The Great Gatsby - Page 2

Mercutio · 03-14-2004, 12:08 AM

Here is what I heard about the eyes:

The publishers thought they would make a wonderful book-cover (selling tool). Fitzgerald thought it was a crazy, absurd, stupid idea. But the publishers refused to listen to him, after all, it he wanted he could find a different publisher, right? Anyway...Fitzgerald managed to change the text to add the part about the eyes on the billboard to spite the publishers. There isn't supposed to be any symbolism in it.

Linaewen · 03-14-2004, 08:53 AM

What's the source of this information?

I'm a little sceptical because from what I've heard, Fitzgerald was concerned with getting his views about the society across; he doesn't seem like the type to put in something irrelevant just to spite others.

Mercutio · 03-14-2004, 02:26 PM

Source: my mom...her source? I have no idea and right now she isn't here to ask. I'll look into it more, though.

Mercutio · 05-24-2004, 08:22 PM

Ah. I found my source (a book on American Literature and the religiousness/ lack thereof of the authors).

It also said though...like many great writers have decided...that it doesn't matter what the original intent of the book/work/section/idea was. You can look into whatever you think is symbolism, even if (in this case) Fitzgerald didn't think of it as symbolism.

***HOBBIT*** · 05-24-2004, 11:53 PM

woah thats pretty cool, do you have any links to that or could you post the name of the book (publisher, etc) or maybe the passage, old sport?

Mercutio · 05-25-2004, 09:02 PM

The book was "Dismissing God: Modern Writers' Struggle Against Religion," by Dr. Bruce Lockerbie. Maybe if I have time (like tomorrow?) I can type up the passage. It seems to be nowhere online.

03-14-2004, 12:08 AM	#21
Mercutio Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Narnia Posts: 1,656	Here is what I heard about the eyes: The publishers thought they would make a wonderful book-cover (selling tool). Fitzgerald thought it was a crazy, absurd, stupid idea. But the publishers refused to listen to him, after all, it he wanted he could find a different publisher, right? Anyway...Fitzgerald managed to change the text to add the part about the eyes on the billboard to spite the publishers. There isn't supposed to be any symbolism in it. __________________ Mike nodded. A sombre nod. The nod Napoleon might have given if somebody had met him in 1812 and said, "So, you're back from Moscow, eh?". Interested in C.S. Lewis? Visit the forum dedicated to one of Tolkien's greatest contemporaries.

03-14-2004, 02:26 PM	#23
Mercutio Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Narnia Posts: 1,656	Source: my mom...her source? I have no idea and right now she isn't here to ask. I'll look into it more, though. __________________ Mike nodded. A sombre nod. The nod Napoleon might have given if somebody had met him in 1812 and said, "So, you're back from Moscow, eh?". Interested in C.S. Lewis? Visit the forum dedicated to one of Tolkien's greatest contemporaries.

05-24-2004, 08:22 PM	#24
Mercutio Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Narnia Posts: 1,656	Ah. I found my source (a book on American Literature and the religiousness/ lack thereof of the authors). It also said though...like many great writers have decided...that it doesn't matter what the original intent of the book/work/section/idea was. You can look into whatever you think is symbolism, even if (in this case) Fitzgerald didn't think of it as symbolism. __________________ Mike nodded. A sombre nod. The nod Napoleon might have given if somebody had met him in 1812 and said, "So, you're back from Moscow, eh?". Interested in C.S. Lewis? Visit the forum dedicated to one of Tolkien's greatest contemporaries.

05-24-2004, 11:53 PM	#25
*HOBBIT* Saviour of Entmoot Admiral Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.) Posts: 61,986	woah thats pretty cool, do you have any links to that or could you post the name of the book (publisher, etc) or maybe the passage, old sport? __________________ President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares!

05-25-2004, 09:02 PM	#26
Mercutio Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Narnia Posts: 1,656	The book was "Dismissing God: Modern Writers' Struggle Against Religion," by Dr. Bruce Lockerbie. Maybe if I have time (like tomorrow?) I can type up the passage. It seems to be nowhere online. __________________ Mike nodded. A sombre nod. The nod Napoleon might have given if somebody had met him in 1812 and said, "So, you're back from Moscow, eh?". Interested in C.S. Lewis? Visit the forum dedicated to one of Tolkien's greatest contemporaries.

03-14-2004, 08:53 AM	#22
Linaewen Fair Dinkum Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,319	What's the source of this information? I'm a little sceptical because from what I've heard, Fitzgerald was concerned with getting his views about the society across; he doesn't seem like the type to put in something irrelevant just to spite others.

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