Larissa,

The point I was trying to make was that maybe people who don't love themselves try to fill that space with romantic love but it doesn't work because it's not the same space. And, BTW, I wouldn't necessarily blame parents for that lack, it's too easy an answer. Who knows how or why people end up how they are?

Ashlinn

Never mind the meaning or significance of the content, The Great Gatsby is great because it is truly atmospheric and has a terrific prose style. What I can't understand is why the rest of Scott Fitzgerald's stuff is so poor by comparison. Tender is the Night in particular seems to me to be stilted and tedious. So, one great novel but not a (sustained) great writer.