Ask Gatsby
Everyone’s got problems, and today I’ve asked readers from all over to share theirs with none other than Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic, idealistic hero from The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. Here he takes time out of his busy schedule to respond to our readers’ everyday issues (with a little help from ChatGPT).
Dear Gatsby,
I'm a high school senior and feeling overwhelmed with college applications. I don’t know which schools to apply to, and my parents are pressuring me to choose something prestigious. How do I make the right decision?
Signed,
Confused in Copenhagen
Dear Confused,
Ah, the pursuit of dreams. Once, I too sought something prestigious, something elusive. It wasn’t a college, but a green light across the bay. I threw grand parties, dazzling spectacles, all for a distant hope. Do not let the pressure of others cloud your vision. The grandeur, the opulence, the whisper of old money, it can all lead you astray. Focus not on the glittering facade, but on the genuine yearning within your soul. Remember, my dear Confused, sometimes the journey itself is the answer, no matter the path you take.
Yours in eternal pursuit,
Jay Gatsby
Dear Gatsby,
I'm a middle-aged office worker, and I feel stuck in my job. I've been passed over for promotions, and I'm starting to lose motivation. What should I do to get ahead?
Signed,
Frustrated in Fredericton
Dear Frustrated,
Stuck in the endless cycle of mediocrity, like a boat against the current. I understand. I too, once felt the pang of not being recognized. Despite my lavish soirées, my wealth, my connections, there remained an insurmountable barrier. The past, that cruel mistress, always beckoned. You, old sport, must create an illusion, an air of mystery. Reinvent yourself, as I did. Don’t let the dullness of your office dim your greatness. You must rise, not through mere promotion, but by crafting a destiny worthy of the legends.
In relentless ambition,
Jay Gatsby
Dear Gatsby,
I'm a stay-at-home mom, and while I love my kids, I feel like I've lost my sense of self. How can I find a balance between being a mom and being me?
Signed,
Lost in Motherhood
Dear Lost,
Balancing the vast expanse of one’s life is like orchestrating a grand gala. Amidst the gaiety, the jazz, the charleston (ah, the charleston) and the clinking of glasses, one can lose oneself. I, too, lost myself in the pursuit of a dream, a woman from the past. Yet, every night, as the revelers departed, I faced the hollow silence alone. Your identity is not lost, merely obscured by the routine. Rekindle that inner flame, throw your own metaphorical soirées. In the midst of caring for others, do not forget to nurture the essence that is uniquely you.
In extravagant introspection,
Jay Gatsby
Dear Gatsby,
I’m a college student who loves contemporary pop culture, and my dream is to become a huge YouTuber but my parents think I should focus more on my studies. How do I convince them that my passions are valid?
Signed,
Pop in Paris
Dear Pop-pop (you don’t mind?),
Ah, passions, the very fuel of existence. Once, I built an empire on the pursuit of a singular passion—a woman, a green light. Your parents, like the guardians of old wealth, may not see the value in the new. Yet, it is the vibrancy, the spirit of the modern age, that keeps life shimmering. Host your own metaphorical soirées on the YouTube, old chap, let them witness the allure of your world. Convince them not with words, but with the sheer brilliance of your unwavering devotion.
In timeless reverie,
Jay Gatsby
Dear Gatsby,
I recently retired and now I find myself bored and without purpose. I've spent my whole life working, and now I don’t know what to do with my time. Any suggestions?
Signed,
Bored in Birmingham
Dear Bored,
The end of a grand era can feel like drifting aimlessly across a sea of monotony. I, too, faced the abyss, the silent nights after the lights dimmed and the guests departed. The key is to fill your days with meaning, not unlike filling a mansion with revelers. Seek out new dreams, no matter how small. Host gatherings, immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of life once more. Purpose is not bound to a single phase; it is ever-evolving, like the tide against my dock. Come by the house some time, we’ll jazz you up!
In perpetual yearning,
Jay Gatsby
Do you have a quandary you’d like some help with? Send me a message and I’ll pass it on to one of our trusty literary protagonists for their advice!