There are a number of novels that are considered literary classics.
             It is interesting to examine The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald in
             order to determine what makes this book a true classic.
             The Great Gatsby is a story of wealth, murder and broken dreams
             narrated by Nick Carraway, who is both a "skeptic and believer (Hochman)."
             Jay Gatsby is a man with a questionable background who is in love with Tom
             Buchanan's wife, Daisy. Ironically, Tom is himself having an affair with a
             married woman, Myrtle Wilson. When Myrtle is accidentally killed by Daisy,
             Tom's jealously causes him to accuse Gatsby. This accusation ultimately
             leads Gatsby's death by Myrtle's husband George, who then turns the gun
             upon himself. These people and the events in their lives force Nick to
             return to the Midwest where life is honest and simple.
             The Great Gatsby has several memorable characters. Nick Carraway is
             the narrator, whom the reader can identify with and believe due to
             attributes such as honesty, patience, and open-mindedness. Jay Gatsby,
             whose real name is Gatz, is not only a bootlegger, but also a criminal who
             tries to win the love of another man's wife through the purchase of a
             house. Fitzgerald encourages the reader to admire Gatsby due to his dream,
             which Nick calls "some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life
             (Fitzgerald, 6)." Gatsby feels power is only a means of successfully
             winning Daisy. Daisy Fay Buchanan is Gatsby's ultimate dream, however she
             and her husband Tom Buchanan leave the messes in their lives for others to
             clean up. Jordan Baker is Daisy's friend from who Nick gains information
             necessary to tell the story (Abbott).
             F. Scott Fitzgerald's style of writing was influenced by the 1920's
             "political and social context and provides multiple readings of the novel
             (Giltrow)." This is evident in the character of Nick Carraway, who
             narrates the ...