Ethan Li ’26

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At the start of the second semester, students in Mr. Howe’s AC English II class were presented with a traditional work of literature, The Great Gatsby. The novel follows the story of Jay Gatsby, an affluent and successful but corrupt businessman, who chases after his dream girl, Daisy Fay. The setting for the story is New York City and its wealthy Long Island suburbs in the Roaring 1920s.

Some students greeted the novel with skepticism. 

“I was unenthusiastic and had little to no hope for it being a decent book,” Peter Hablinski ‘26 said. “I expected it to be decently boring.”

Such attitudes quickly changed as students became more immersed in the novel, making connections to themes found in today’s world: issues of self-image, selfishness, and escapism.

“Society hasn’t really changed. Everybody’s still pretty selfish,” Peter said, “and escapism is still relevant.” Consider the lure of digital media, available 24/7 on our cell phones.

Overall, many students enjoyed the book. For some, it was an eye-opener while, for others, it was simply a fun read. 

“It has a relevant message and it’s pretty easy to connect to,” said Peter. “It’s easy to comprehend. It has the best balance of story and language.”

What made The Great Gatsby truly memorable was the way it was taught in class. Mr. Howe had students host their own discussions about the book by picking passages and asking thought-provoking questions on them. This method provided an opportunity for students to voice their interpretations of the book, exposing students to varying points of view, something needed in today’s polarized society.

“I thought it was taught well,” Peter said, “and I thought the discussions contributed greatly to my understanding of the book.”