In the book, Gatsby’s death brings an end to the story and a lasting legacy for his name for readers for decades. However, would the legacy have been as triumphant if Gatsby lived the ordeal?
I think that The Great Gatsby would not have been as long lasting in legacy if Gatsby had lived. His funeral serves as a lesson that true friends don’t come from money. It gives the tale a moral. Without this, the book wouldn’t be able to have as bold an ending. I think that it would dampen the societal implications that FSF was trying to push out there. The Great Gatsby would just be another book. It would be just another love/ drama book. Gatsby’s death is the only true ending the book could have to serve its purpose in storytelling. However, what would happen if Gatsby was not killed by Wilson?
I don’t think that Gatsby would ever succeed in any version of the story. Let’s say Wilson couldn’t kill Gatsby. Gatsby was always doomed to fail for the start. However, I think that if he wouldn’t have died, that he would have more of a falling out with Daisy. I think Daisy would still stay with Tom. At this time, the divorce rate was around 0.15% (US Marriage & Divorce Rate), and looked down upon heavily in society. This would not look good for the reputation that Tom and Daisy had. I think that Daisy would ultimately end up leaving Gatsby. This would leave Gatsby alone once again. This would work relatively well for the wrap up of the story and the implied morals, but it wouldn’t be as impactful of an ending. I think Gatsby needed to die to keep the legacy of the book.
US Marriage & Divorce Rate, https://robslink.com/SAS/democd80/us_divorce_and_marriage.htm. Accessed 23 February 2025.