaming as big as the sky for her and you! How lucky you are to have each other. I will take to heart your words about doing better tomorrow. We can do anything we put our little doggie minds to! Lots of love, dear Cupcake.
W
The Great Gatsby. Slow and Pretty were at the University of South Carolina Library Friday night and saw an entire collection of The Great Gatsby paperbacks and hardbacks displayed in a large case. Must have been a hundred copies on display. One had belonged to Sylvia Plath. Interesting. Made me want to catch the new film.
Wow, that sounds like a pretty special collection! I’m not sure mom owns a copy or if she read it from the library, but now I think I know what to get her for her birthday in July. 😉 Also, from what I can tell, it sounds like the movie is good, but perhaps a little too modernized in some ways. Worth seeing on the big screen, though!
I like dreams which are as big as the sky – specially dreams about food :o) I hope we all will have the green light of hope. Always. Have a wonderful sunday :o)
I too have an occasional food dream along with all the other ones. Aren’t dreams neat? To you and your green light, friend!
Beautifully put my friend…I LOVE the book and haven’t seen the new movie yet, will probably wait till video comes out…Since your mommy has seen it twice I feel very reassured that it is well done!!!! Hugs and love always sent your way wise friend!!!!
Thank you, my dear friend! Hugs and love right back at you! 🙂
I loved the book and I found the first attempt to film it, starring Robert Redford, interesting. I have not seen the current version but I am a Baz Luhrmann fan. We shall see.
You’ve got good taste! 🙂 Yes, if you are a Baz Luhrmann fan, you’re in luck, as my mom has seen it twice already. 😉
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Born back, ceaselessly, into the past.