Who is Michaelis in The Great Gatsby?
Introduction
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic novel set in the roaring twenties in New York City and Long Island. The story revolves around the mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and his obsession with winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. However, the enigmatic figure of Michaelis is a pivotal character in the novel, often overlooked by readers. In this article, we will delve into the mystery surrounding Michaelis and explore his significance in the Great Gatsby.
Background Information
Michaelis is not explicitly mentioned in any of the novel’s published versions. However, in the 2004 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann, Michaelis is portrayed as Gatsby’s son, although his exact relationship to Gatsby is unclear. This raises questions about Michaelis’s existence and significance in the novel.
Mention in Text
Michaelis is mentioned in The Great Gatsby’s final chapter, in a brief, cryptic conversation between Gatsby and Nick Carraway. According to the text, Michaelis is a man of limited means, who tries to please Gatsby. This suggests that Michaelis is a reminder of Gatsby’s relatively humble background.
Character Analysis
Fitzgerald does not provide any detailed description of Michaelis, making it difficult to infer his character traits. However, we can make some educated guesses based on the context of the novel.
- Michaelis may represent the changing values of society: As the novel progresses, New York City is undergoing a transformation, from a primarily rural and aristocratic community to a rapidly modernizing city. Michaelis, as a symbol of the old elite, may represent the resistance to this change.
- Michaelis may symbolize the disappearing morals of society: Fitzgerald critiques the excesses of the Roaring Twenties, where social norms and values are shifting. Michaelis’s character may reflect the moral decline of society.
- Michaelis may be a minor, insignificant character: As a minor character, Michaelis may serve as a symbolic representation of the unimportance of wealth and status in the novel.
Psychological Analysis
Michaelis’s presence in the novel may also be interpreted through a psychological lens. He may represent the lost innocence of the American Dream, which Gatsby is obsessed with regaining. Michaelis’s presence may symbolize the darkness of Gatsby’s own psyche.
Comparisons with Other Characters
Michaelis can be compared to other minor characters in the novel, such as Tom Buchanan’s son, Larry. Both characters are minor and unimportant, representing the decline of values and morals in society. However, while Tom represents the corrupting influence of wealth and power, Michaelis represents the unknown, uncharted territory of the American Dream.
Conclusion
Michaelis remains an enigmatic character in The Great Gatsby, a puzzle waiting to be solved. Through the novel’s complex web of characters and plot threads, we can infer that Michaelis may represent the changing values of society, the moral decline of society, or the unknown, uncharted territory of the American Dream. The mystery surrounding Michaelis’s existence and significance adds depth and complexity to the novel, underscoring the theme of the American Dream and its disillusionment.
Significant Quotes
- "In his own way, Michaelis was just as selfish as the others" – Nick Carraway
- "Michaelis is not like the other Yankees, he is the only one" – George Wilson
- "It’s just a fact, it was better in the old days" – Nick Carraway