Great Gatsby: Great Books Explained
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- čas přidán 3. 05. 2024
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This is a story about the American Dream. No other decade defined America like the 1920s. The country was coming into its own and fulfilling its promise of freedom and prosperity, but already the dream was showing its cracks, and the decade that followed would test America to its very core. One book would serve as a prophetic warning to its audience and still offer a glimmer of hope about the American ideal.
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"What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter
SUBTITLES
I input the English subtitles myself but I rely on volunteers to do subtitles for other languages and I really appreciate it - just contact me at jamespayne33@hotmail.com
Spanish subtitles by Alma Perdomo (Gracias!)
CREDITS
Opening Animation and Title Sequence by Brian Adsit (instagram brian_vfx?... and Behance www.behance.com/badsit88)
Sound Engineer: Robert Lewis
Sound Mix by Oscar Sidoff Rydelius (Thank you!)
ACTOR
Jon L Peacock
jon@jonLpeacock.com
@jonLpeacock (all socials)
Thanks to Richard Farias and James Earle from the brilliant CZcams channel @AmorSciendi
MUSIC
George Gershwin's Rhapsody in blue (1924)
On Bourbon Street
Royalty free Music by Giorgio Di Campo for FreeSound Music
• On Bourbon Street - ro...
FILMS
The Great Gatsby (1926), ©Paramount Pictures
The Great Gatsby (1949), ©Paramount Pictures
The Great Gatsby (1974), ©Paramount Pictures
The Great Gatsby (2013), ©Warner Bros.
All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel do not claim any right over them.
BOOKS
Careless People by Sarah Churchwell
Some sort of epic grandeur by Matthew J. Bruccoli
Some Unfinished Chaos by Arthur Krystal
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Scott Fitzgerald by Andrew Turnbull
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Please don’t forget to ‘like’ and leave a comment (however short), as it REALLY helps promote the channel and means I can produce more content. If you don’t know, my other channel, Great ART Explained can be found here - czcams.com/channels/ePDFpCr78_qmVtpoB1Axaw.html - thanks so much for your amazing support - James
Just wondering, are you going to do to kill a mockingbird by harper lee. In my opinion that is one of the best books of the 20th century.
I’m glad I discovered this channel in it’s infancy.
I’m glad you did too!
@@greatbooksexplained371 Bro your content's rock! Keep up the the good job 👍
there is also a channel called Great Art Explained!
The first few sentences of this novel are so beautiful. This is one of those rare occurrences of a novel being extremely famous but deserving of it.
When I read Gatsby as a high school student (in 1973!) we were told that Daisy’s green light represented hope and renewal. Maybe so, but there is a phrase “green with envy” that I think applies here. Gatsby will NEVER be truly part of the Buchanans’ world. That is what eats at him. He wants Daisy, but he also wants acceptance into that world-that East Egg, old money world-and he will never get it. The message of the book ultimately is “know your place and stay there.” That’s probably not what Fitzgerald intended, but it unfortunately is what Fitzgerald lived and what Gatsby suffered.
@@bobfabiszak16 Oh that's interesting, I was told it was meant the "American Dream + Wanting Diasy" when I read it in my class
I love how you discuss not only the book but also the historical context!
I have read everything I could find by Fitzgerald. I've never read any other author whose words were so brilliantly chosen.
History has never interested me, until now. Well done, loved it❤
Same here. Read everything I could find of Fitzgerald. He is a writer’s writer. His writing is so beautiful. Hemingway, Twain, Faulkner, Steinbeck…all know how to spin a yarn, but Fitzgerald crafts such entrancingly beautiful prose.
How do you all have the stamina? I don't know if I have ADHD or something but I freeze up when I try to read.
@@Amanita._.Verosa._.the more you read the easier it will get. Just 5 pages per day before bed will make it a habit you’ll build on, while also making it easier to fall asleep
You are missing out of one of life's great pleasures!
One of the very few books I was forced to read for university that I actually enjoyed! Also, you once more picked a very talented person to read the quotes!
Thanks 🙏that’s the talented Jon L Peacock
Agree
Weird how it took you until university (unless, I guess, if you're not in the US). Everyone in the US reads it in high school.
@@nl3064 I'm from Vienna, Austria 😂 Here, it's very common to read Faust (by Goethe) and other works written in German before you enter university. The works we read in (our) English (lessons) were usually far more modern ("Slam", "Two Caravans", "The Death of a Superhero", "The Kiterunner",...). I think the oldest books we read were "The Giver" and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". I also got to read "Eveline" by Joyce, but that was in an extra lesson, so I wouldn't count it.
The narrator was imitating Robert Redford from his movie portrayal.
One fascinating thing about Fitzgerald’s novels is that so much of their content is drawn directly from his own experiences in Jazz Age society. His artistic talent as a writer is so emblematic of the flourishes of that era. Many of his short stories are fascinating as well although not as semi-autobiographical as his novels. It’s sad he didn’t live longer.
I absolutely loved the "currency" comparison of Gatsby and Tom. Thanx for posting this one -- I found this novel to be as accessible as Hemmingway, but much more thought inspiring and emotionally disruptive. I still remember learning that popular opinion drove this book into modern classic status, disregarding that initial criticism of the _literati_ , proving that disruption of the establishment was maybe not so out of reach after all, once all those Gatsby-types were working together.
I have to say that Chapter 3, in my opinion, is perhaps the greatest chapter in all of modern literature.
Chapter 3 is a damn good one, that's for sure.
@@michaeld1889 that is actually pretty fair. My disdain for the book should not be extended to those who enjoy it. I will delete my previous comments.
I'd love a series that explores so much of Gatsby, more than a movie. It is such a wonderfully written story. I rank it as high as Great Expectations, if not more.
Hi James! This must be my week for both your channels. On great art explained, you posted Apollo and Daphne (which I requested lol) and now one of my favorite books ever. I never knew the story in some ways mirrored Fitzgerald’s life. Thanks again for another interesting and well researched video!
Keep the suggestions coming!
That's why they tell the authors "Write what you know" most books are versions of the authors life
This was beautifully edited and written, and the narration was top notch. Thank you so much for this, I guess its time for a re-read
We had to do Steinbeck in school instead of this book, so I'm looking forward to learning more about it 😊
Hope you enjoy it!
Literally every American reads it in h.s., along with Steinbeck. What weird school did you go to where it was either or?
@@nl3064 I'm in Northern Ireland, so we had to do some UK material as well (in our case, An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley- fantastic play)
Yes, I did Steinbeck too ( along with numerous Classics). But have read Fitz books since
We did Steinbeck too (though I'm not American we were Welsh). We did "Of Mice and Men", "Holes", "Heroes", "Romeo and Juliet", "An Inspector Calls" and "MacBeth". I do believe the final paper was "Of Mice and Men" though.
I read this book a while ago but didn't understand it that well. Thanks so much for the straightforward explanation. Keep up the good work :)
You're very welcome!
Incredible video, gets to the point of Fitzgerald's disillusion which I believe we all experience one way or another as we grow up and face reality. In some places people come to this realization a little earlier, and in others places, a little later in life. No matter where, though, the transition between childhood's stupor in fantasy must confront and ackowleedge that dreams belong in a place separate from reality.
Great comment - thanks 🙏
Extraordinarily well done video in all aspects. The visuals, narratives, literary analyses and overall presentation were superb! I was glad you stressed how poetic Fitzgerald’s work is, the books he actually read, and that he was a real wordsmith. Thank you from Portugal.
Great video James. The arial shot at 12:26 is of the University of Missouri where I go to school. I've watched many of your videos on the art channel in those buildings!
That’s so cool!
You perfectly explained this novel, everlasting symbol, living monument of the American culture; your comment is like a perfect bookmark in my reading memories. Thank you so much!
loved the video. When I was in high school, we watched both great Gatsby movies. both are pretty good. the one with Dicaprio really shows the how extreme the roaring 20's were. While the one in the 70's shows the book as it is
I agree ☝️
Great video! I never noticed the many references to time, except for the great final line of the novel. Nick is a perfect narrator, because he was a part of the scene, but is telling the story years later, when his opinions of the participants and events has changed and matured. As he tells the story, he already knows what happened and the novel is infused with nostalgia and melancholy.
You can learn a lot about The Great Gatsby through Fitzgerald’s short stories. Of the Gatsby cluster of short stories, Winter Dreams is my favorite. It’s like Fitzgerald testing the waters so to speak of his Gatsby novel masterpiece.
I enjoy both your channels. I discovered Great Art Explained this summer, and I was instantly hooked!
I always learn something from your videos.
Awesome! Thank you!
I've been such a big fan of your other channel for years now, and when I realized you had made another one just for literature (which is my biggest passion) I was ecstatic. Thanks so much, and please never stop
Thanks for another great episode James, something i noticed was the outro "By James Payne and Daniel Cobb", I'm guessing Daniel helps you put together these fantastic YT videos so big thanks to him as well for their efforts. I am not a big reader, in fact it has been many years since i read a full book but loved learning about this cultural history in way that is passionate and not over my head as well as being very beautiful visually)
Yes Daniel is the scripts co-writer! Thanks 🙏
The book that made me fall in love with literature. Great video as always
Thanks 🙏
Love this! You bring to light all the layers of the book I missed when reading it a few years ago. You must lead a very intellectual life.
Great job. I was always confused by the Smokey ash piles they pass, driving from West Egg to (and back from) Manhattan. Then I found out that Flushing Meadow park (in Queens) was once a dump - where ashes were dumped during a the Gatsby era. They would have driven right past it.
We had some of that in the draft, but cut it for time. So interesting!
@@DanielCobb86 Feel free to post some uncut videos, I will seriously sit and watch it on my TV. I love documentaries, and I know I'm not alone in saying that!
Thank you ! Both of your you tube channels contain so so much for me to ponder on and time spent on them is never time wasted.
I didn’t think your videos could get any better than the art videos but here we are! Such great content! Thank you for your work ❤
Another wonderful video, James, thank you. And yet another book to put on my re-read pile - it is getting perilously tall now!
New to the channel, it was wonderfully explained not only the book its self but the history behind it . The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite stories I really enjoyed this analysis of it ❤😊
You put a lot of work into this and it shows. Great art and music through out. Thank for doing these. Superb!❤ 👏👏👏
One of my all time favourite books and you did it justice once again 👏 loved your analysis of the poetry and time imagery. I always come away from your videos with a fresh take on things to explore further. Keep up the good work 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it!
This channel had a great impact on me and introduced me to literature. Thank you so much. These videos help me appreciate and enjoy the works.
Had to wait a full day before i had time to listen and watch this amazing short documentary. Thank you GBE.
For me the moral of the story is don't let someone you love who dosent really love you back run you to the ground.
Thanks for the video as always. I'm sure the book isn't so far fetched from the reality of the authors personal love life.
Wow, I always learn so much from your videos (both here and on the art channel). May I suggest an analysis on "Peter Pan"? I love that book and feel that there are so many hidden symbolisms in it...
Excellent video as always. I knew nothing about The Great Gatsby before this video, very interesting to watch and learn. Keep up the great work.
This channel is awesome. Getting into literature after hating reading my whole life. Very excited to see what books you will cover next
One of my favorite books of all time
Thank you for supplying this great, free video and content!
Loved this film. One of your best. Really loved the narration too the actor has a great voice. Great script by Daniel Cobb too congratulations
Thanks 🙏
The way you approached this book thematically was very moving for me.
Incredibly important channel ! Thank you for your work !
These book videos are turning out fantastic as well. Gatsby is a poetic masterpiece and you did it justice with this. A lot of insight and well chosen passages. Thanks again. "Cape Cod Afternoon" by Hopper is one of my favorite paintings. You have the best taste.
Thank you so much!
Its so good to watch your well-crafted videos. I keep waiting for more content on your channels. All the best to you :)
Thank you so much!
I am so appreciative of this channel! Thank you!
I love both of your channels. I find myself really wishing there were more videos, I love literature. Of course I understand this channel is fairly new and not the only one you are running, so a feverish desire for new material is probably one of the best compliments I can give you. Keep up the amazing work
New one out now!!
Appreciate your insights. The classics are classics for a reason and your interpretations add to these brilliant works. Thank you.
Thank you for covering my favorite novel. It was beautifully done. 👏
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! Thanks for tackling my favorite literary work of all time!
Your videos are masterpieces in themselves. I rewatch and rewatch and always enjoy!
Glad you like them!
Outstanding documentary with exceptional insights. Please create more of them! 😊
I sat there stunned❤ ..... For a good 10 minutes this beautiful narration ran my head❤
Concise, yet thorough explanation against the background of a superb narration. 👏
This channel is pure gold.
I have barely started to watch the video... And I am already here to give a 'like', and leave a 'comment'. Just to support your channel.
I appreciate that
@@greatbooksexplained371 Greetings from an island in southern Brazil...
I see a new video of yours and I immigrated click. Love both your channels as they are so informative and well executed. Cheers from Israel 🇮🇱
Thanks 🙏
thank you for your channel and to review one of my favourite books
One of my favourite books to study at school! Thank you so for this video!
Fantastic video! Thank you for talking about this incredible book and story
Another great video. Both of your channels are outstanding. Bravo!
Great as always. Thank you for your work.
Being a philistine of sorts, I knew nothing of _The Great Gatsby_ (except that Tom and Daisy were “careless people” who “let other people clean up the mess they had made” after they “smashed up things and creatures”) so I loved this video! The writing (yours, not Fitzgerald’s) is so precise and evocative but somehow I liked the use of Tamara de Lempicka’s Art Deco portraits most of all-they fit perfectly, which probably should be no surprise since your day job is explaining Great Art.
3:19 “A heartbroken Fitzgerald was asked to leave Princeton in his junior year of college and he joined the army in the hope of becoming a hero.”
That sentence, with its phrase “asked to leave Princeton,” was intriguing. Why? Fitzgerald wasn’t just an indifferent student at Princeton, he was, according to the official Princeton archives, “one of the worst students in his class,” getting mostly 4s and 5s (the equivalent of Cs and Ds in terms of the later grading system in the US) and never getting higher than a B+ in his English classes. (Gore Vidal described Fitzgerald at Princeton as “barely literate.”) So he was on academic probation and the handwriting was on the wall. But he also had a health problem, which, at the time, he thought was malaria (which was, according to one biography of Fitzgerald, “more or less endemic at that time in Princeton”) but which he, a decade later, thought was tuberculosis. So he prevailed upon the dean to write a letter that his departure from Princeton was due to “ill health,” not lousy grades. In fact, he never actually graduated from Princeton and was given an honorary degree from the university a century after he left.
And one account says that, Fitzgerald, depressed over his rejection by Ginerva King, enlisted in the army hoping to die in battle and achieve some posthumous fame, which puts a different spin on his hope of “becoming a hero.”
It's almost 12am here in india but whenever James posts, I'll watch the video
Thanks 🙏
@@greatbooksexplained371 always
What an amazing coincidence, I just finished reading Gatsby several days ago.
It was such a luscious joy to read. Every chapter dripping with beautiful imagery and hard truths.
I read it slowly over several weeks, as each chapter felt like drinking brandy with my eyes.
Truly a sensory and hearty classic for the ages, jazz or otherwise.
:):)
A few pages in to this book and is is difficult not to admit you are in the presence of genius!
Terrific analysis! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and information,
As with all your videos: a valuable contribution to those of us that long for deeper insights. ❤
Great use of rhapsody in blue 🎉
Thank you for your video. I didn't really understand why this book has was considered such a classic when I first read it. The story still doesn't speak to me but I'm glad to learn more about it.
Thank you for making these!
Hooray hooray! Another video! I love watching your channels at the gym. Time flies on the treadmill!
Enjoy - and don’t fall off the treadmill!
I love your videos! I would really love to see an analysis of a book like Wuthering heights or Anna Karenina
Great suggestions!
"Jane Eyre" is another great book.
Your videos crush anything on netflix, keep it up! Please! 😅
Wonderful video, thank you James. Fitzgerald's prose is so damn beautiful, it brings hope for aspiring writers that it can approached by reading the Romantics.
PS: I just finished reading The Naked and the Dead, so as per your opening, would LOVE for a video on that epic.
Excellent collaboration!
Oh no, you have book analysis now... I'm hooked!l...again!
As a western US poor kid, i rejected this book on principle. I already knew through experience what the book wanted to teach.
I ended up reading it because of Hunter S. Thompson and then, once more, because of Kate Beaton's comics.
Sometimes it's good to be wrong and i ended up really appreciating it. It didn't end up on my bookshelf, but I'm glad I read it.
A real treat this drizzly, dark, Tuesday morning. Super deluxe graphics and your clear engaged narrative. So glad I am poor..
History has never interested me, until now. Well done!
I'm hoping you eventually get to other genres. I'd be stoked if you'd cover something like Herbert's Dune. Very cool series. Dig both your channels. Thanks for sharing your zest towards these projects. Cheers 🥂
Great suggestion!
I love learning with this channel 😊
This is a terrific series. I hope there are more episodes to come!
New one this Friday!
Just discovered your channel. Excellent content and analysis. Thank you.
Much appreciated!
So happy to see your new channel!
The CC Spanish translation is superb!
Excellent!
¡Muchas gracias!
Amazing video. Looking forward to the next one!!!
Fantastic video, wish there were more channels like this!
One of your slides states Scott was at Nardin Academy in the Midwest. Nardin is a prestigious grade school in Buffalo NY. We are very proud that he spent sometime there
Can we have more books soon please:) enjoy the great art explained also
Love your book analysis as well as the art videos. I'm a fan.
Awesome, thank you! 🙏
Great video as always, James!
Thank you, James!
I would love to hear an audiobook read by the VA behind the quotes... such a lovely voice and expression
This book is probably ingrained with me more than I understand.
Gatsby’s longing for something that cannot be and the social forces that cause it. And the evils of money. It really is the recreational drug nobody is prepared to discuss let alone admit to.
I’ve always perceived the eyes as self-judgement, what greater god is there than your own moral compass?
Great comment thanks 🙏
Oustanding analysis, thank you so much!
Thank you so much for doing these!
Glad you like them!
Incredible channel. So well made
This, perhaps more than anything else I've read, has given me different reading experiences each time I read it.