Month: March 2022

“I wish for the Senate to be made of the Best Men in Italy not just the Richest Old Men in Rome”

I am currently rewatching Rome and this line from the character of Gaius Julius Caesar, inspired by the historical figure of the same name, resonated with me in relations to the realm of the Great Gatsby. This quote is in response to cries of outrage at the raising of a lowly plebe, a born free man of Rome, being given a place in the Roman Senate.

This line right here is the American Dream, the idea that all men could achieve the greatest of offices in a nation should they be deserving. However, like so many dreams and stories associated with this ideal the machinations of power and greed send this man, Lucius Vorenius, from this seat to a life of crime, depression, and self-loathing after the realm of politics costs him dearly.

“Technoblade: “Let me tell you a story Tommy, a story of a man called Theseus, his country, well a city state technically, was in danger, and he sent himself forward into enemy lines, he slayed the minotaur and saved his city. You know what they did to him Tommy? They exiled him, he died in disgrace, despised by his people, that´s what happens to Heroes Tommy!”

Tubbo: But he saved everyone!”

Technoblade: “The Greeks knew the score, but if you want to be a Hero Tommy, That´s fine…”

Tommy: “Technoblade, don´t do this, we´re so close!”

Technoblade: “If you want to be a hero…”

Tommy: “No one´s the Hero! We got Manberg for–!”

Technoblade: “If you want to be a hero Tommy, THEN DIE LIKE ONE!”

I will not apologize for using a Dream SMP quote because this is just a fact about stories like the Great Gatsby. Good men die with nothing and bad men usually escape. Of course, Jay Gatsby died with nothing so that rule doesn’t apply to everyone.

And yes, you read that correctly. Jay Gatsby is not a hero. Not even close. He made his money from criminal enterprises. Even ignoring that, he attempted to seduce another man’s wife. Even though Tom was a piece of trash, no good act washes out the bad, nor bad the good. Gatsby was no better than Tom by doing this, and yet the novel glosses over this fact due to Nick’s infatuation with Gatsby and his disdain for Tom.

But every story needs a Hero, even if they die in the first act or only appear for the Third. The closest thing to a hero this story has is George Wilson, the avenging fist of God striking down the “man” who killed his wife. And what happens to George in the end? He eats a .38 surprise with his vengeance fulfilled.