Fitzgerald is a writer of the Southern tradition that decries the Northern materialistic mantra. Gatsby is a hick from nowhere who attaches himself to a rich m

Fitzgerald is a writer of the Southern tradition that decries the Northern materialistic mantra. Gatsby is a hick from nowhere who attaches himself to a rich man but gets kicked out by the rich man's new wife. An ambitious young man, he improves himself to the point where he becomes a military officer. While in training camp, he meets and falls in love with the beautiful and wealthy Daisy. A WWI hero, Gatsby goes to New York and pursues the American dream of riches. He earns his money through organized crime but still yearns for Daisy. Daisy marries a wealthy man who cheats on her. Anyways, a love triangle ensues and Gatsby ends up getting killed. Daisy blithely goes back to her wealthy but brute of a husband. Traditional analysis says that Fitzgerald's book is a cautionary tale of the corruption-price of the American dream of becoming a self-made man. Another traditional take, is the wealthy elite's stranglehold on power and social status. For me, it was a meh. Gatsby lied, cheated, stole to win his dream girl who only cared about her wealthy life style. Fitzgerald crapped on New York. In the novel, Fitzgerald compared Manhattan to a grotesque surrealist painting. What else is new. Personally, I would choose living in New York over Mississippi or Missouri any day.