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Dr William Blazek features in royal wedding press coverage

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Comments from Associate Professor Dr William Blazek featured in national coverage of Princess Eugenie’s royal wedding.

The English scholar, who co-edits the F Scott Fitzgerald Review, was asked to share his thoughts on the inclusion of a reading from Fitzgerald’s famous novel The Great Gatsby.

Princess Beatrice read a passage from the 1925 novel at her sister’s wedding, after Princess Eugenie is believed to have expressed how the central character reminded her of her new spouse Jack Brooksbank.

Dr Blazek told the Press Association how the language in the extract has subtleties that make its use at the wedding ‘fascinating’.

He added: “Thank you, Princess Eugenie, for reminding people of the greatness of The Great Gatsby as a novel and if it gets more people to go back to that novel, then she has done a great service to literature.”

The extract describes the social ambitions of lead character Jay Gatsby, which led some critics to believe it was a unusual choice for a wedding.

However, Dr Blazek said: “I’m sympathetic to Princess Eugenie and think it’s unfair to criticise her choice. The passage does have some compelling elements, such as the idea of the eternal and the promise of hope – both features that tie in with the traditions of weddings.”


Published on 15/10/2018