The Great Gatsby
In Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood, there is a saying: “I cannot be friends with someone who hasn’t read The Great Gatsby at least three times.” For me, Murakami’s novel represents my younger days—full of passion, yet marked by immaturity. Likewise, The Great Gatsby reflects the story of a young man who harbors a pure and innocent love for his former lover.
In contrast, while Daisy does love Gatsby and enjoys her time with him, she refuses to deny her past with Tom completely. She confesses frankly: “I did love him once—but I loved you too.” Gatsby is devastated by this, realizing he was never Daisy’s only love.
Gatsby remains a boy at heart, yearning for Daisy’s true devotion. Daisy, however, is a practical woman who values the stability of her current life. Boldly, she admits in front of both men that she loved them both.
Gatsby’s tragedy stems from his inability to understand the motives, desires, and flaws of others. Daisy would never abandon her life for him, yet he sacrificed everything for her—because he could not truly see her.
I believe that at some point in life, all of us have been Gatsby: innocent, idealistic, and consumed by love. But through experience, we grow, we let go of our own “Daisy,” and we learn to take better care of ourselves rather than being consumed by others. Perhaps that is why Gatsby continues to resonate so deeply—because he represents the youth we once were.