Drinking

Drinking is more of a central theme in The Great Gatsby than in any book I've ever read. This is due in large part to prohibition occuring in the same era. As with many things, when something is denied, you tend to want it more. You don't necessarily truly have a stronger desire for it, but its allure is greater when you have to "rip the system" to get it. This most certainly can be applied to alcohol during prohibition. When the government enacted this measure, their aim was to eliminate the severe drinking problem in the U.S., but it instead made drinking a more central part of society. The three chapters of the book so far have been entirely centered around parties. And especially at the latter two, the alcohol has been flowing freely. Even Nick, who gives off an impression of innocence, seems to show some pride in getting drunk for the second time in his life at Myrtle's apartment, and then proceeds to do it again (although not quite to the same extent) at Gatsby's party. Drinking seems to be a central part of everybody's life, at least the wealthy people we have come in contact with so far. The man in the library has been "drunk for a week" and although he is attempting to "sober up" he is clearly failing miserably. Then there are the two drunk women begging there husbands to stay longer because they're "always the first ones to leave" even though at that point in the party, the majority of the guest were gone. These two had to literally be carried out of Gatsby's house. Finally, there is the man who wrecks his car and takes off a tire but assumes he has simply run out of gas and only needs to get to a gas station. But in the midst of all this drunkenness, Gatsby seems to remain entirely sober. This just adds to the mystery surrounding Fitgerald's title character. He is almost above human desire, able to withstand the allure of alcohol and remain sober while every one around him succumbs to it. Nick notices this in Gatsby as well and finds it incredibly interesting. There is omething about the way Gatsby carries himself that fascinates Nick and this sobriety may be a part of it. "I wondered if the fact that he was not drinking helped set him off from his guests, for it seemed to me that he grew more correct as the fraternal hilarity increased" (50). Not only is Gatsby able to withstand the temptation of alcohol, but he is able to offset the increasing drunkenness of his guests by becoming more level headed.