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__The Great Gatsby__ is considered by many to be the great American novel. In this vein, it is hard for many to seperate their own feelings about the book from all of the accolades and constant praise it recieves. How can a book written so long ago still hold such a powerful place in American literature? Why is Gatsby one of the few books most high schoolers will tell you they actually enjoyed reading in their American literature classes?

Some say it's because of the characters. Daisy, Nick, Gatsby himself and the other people who populate East and West egg are the kind of people we enjoy reading about. There is heartache, drama, action and constant partying. In fact, Gatsby was the original party king. Those endless beach parties which only the coolest of the cool seem to be invited to were started by Gatsby, today there are only imitators trying to recreate what was started by a fictional character in the 1920s.

I think it's what Gatsby embodies that keeps people coming back for more. In many ways Gatsby is the American dream. He has a fabulous house, clothes, cars and plenty of servants but he is always looking for more. And in the end it is what he cannot attain which kills him. Gatsby is the ultimate social climber but his character is so endearing that it hard not to make Daisy the villain who will not help Gatsby achieve all he desires.

The Joseph Cornell boxes are also about trying to attain the unattainable. They are beautiful because somewhere in them Cornell has put something he wants to immortalize. They are about different things, each holding different dreams and wishes.

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