Communism, old sport?
by faye daigle
In 1925, American author F. Scott Fitzgerald published his third novel entitled The Great Gatsby, a book that would go on to be considered one of the greatest pieces of modern literature. The story is that of a man known as Jay Gatsby who rises to wealth and prominence as to regain the lost love of his youth. Underneath its glittery surface, The Great Gatsby conveys a bold social commentary on the life and death of the American Dream and on the classes that divide our country. In 1848, German political theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published an influential manuscript called The Communist Manifesto which argued against capitalism and for the equality of opportunity. The question therefore lies: would Marx believe in the green light?
The Communist Manifesto serves as a testament of that which Marx believed politically as well as ethically. In the first chapter, he establishes the roles of the oppressor and oppressed throughout history and how they effect each other. The latter he calls the Proletariat or the working class of society and the former he calls the bourgeoisie or the typically wealthy class that opposes the proletariat. Marx proposes that one day the working class will rise and take down their oppressor, resulting in the chance at equal opportunity for all.
In his classic novel, Fitzgerald sheds light into each corner of New York , from the loud and vibrant West Egg to the subdued but more fashionable East Egg. In between two worlds where anything seems possible and where anyone can rise to greatness, there lie a third forgotten class bound by the chains of oppression and poverty. The Valley of Ashes, where George and Myrtle live amongst the smoke and dust left by the wealthy, in a way represents Marx’s proletariat . These individuals in Fitzgerald’s eyes are the gears that turn within the clock of the rich never allowed to move or escape their position. They are hidden by the glamour of those such as Gatsby or the power of those such as Tom Buchanan. It is this very oppression that Marx found to be the source of injustice in modern industrial governments.
If Marx were to open The Great Gatsby, he would automatically find an excerpt that would please him, stating: “‘Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had”’. Communism is almost entirely founded on the belief that all people should be given equal opportunities in the pursuit of success. However, as was seen in the contrasting settings of the novel, such equality was not prevalent in Fitzgerald’s world. Although the story focuses on the capitalist society which grew after the first World War, Fitzgerald makes a point to strongly criticize the wealthy along with their lavish lifestyle. Marx too would most likely frown upon Gatsby’s parties where those with money waste it on alcohol and debauchery. In his short story entitled “The Rich Boy”, Fitzgerald quotes: “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical...”. On this topic, Marx would agree with Fitzgerald wholeheartedly, his support of the Proletariat in line with the latter’s sympathy for the lower class.
For Jay Gatsby, the blinking green light across the bay represented that which he wanted most in life- the woman he loved who represented all that was beautiful. Marx’s ‘green light’ would be the promise of a Communist society in which all could be equal and in which the Proletariat could rise above oppression. Gatsby's dream was always unattainable, but he never lost his ‘extraordinary gift for hope’. Marx would similarly keep his hope for a better world, even when his plans would be tried and failed. To believe in the seemingly impossible is what makes us good, but to never give up in our beliefs is what truly makes us great.
The Communist Manifesto serves as a testament of that which Marx believed politically as well as ethically. In the first chapter, he establishes the roles of the oppressor and oppressed throughout history and how they effect each other. The latter he calls the Proletariat or the working class of society and the former he calls the bourgeoisie or the typically wealthy class that opposes the proletariat. Marx proposes that one day the working class will rise and take down their oppressor, resulting in the chance at equal opportunity for all.
In his classic novel, Fitzgerald sheds light into each corner of New York , from the loud and vibrant West Egg to the subdued but more fashionable East Egg. In between two worlds where anything seems possible and where anyone can rise to greatness, there lie a third forgotten class bound by the chains of oppression and poverty. The Valley of Ashes, where George and Myrtle live amongst the smoke and dust left by the wealthy, in a way represents Marx’s proletariat . These individuals in Fitzgerald’s eyes are the gears that turn within the clock of the rich never allowed to move or escape their position. They are hidden by the glamour of those such as Gatsby or the power of those such as Tom Buchanan. It is this very oppression that Marx found to be the source of injustice in modern industrial governments.
If Marx were to open The Great Gatsby, he would automatically find an excerpt that would please him, stating: “‘Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had”’. Communism is almost entirely founded on the belief that all people should be given equal opportunities in the pursuit of success. However, as was seen in the contrasting settings of the novel, such equality was not prevalent in Fitzgerald’s world. Although the story focuses on the capitalist society which grew after the first World War, Fitzgerald makes a point to strongly criticize the wealthy along with their lavish lifestyle. Marx too would most likely frown upon Gatsby’s parties where those with money waste it on alcohol and debauchery. In his short story entitled “The Rich Boy”, Fitzgerald quotes: “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical...”. On this topic, Marx would agree with Fitzgerald wholeheartedly, his support of the Proletariat in line with the latter’s sympathy for the lower class.
For Jay Gatsby, the blinking green light across the bay represented that which he wanted most in life- the woman he loved who represented all that was beautiful. Marx’s ‘green light’ would be the promise of a Communist society in which all could be equal and in which the Proletariat could rise above oppression. Gatsby's dream was always unattainable, but he never lost his ‘extraordinary gift for hope’. Marx would similarly keep his hope for a better world, even when his plans would be tried and failed. To believe in the seemingly impossible is what makes us good, but to never give up in our beliefs is what truly makes us great.