Last night we read the final chapter of The Great Gatsby. I found myself feeling sad to flip the next page as I knew this rollercoaster of a story was coming to an end.
At the beginning of this chapter, we are invited to look into the aftermath of Gatsby's death, the funerary arrangements, the handlings of the press, etc. Soon Nick comes to the realization that these responsibilities are left solely to him. As he calls around inviting Gatsby'd "friends" to the funeral Nick comes to grips with the fact that Gatsby didn't have any good friends. Once again we see how lonely and isolated Gatsby truly was, in life and in death. As Nick is trying to handle his newfound responsibilities he is also burdened with the "grotesque, circumstantial, eager, and untrue" press that is swarming Gatsby's home (Fitzgerald 163). The press is soon to print Gatsby's death making Gatsby into some kind of intangible celebrity. Later in the chapter we find out about another one of Gatsby's lies as Mr. Gatz is introduced, Gatsby's not-so-dead father. Towards the end of the chapter, it is evident that the party is now over, Jay Gatsby is dead and reality has overcome the originally fantastical East and West Egg.
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