Assignment 1: Something Postmodern

Judy Ibelgauptiene

The Great Gatsby

Nothing New/Nothing OriginalThe Great Gatsby was originally a book published in 1925 about the 20s. It was then made into a film in the 1974 and then remade into a modern film in 2013.

This shows that there are no original ideas as old films are being recycled and remade into more modern versions.However there is a significant difference between the old and new film but generally it is based on the same book.

1974 Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MstmidhHNQ

2013 Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaBVLhcHcc0

Non-linear Narrative

Within The Great Gatsby the narrative jumps between two scenes, past and present.

Nick is the narrator and the film jumps between him being at a sanatorium and his past memories with Gatsby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1uBuQfz9uI

High Art/CultureThe Great Gatsby is seen to have high culture due to its social, political, economical and intellectual elite. It is based in the 1920’s with a theme of the American Dream which meant these elements are important during this era.

High/Low Art

The book itself is high art as it is an important literature studied by many and known by many.

However due to it it being a hybrid this makes it low art as the film has a mixture of genres such as: drama, romance, fiction etc.

Low art is usually a combination of things and nothing pure and it has a mass culture as anyone can access the film at this day and age.

NostalgiaThe Great Gatsby book from 1925’s is nostalgic as it was based on the 20s and released in the 20s so the audience could relate to the book as it was familiar to them.

The two films 1974 and 2013 are also nostalgic as audiences who were alive in the 20s and are watching the film can relate to it as they’ve been through.