The Great Gatsby Movie Vs Book

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Undeniably, Jay Gatsby feels a strong connection to Daisy in both film and novel versions of The Great Gatsby. However, we receive the impression that Daisy does not reciprocate his feelings as strongly. "He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you,’” (Fitzgerald 109). As we know, Daisy never could leave Tom. Gatsby expected Daisy to forget her life and run into his arms. Nick then confronts Gatsby, telling him he cannot repair the past. To that, Gatsby responds, “Why of course you can. Of course you can. You’ll see. I am going to fix things just the way there were before. Everything’s been so... so confused since then…” (Luhrmann). Gatsby’s expectations are extreme and his reality is distorted …show more content…

For example, Gatsby states in both book and film that he felt married to Daisy even though they only dated for a short summer five years ago. Although both versions of The Great Gatsby state identical ideas, the way the statement is portrayed is vastly different. In the book, Nick narrates Gatsby’s emotions and past. “He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary a “nice” girl could be. She vanished into her rich house, into rich, full life, leaving Gatsby- nothing. He felt married to her, that was all,” (Fitzgerald 149). Gatsby’s obsession with her is sketched out through a detached, impersonal narration. Although it outlines the essential idea that her rejection led to his obsession, it fails to address the meaning behind the words. Alternatively, in the film, the same statement has an entirely different meaning. “You see, I felt married to her... That was all,” (Luhrmann). These words are heard as meaningful and full of love and adoration. Even more, the audience is drawn into Gatsby’s emotions by his body language and tone of voice through the look in his eyes and the passion he speaks with. Essentially, it gives more meaning and definition to Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy and proves further that he genuinely believes he loves the girl

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