Themes of distortion

 Have you heard the stories?

They cover West Egg and East Egg like a blizzard,

burying all questions and objections.

Many of them seem to be about this millionaire, Jay Gatsby,

And each has its own particular aspect of his life to "reveal."

They’ve all become “authorities” on his past.

They’re saying that he was a bootlegger—others say he was a spy in the war—some even think he “killed a man” or was “second cousin to the Devil.”

I’m not so sure that one person can be involved in so much…

Have you heard the stories?

Like the snowstorm, they are coming down even faster.

They have blanketed the town in their mix of rumors, truths, and lies.

 Perhaps I could get to know this Gatsby.

Maybe he would want to tell me something about himself--the truth about his life.

I wouldn't have to sift through all those stories to see which seem the most likely.

He might have heard what people have been saying about him and might want to dispel some of the rumors and clear his name.

After all, I doubt that anyone enjoys so much notoriety.

But then again,

What if some of the stories are true?

What if he really was a spy,

Or a bootlegger,

Or if he killed someone,

Or if he really was “second cousin to the devil.”

He might not want to reveal the fact that some of the stories might be true.

Besides, I’m not so sure that the other people would want to believe him.

No, they seem too mired in their own opinions,

And would probably want to stay with believing them.

They wouldn’t understand.

Would you expect them to?

Alexandra Beiriger