The Great Gatsby: The Repercussions of Private Events on Public Lives Alexandra Bayer College

Privacy is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as being the “quality or state of being apart from company or observation,” or “freedom from unauthorized intrusion.” The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald revolves around the theme of privacy, and the question of if what is kept secret – or private – can remain that way. This is demonstrated through Myrtle’s death, triggered and caused by secrets; Gatsby’s huge public parties and the reason behind them; and Nick’s reliability (or unreliability) as a narrator. Through these events, it becomes clear that Nick, perhaps the only character who openly classifies himself as being honest (Fitzgerald 59), is in fact the only one remaining with any semblance of privacy, while all the other characters’ secrets and private ugly businesses end up affecting their public lives and personas. Nick’s sense of honesty contradicts his reality, while Gatsby’s and Tom Buchanan’s private lives end up having very nasty public repercussions.

Myrtle’s death would likely never have happened if she were not engaged in an affair with Tom Buchanan. Although she may not have been happy in her marriage, everything still seemed to be fine because of her husband, George’s, ignorance of her true feelings....