This was a throwaway from some other article, but the case of The Great Gatsby compels us to wonder – is a classic good, like Shakespeare, or is it just of vague historical interest, like Charles Dickens or Marxism?  

Remakes of said Shakespeare, which steals the plot but not the dialog (can you  do the opposite?  Someone please try) is a case of worship without understanding, the unfortunate byproduct of a Victorian education in the ‘classics’, some of which are fine, and some which may need re-visiting.  Well, probably not worship so much as laziness.  Well, we’ve really written ourselves into a corner this time, Ollie.  Make a reference to Homer, Laurel.  That always works.  Thanks, Ollie.  I’ll just step into what appears to be this very shallow puddle now.  But, Laurel, that’s not a very small puddle!  It’s the wine-dark sea!

It’s okay when I do it, because I actually have to look it up on Wikipedia.  I fucking hate Homer.

Not Simpson.  Not Simpson!  Sorry, Homer.