Gatsby’s Green Light: Why The Great Gatsby Still Holds Up

by Sophia Caneira ’29 on February 12, 2026

A&E - Literature

April 2025 marked the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The novel, which is still a must-read in high schools, has been adapted into a handful of movies, a Broadway musical, and, more recently, a ballet. Fitzgerald’s most famous work is often remembered for its vivid imagery, poignant dialogue, convoluted characters, and captivating story. 100 years later, it is still considered one of the greatest literary works ever written.

The Great Gatsby follows Nick Carraway, an unreliable narrator who recounts a summer spent on Long Island. During his time in the nouveau-riche West Egg, he meets the mysterious figure Jay Gatsby, who seems more like an idea than a real man. Gatsby is famous for the vibrant parties he holds at his mansion, yet he rarely appears among the throngs of uninvited guests who spread rumors about their host and his hidden past. Nick eventually learns of Gatsby’s obsession with his lost love, Daisy, who is now married to the arrogant Tom Buchanan and lives across the bay in the untouchable old-money East Egg. As the events of the story unfold, Nick begins to realize the true natures of those around him. Ultimately, he finds that Gatsby is the only genuine man among a whole host of shallow, careless people.

At face value, Gatsby’s world in 1922 seems far out of reach, but his story continues to be immensely accessible in the modern day. The Great Gatsby confronts the idea of social mobility, and comments on the American Dream, questioning its validity. Does it exist? Can it really be achieved? Is there something more important? The tragic romance of Gatsby and Daisy remains an element modern audiences can empathize with.

Fitzgerald’s style of writing is itself something worth exploring. One of his greatest strengths is his constant use of subtle symbolism—from the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, to the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, to even the distinct colors of clothing. Every word is intentional with Fitzgerald.

There is something undeniably enchanting about Gatsby’s world; the extravagant culture of the Roaring ’20s, the reunited lovers, and the mystery surrounding the persona of Gatsby. Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 film rendition captured the pomp and circumstance readers imagine. Every shot, every costume, every set piece is glamorous—almost to the point of overstimulation in a few cases. And who better to play the romantic icon than Leonardo DiCaprio?

In its simplest form, The Great Gatsby is a story of hope. Gatsby lived on hope. He died with hope. Perhaps this answers why Gatsby is so beloved, and why the story still holds up today. Hope is something we’ve all encountered. It’s one of those universal human experiences—one that even Gatsby shares. Everyone has their own green light, their own source of hope, blinking through the darkness. It’s easy to put ourselves in Gatsby’s shoes, as readers love to do. His dream is so pure. Innocent, in a way. His preoccupation with the past is a trait many people can relate to.

“Can’t repeat the past?” Gatsby tells Nick. “Why, of course you can.”

The Great Gatsby is terribly sad, and in revisiting Luhrmann’s film, every scene carries the weight of tragedy. But there is something real within that; something very human. There’s a beautiful truth in Gatsby, one that continues to attract new generations of readers.

Every hopeless romantic loves Gatsby. But it’s ironic, isn’t it? Gatsby wasn’t a hopeless romantic at all. In fact, he was quite the opposite: he was hopeful.

Roaring into the ’20s with The Great Gatsby Musical

by Sara Conway on May 6, 2021

A&E - Music

Florence Welch Plans a New Adaptation of the Classic Novel

by Liam O’Hara ’21 A&E Staff

One of the most notable novels in the history of American literature from the Roaring ’20s, arguably of all time, is Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. First published in 1925, the work tells the iconic story of newcomer to New York, Nick Carraway, who befriends Jay Gatsby, a shadowy businessman. The two attend extravagant parties in Gatsby’s mansion as Gatsby pines after his love interest, Daisy Buchanan.

This classic novel has thrilled readers with its lyrical prose and incisive look at the American dream. The 1925 book has also inspired a wide range of films, including, notably, Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 feature starring Leonardo DiCaprio; it has also hit the stage multiple times with shows, an opera, a ballet, and even other adaptations such as an online video game.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORENCE WELCH AND VINCENT HAYCOCK

Florence Welch, lead singer of the indie rock band Florence and the Machine, who also received a Grammy nomination, proposed a plan to write The Great Gatsby: A New Musical. Welch will journey into the Jazz Age for this new musical project; it will be one that will offer up fortune seekers and flappers, rum runners and rich debutantes, self-made men and high society standard bearers. This rendition will provide the spine of a new stage show that is eyeing a Broadway run. There have been rumors that the post-COVID era will be the next “Roaring ’20s,” so Welch seems to be taking it literally. Welch will be working alongside Grammy and Oscar award nominee Thomas Bartlett on the musical aspect of it all. Welch has worked with Bartlett in the past through Florence and the Machine. She has always wanted to take her musical talents to the theatrical world, and Fitzgerald’s classic inspired her to create this new piece of art. Welch commented: “This book has haunted me for a large part of my life. It contains some of my favorite lines in literature. Musicals were my first love, and I feel a deep connection to Fitzgerald’s broken romanticism. It is an honor to have been offered the chance to recreate this book in song.”

Len Blavatnik and Amanda Ghost for Unigram in association with Robert Fox reported that Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok will write the book, and the show will be directed by Olivier Award nominee Rebecca Frecknall. Majok said, “I’m thrilled, honored, and inspired to work with this company of extraordinary artists, and to get to live in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s transcendent and gorgeous words. I’m also overjoyed to be reunited with Rebecca Frecknall, with whom I had the most wonderful experience working on my play, Sanctuary City.”

This musical marks the first major new Broadway-bound musical announced since the start of the pandemic, and it will for sure be coming at the right time. The producers said that they will disclose a pre-Broadway engagement and production timeline shortly. Broadway, here comes The Great Gatsby: A New Musical.