How Did The Great Gatsby Become a Classic?
Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears.
I come to shatter your beliefs about the Great Gatsby.
Calm down!
This is not a critical review of the book, but rather an objective analysis of its evolution to “classic” status.
There’s a backstory you should know.
Let’s Talk About Classic Books
Before I get to that back story, let me explain why I decided to do this post.
On various social media platforms and opinion pieces on multiple news outlets, I’ve read people railing against any change to the required reading list for middle and high school students.
People claim to have pulled their children from public schools in favor of private school or homeschooling because children should only read the classics.
The Status Quo
Here’s something to think about for people committed to maintaining the list of classics read when they were in school. Your list probably wasn’t your grandparent’s list.
The school year is finite. There’s a limited amount of books that can be read and analyzed within ten months.
Students aren’t just reading novels. They’re reading plays, poems, and short stories as well.
When a new book is added to an existing list, one has to be removed. When Gatsby was added another book bit the dust.
What book did Gatsby knock off to get on a school’s list?
Was the preceeding generation aghast at the change?
There isn’t a national standard list. Differerent school districts have different required reading lists.
Authors and books are chosen for a variety of reasons. Nothing is set in stone.
The Classic Books Label
Here’s another question.
What makes a book a classic?
In general, the consensus is: “books that are highly regarded, timeless in theme, and have stood the test of time.”
Well, that’s vague and subjective.
At this point Shakespeare and Aristole qualify, but who else?
Books from past centuries and distant locations are valuable because new generations are exposed to the customs and tone of the times.
Will they endure for another two hundred years? Can today’s students still relate to the language and themes?
BONUS: See reference links at bottom of post for a video about a well-known, much-revered children’s book that was banned by the Brooklyn Public Library for the use of a single word.
By today’s standards, it’s a head-scratcher or laughter inducing (or both).
The History of The Great Gatsby
So now, let’s look at the Great Gatsby.
Would it surprise you to learn that when first published Gatsby was neither a critical or commercial success?
It wasn’t panned by critics, but many believed that it didn’t live up to the quality of Fitzgerald’s previous works.
Upon first release, Gatsby didn’t land on any best-seller list.
After failing to gain traction, the book faded from store shelves and was forgotten.
At the end of 1940, Mr. Fitzgerald went to his grave lamenting the nonachievement of his tome.
It was the not-so Great Gatsby.
A Second Chance
So, what happened?
World War II.
Wait, what?
Yes, that’s correct. The Great Gatsby owes its vaunted position to classic status to the Second World War.
Here’s the short version of what happened.
A group of book publishers, librarians, and authors created the Council on Books in Wartime to provide relaxation to U.S. troops, while also shaping the way they thought about issues and the purpose of the war.
In 1943 after laying dormant for almost two decades, the Great Gatsby was re-edited and republished.
The Armed Services Edition of the book was sent overseas to U.S. servicemembers.
For whatever reason, it resonated with many of the troops. They shared their excitement with family and friends back home.
This produced discussion and reexamination by a new set of critics and the general public.
From there it was off to the races to the top of best sellers list.
It would be several more years before it landed on required school reading lists.
Final Thoughts
Here’s something else to consider when discussing the classics.
Times change – tastes change. Not everyone has the same taste and what’s intriguing today may not be to future generations.
Regardless of how popular a book, movie, or TV show is, it’s not going to appeal to everyone.
Required reading should cross a broad range of themes, cultures, human conditions, etc. while having the potential to provoke thought or resonate with a large segment of its captive audience.
It’s valuable to expose young people to fiction from decades or centuries ago, but contemporary works should also be offered.
To expect the current and future generations to receive an education from the past is not the way forward. Myopia is not the answer.
Let’s keep things in perspective by providing students with a rich tapestry of literature.
Reference Links
13 Classic Books That Weren’t Well Received
Book Bans Aren’t the Only Threat to Literature in American Classrooms
What Word Got Huck Finn Banned in 1905? (Education Unpacked on YouTube)
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