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摘要：F. Scott Fitzgerald recorded what he and his generation really thought about, what they pursued and what they lacked in his period. That is to say the novel is intertwined with Fitzgerald’s understanding of himself and his generation. The dilemma that Nick, Gatsby and Fitzgerald face is: whether to pursue one’s dreams and neglect the heart’s moral or to face the reality that such dreams are illusory.

hat you’ve had.”7

The narrator, Nick Carraway, senses that he is too quick to condemn. His father tells Nick his perspective from which to make judgments. And Nick has to remind himself of his father’s more balanced, human appraisal. However, he is inescapable to have accepted some exciting things in the society, no matter how odd they are in the eyes of the old people. It implicates that he has a relatively objective opinion toward things. So when Gatsby wants him to arrange a meeting with Daisy, he doesn’t refuse it. He does not think it is wrong even though he is unwilling.
Another example is his attitude to Daisy’s husband, Tom Buchanan. Although Tom is from a socially solid old family, he does not have the same reputable respect as his family. Nick thinks that it is the born superiorities of social status and wealth that shape Tom’s arrogance and hypocrisy. So Nick does not criticize such behaviors. But Nick quickly finds that Tom is a boorish bully who likes to control all people around him. So he condemns Tom that he is a man who never even considers trying to live up to the moral standard he demands from those around him.
However, when Gatsby dies, he decides to hold a large funeral for him, but all of Gatsby’s former friends and acquaintances have either disappeared, like Tom and Daisy, or refused to come, like Meyer Wolfshiem and Klipspringer. Klipspringer even claims that he has a social engagement and asks Nick to send along his tennis shoes. Nick is so angry that he hangs up on their calls. How ironic it is! Nick disgusts the people surrounding Gatsby’s life and the decayed moral.
Through Nick’ controversial senses or conflicted feelings, Fitzgerald gradually realized that alluring appearances serve to cover unattractive realities. No matter how colorful the lifestyle is, life itself would be pale without certain moral.

III. The Controversial Senses Reflected on Gatsby and the Author’s Introspection of Them

A. Gatsby’s Relationship with Money: Agreed and Opposed
Like Tom, Gatsby’s view of money is different from that of the common people. Tom can buy anything he wishes—from polo to cufflinks. His money destroys his mind; and his dreams are ridden off by his money. However, Gatsby’s money is acquired through criminal activity. Gatsby’s money is for the purpose of winning Daisy and being rich is the only way he gets close to his lover. So he does not care whether the way to get money is legal or illegal. The way Gatsby expresses his feelings for Daisy--even though those feelings are sincere—is showing off his possessions. Urging Daisy and Nick to explore his house, he tells them: “It took me just three years to earn the money that bought it.”8 The very language in which Nick describes Gatsby’s love for Daisy is commercial: “I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response to Gatsby’s display: she cries over his beautiful shirts”9.
But, when Gatsby holds parties, he would rather stand aside and see the other people indulging themselves than enjoy with them. In his heart, the luxury enjoyment does not really belong to him. If he had enough money, like Tom, he would not need to make such great efforts to become rich. So he may not be willing to enjoy this kind of parties. In this aspect, we may say that his relationship with money is opposed.
B. Gatsby’s love: Romantic an