Published 7:59 am Monday, September 24, 2018
Jay Gatsby, the lead character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, “The Great Gatsby” lies all the time.
He lies about the origin of his wealth, he lies about his love life, he even lies about reading the great books in his library.
Gatsby lies so much, and so frequently, that he could no more find the truth than discover humility. Why does he lie, and lie so studiously, so seemingly effortlessly, yet so conflicted with his previous lies, that it is certain to reveal his disconnect with truth?
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Gatsby lies because under his exposed insecurities, is a narcissism so rich and deep that all else of his person is consumed to feed the cut glass mirrored image of a hollow human.
Adolph Hitler described the power of the “Big Lie” in Mein Kampf, his autobiography, as, “All this was inspired by the principle—which is quite true within itself—that in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility…”
So, the Big Lie has its history in fiction and in fact. It is, in faction, used as a reflection of flawed human character, whether to gain wealth, conceal deceit, or simply feed narcissistic character.
In politics, the Big Lie is used best when it is so outrageous that no one would believe so bold a lie would be possible.
Richard Nixon used his Big Lie, “I am not a crook,” in a press conference claiming he knew nothing about the Watergate events. When the facts, and tapes, proved otherwise, that Big Lie ended with his resignation as president, but not before his earnest attempts to shut down the investigation of the facts surrounding Watergate.
And now, decades later, we have Donald Trump, Narcissist-in-Chief, Liar of Great Repute (He has almost single-handedly created the fact check industry), repeating hundreds and hundreds of times that the special Pprosecutors’ investigation about Russian influence in the 2016 election is “a witch hunt.”
Keep in mind that the investigation is not about Trump, but about uncovering, identifying and explaining any and all Russian attempts to influence the 2016 election. Now, why would any American president not want that investigation to go forward, to protect the nation from future attempts to compromise our election process?
And why would any president label as a witch hunt a prosecution that has uncovered many crimes and gained several convictions and pleas of guilt by people associated with the Trump campaign? Could the president actually be incurious about criminals and crimes committed within his campaign? Could this president possibly think it acceptable for those he once worked with to lie to the FBI?
And how could the president dishonor his own attorney general for the explicit reason, a reason specifically related to the Russian investigation, that Attorney General Jeff Sessions has not protected himself, Trump, from that investigation? Why would the president need protection from the facts?
Unless, unless, unless there is a Big Lie here. A lie so big that this president would obstruct justice to conceal the Big Lie? Because the presidents’ actions this week to declassify portions of the ongoing investigation are an obstruction of justice (though that legal determination remains open), actions taken, not by a legal review of the issues and concerns of FBI mistakes, but because of Fox News pundits who argued on TV that Trump should break the seal of confidentiality of an ongoing investigation.
Trump, many individuals report, is not much of a reader. So, maybe he has not realized his deep connection to the fictional Gatsby, or the historical Hitler, or the disgraced president, Nixon. Maybe Trump thinks he invented the Big Lie.
Hannah Arendt wrote: “The trouble with lying and deceiving is that their efficiency depends entirely upon a clear notion of the truth that the liar and deceiver wishes to hide.”
Jim Crawford is a retired educator, political enthusiast and award-winning columnist living here in the Tri-State.
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As an expert in literature, psychology, and political history, I find the analysis of Jay Gatsby's character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and its connection to the concept of the "Big Lie" to be a fascinating exploration of human nature and its manifestation in both fiction and reality. My extensive knowledge in these areas allows me to shed light on the various concepts touched upon in the article.
Firstly, Jay Gatsby's penchant for lying, as highlighted in the article, is a central theme in "The Great Gatsby." Gatsby's lies about the origin of his wealth, his love life, and even his literary pursuits reveal a complex character driven by deep-seated insecurities and a profound narcissism. Fitzgerald skillfully uses Gatsby's lies to explore the themes of wealth, identity, and the American Dream in the Jazz Age.
The article draws a parallel between Gatsby's lies and the concept of the "Big Lie," a term attributed to Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf. The "Big Lie" refers to a falsehood of such magnitude that, when repeated often enough, gains a certain credibility. The article suggests that Gatsby's lies serve a similar purpose, creating a facade to conceal his true self and maintain a polished image.
The historical reference to Richard Nixon's use of the "Big Lie" with the statement "I am not a crook" further emphasizes the article's exploration of political deception. Nixon's lie, exposed by facts and tapes related to the Watergate scandal, led to his resignation as president. This historical context sets the stage for the article's discussion of contemporary politics and the comparison to Donald Trump, who is characterized as the "Narcissist-in-Chief" and the "Liar of Great Repute."
The article scrutinizes Trump's repeated assertion that the investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election is a "witch hunt." The author questions the president's motives and suggests a potential "Big Lie" at play. The inquiry delves into whether Trump's actions, such as declassifying portions of the ongoing investigation, amount to an obstruction of justice. The comparison to Gatsby, Hitler, and Nixon adds depth to the analysis, highlighting the potential consequences of political deceit and its impact on truth and justice.
In conclusion, the article weaves together elements from literature, history, and contemporary politics to explore the theme of deception, drawing parallels between fictional characters like Gatsby and historical figures like Hitler and Nixon. The author raises thought-provoking questions about the motivations behind political lies and the potential consequences of perpetuating falsehoods on a grand scale.
