> Mostly because the primary message of the book explained to us by teachers was that it was basically a story about a man who was so deeply in love with a woma

> Mostly because the primary message of the book explained to us by teachers was that it was basically a story about a man who was so deeply in love with a woman who he didn't get to date, he had built great riches and life for himself. And yet none of that extravagant lifestyle could satisfy his desire for her, and it all ends in a tragedy. Something something greed something something green eyes are a symbol of his undying light for her or something. Oof. No wonder. When I read it during high school, my English teacher specifically talked about it as a commentary on the society of the time, especially about class. I still remember him pointing out that Nick was a Yale graduate (he mentions "New Haven" early) and that we needed to keep in mind the perspective the narrator brings to the story - a background shared with Daisy and Tom, but detached due to coming back from the war. Even if I was too young to fully appreciate what the narrator brings to the story, reading with that understanding really gave the book depth, and it was quite clear it wasn't celebrating any of the characters.