Words: Vincent Lim
A true gentleman, espoused by Leonardo DiCaprio’s exceptional performance in Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece, there’s a lot we can learn from Jay Gatsby.
1. A smile is everything
“He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.”
A gentleman puts others at ease, and Gatsby’s reassuring smile gives comfort and security to those he meets. A simple smile can profoundly affect your influence on others.
2. There’s nothing like a collared shirt
“It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such — such beautiful shirts before.”
Daisy, Gatsby’s love interest, tries to conceal her true feelings about him by commenting on Gatsby’s enviable collection of shirts . We think her reaction’s very understandable.
3. Never stop being ambitious
“My life has got to be like this. It’s got to keep going up.”
There’s nothing more noble than a bit of self-improvement, and a gentleman should always aspire to bigger and better things. Don’t settle for your current lifestyle. Always aim higher.
4. Communicate with your eyes
“The way he looked at her is the way that all girls want to be looked at.”
A lot can be said between two people without a single word being uttered. If you’ve got something meaningful to say, why fumble with words when your eyes will deliver the same message flawlessly?
5. Manage your reputation
“One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil”
Gatsby fails to manage his reputation well, leading to a plethora of uncontrollable and unflattering rumours about his past. As his reputation is one of the most important facets of a gentleman’s persona, cultivating a favourable one will stand you in excellent stead.
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