Podcast Title: The Book Case
Episode: "The Great Gatsby is Still Great"
Release Date: March 6, 2025
Hosts: Kate Gibson & Charlie Gibson
Guests:

• Jim West: Professor Emeritus at Penn State University, F. Scott Fitzgerald Scholar
• Ann Margaret Daniel: Literature Teacher at The New School, New York
• Debbie Gress Jensen: Owner of Booked Bookstore, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of The Book Case, hosts Kate and Charlie Gibson delve into the timeless allure of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Responding to listener interest in classic literature, they bring on esteemed scholars Jim West and Ann Margaret Daniel to explore why The Great Gatsby remains a cornerstone of American literature. Additionally, the episode features a heartwarming segment with Debbie Gress Jensen, the passionate owner of Booked bookstore in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, highlighting the ongoing love for books in local communities.

2. Exploring The Great Gatsby with Scholars

a. The Enduring Legacy of The Great Gatsby

Kate Gibson expresses her deep affection for The Great Gatsby, stating, “I love that book almost more than any I've ever read” (00:47). Charlie Gibson, although initially unfamiliar with the novel, becomes captivated after immersing himself in its rich narrative and complex characters.

b. Why It’s Considered the Great American Novel

Jim West articulates the novel's unique position in American literature:
“When I was a junior in high school, we read the Scarlet Letter... The Great Gatsby is a very teachable novel. It has a first-person narrator who is perhaps not always entirely reliable. And it has wonderful characters and a fast-moving plot and champagne and parties and a green light. So what else could you possibly need?” (06:35)

Kate adds, highlighting Fitzgerald’s use of language:
“Some of the most beautifully crafted prose I will ever read by any writer... it gets inside you and stays” (07:10).

Ann Margaret Daniel underscores the novel’s multifaceted nature:
“You can read it as a great yarn or you can go back and really research what F. Scott Fitzgerald had in his mind as he wrote it. It is so rich in that way as well” (10:13).

c. Themes and Symbolism

The discussion delves into core themes such as the American Dream, social status, and the pervasive influence of money. Jim West explains the American perspective on money:
“We understand money better than the British do. We understand the authority of money, the way it influences human behavior. And that's a major theme in the novel” (10:13).

Kate Gibson muses on the symbolism of the green light:
“It symbolizes hope, manifest destiny... it's wrapped up in so many things” (31:41).

d. Character Analysis: Nick Carraway as the Unreliable Narrator

Charlie Gibson poses critical questions about Nick’s reliability:
“First, is he lying to himself or is he lying to us? Second, is he more honest by the novel's close?” (13:06).

Kate reflects:
“I think he's completely conscious of his dishonesty... I have no sympathy at all for him in any way, shape or form” (13:46).

Jim West concurs, emphasizing Nick’s growth:
“He learns a great deal about himself in the course of the narrative... If you can suspend your knowledge of Fitzgerald's life and just read his writings as if you were coming to them for the first time, it's a better experience” (15:39).

e. Fitzgerald’s Craftsmanship and Writing Process

Jim West elaborates on Fitzgerald’s meticulous approach:
“Fitzgerald was very conscious of how he got his best effects... he rewrote the novel, virtually rewrote it in proofs to give us the first edition” (20:21).

Kate adds insight into his dedication:
“He would strip out the most beautiful language and put it in his notebook in case he ever wanted to use it again in a novel” (21:09).

f. Relevance in Modern Times

The scholars discuss the novel's applicability to contemporary society. Jim West speculates:
“I think he would be writing about the world situation and the status of the United States on the world stage” (29:47).

Kate Gibson concurs, noting Fitzgerald’s ongoing relevance:
“He was intensely conscious of American history and its discontents and its problems and would be writing about it now” (30:45).

3. Spotlight on Booked Bookstore with Debbie Gress Jensen

Transitioning from literary analysis, the hosts introduce Debbie Gress Jensen, the vibrant owner of Booked bookstore. Debbie shares her journey:

a. Launching Booked Amidst a Pandemic

Debbie recounts her transition from teaching to owning a bookstore:
“I grew up loving the notion of 'Shop around the Corner.' Always wanted to have that little bookshop... Covid happened, and I had to do it then” (36:18).

Despite the challenges of opening during COVID-19, Debbie's optimism shines through:
“I had a humongous line out the door, which was incredible” (38:53).

b. Overcoming Business Challenges

Admitting her lack of business acumen, Debbie highlights the importance of community and mentorship:
“Talking to so many wonderful people who own bookshops... definitely allowed for that hurdle to be jumped” (37:39).

c. Community Engagement and Philanthropy

Debbie emphasizes her commitment to fostering a love for reading:
“We collect books here in the shop, and then we take them down and donate them to Treehouse... ensuring that the joy of reading is not lost” (39:42).

d. Personal Passion for Books

Passion radiates as Debbie describes her daily joys:
“I love coming in here. I love putting the candles on. I love looking at the stacks. It is just a magical place” (41:11).

4. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Charlie Gibson shares his favorite passage from The Great Gatsby, reflecting on the novel’s poignant ending:

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (43:00)

This powerful conclusion encapsulates the novel's themes of aspiration and the inescapable grasp of the past, echoing the discussions held throughout the episode.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kate Gibson (07:10):
  “Some of the most beautifully crafted prose I will ever read by any writer... it gets inside you and stays.”

• Jim West (06:35):
  “When I was a junior in high school, we read the Scarlet Letter... The Great Gatsby is a very teachable novel... so what else could you possibly need?”

• Ann Margaret Daniel (10:13):
  “You can read it as a great yarn or you can go back and really research what F. Scott Fitzgerald had in his mind as he wrote it. It is so rich in that way as well.”

• Kate Gibson (31:41):
  “It symbolizes hope, manifest destiny... it's wrapped up in so many things.”

• Debbie Gress Jensen (41:11):
  “I love coming in here. I love putting the candles on. I love looking at the stacks. It is just a magical place.”

Closing Remarks

The Book Case episode "The Great Gatsby is Still Great" masterfully intertwines literary analysis with real-world passion for books, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of why The Great Gatsby endures as a masterpiece. Through insightful discussions with scholars and a heartfelt conversation with a local bookstore owner, Kate and Charlie Gibson celebrate the profound impact of literature in both academic and everyday settings.

For those inspired to explore The Great Gatsby or support local bookstores like Booked, the episode provides valuable perspectives and heartfelt recommendations. Tune in every Thursday for more literary journeys across genres and stories.

Note: Times in square brackets [MM:SS] correspond to the timestamps in the transcript for reference.