Mysterious Neighbor
Have you ever been intrigued by a person who you barely know? maybe you've seen a classmate who keeps to himself, or that majestic person walking down the street, or even that neighbor who reaches out so strangely for some green light every night, we very often find ourselves intrigued with these mysterious people. In much the same way, we see Nick deeply drawn towards Gatsby. This allure of mystery taps into the deep psychological curiosity that we all possess.
F. Scott Fitzgerald introduces Jay Gatsby to us through rumors and gossip before we even meet him. Jay Gatsby bursts forth in this novel with his extravagant display of wealth and parties, enticing readers with the idea of Gatsby. It is not just his fortune that draws attention, but it is a question mark on his identity, his past, and his motives. Because Fitzgerald made Gatsby a mystery to us, he uses the power of mystery to draw us in by making us want to know more.
But aside from literature, there is actually quite alot of science behind why people like mystery. One of the underlying reasons includes dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. When something unknown is perceived, the brain releases dopamine, further motivating us for more. This creates excitement, making Gatsby in this case a puzzle we must solve.
Mystery, somehow, is more alluring in today's world with large-scale social connection, when the details of other people's lives are out in the open due to social media. Whether an elusive online persona or a spooky new episode of a true crime podcast, we're drawn to what we can't quite figure out. The unknown tests our imaginations, intrigues our curiosity, and sends a reminder of the complexity of human nature. The unknown neighbor symbolizes a part of ourselves, a part that desires stories of unfamiliarity.
Aarush, I really liked the introduction of a real scientific reason of why people are attracted to the allure of mystery. I could definitely feel myself getting pulled into the intrigue of Gatsby by Fitzgerald and wondering what he was doing in the night.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you explained why humans find mystery enticing, and connected that back to a technique that Fitzgerald uses when writing about Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how you brought up an interesting question about the idea of mystery and then tying it to Jay Gatsby, presenting him as the example. Furthermore I like how your brought the science behind mystery and tying the idea of mystery to everyday life.
ReplyDeleteHi Aarush! Your ending paragraph really stuck with me. When you connected it back to the "complexity of human nature" it intrigued me in a way that made me think about my perception of curiosity. Your connection between the book and mystery was clearly thought out and was a very interesting and worth while read.
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