The Daily 100 Years of ‘The Great Gatsby’
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Jul 25, 2025 
A.O. Scott, a critic at large for The New York Times Book Review, dives into the 100-year legacy of 'The Great Gatsby.' He unpacks how this once-overlooked novel became a cornerstone of American literature. The discussion touches on themes of wealth, aspiration, and identity, showcasing Jay Gatsby's complex character as he represents the American dream's darker sides. Scott reflects on the book's cultural significance, its impact on education, and how its enduring appeal continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.
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Gatsby's Rise to Canonical Status
- A.O. Scott describes how The Great Gatsby was initially an overlooked book before becoming the great American novel.
- The book's evolving significance mirrors how decades later, readers still see themselves in its pages.
Gatsby as American Mirror
- The Great Gatsby acts like a mirror or Rorschach blot reflecting American identity's complexity.
- It resonates because it taps into an elusive idea of America seen from inside and out.
Gatsby's Initial Failure
- Gatsby was critically panned and commercially unsuccessful when first published in 1925.
- This failure deeply affected Fitzgerald, who never fully recovered before his death.
