So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
[Book] SO WE BEAT ON, BOATS AGAINST THE CURRENT, BORNE BACK CEASELESSLY INTO THE PAST. - Fitzgerald's Reflection on Perseverance and the Past
Symbolizes relentless struggle against the inescapable force of the past.
F. Scott Fitzgerald concludes "The Great Gatsby" with this metaphorical statement that captures the essence of the novel's exploration of the American Dream and the human condition. It reflects the protagonist's, and by extension, society’s constant struggle against the tides of time and the past's powerful influence on the present. This line encapsulates the futility and persistence of ambition within the cyclical nature of history, offering deep insights into the challenges of personal change and societal progress.
Example Sentences
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
This last line reflects the central theme of striving and the inevitable pull of the past, first published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1925.