The Great Gatsby

Definition

The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925, that explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream during the Jazz Age. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway and follows the life of the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby, who is deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan, a woman from his past. The novel critiques the moral decay and materialism of the era while also highlighting the power of dreams and the social stratification of American society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Gatsby is set in the fictional towns of West Egg and East Egg on Long Island during the summer of 1922.
2. Jay Gatsby's extravagant parties symbolize the excess and frivolity of the Jazz Age, attracting a diverse crowd of attendees who often do not know him personally.
3. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's unattainable dream and hope for a future with her.
4. Fitzgerald uses Nick Carraway as both a character and a narrator to provide a unique perspective on Gatsby's world, reflecting on themes of morality and disillusionment.
5. The novel ends with a sense of tragedy, as Gatsby's dream ultimately leads to his downfall, serving as a commentary on the darker side of the American Dream.

Review Questions

• How does Fitzgerald use symbolism in The Great Gatsby to convey deeper meanings about society?
  • Fitzgerald employs various symbols throughout The Great Gatsby to highlight themes such as aspiration and disillusionment. For example, the green light at Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's unreachable dream and his relentless pursuit of love and acceptance. Other symbols, such as the valley of ashes representing moral decay, reinforce critiques of materialism in society, showing how superficial wealth can lead to emptiness.
• Discuss how The Great Gatsby reflects the ideals and contradictions of the American Dream during the Jazz Age.
  • The Great Gatsby both embodies and critiques the American Dream by showcasing characters like Jay Gatsby who strive for wealth and status yet face profound emptiness despite their success. The opulence of Gatsby's parties contrasts sharply with the underlying moral decay represented by characters such as Tom Buchanan. This juxtaposition illustrates that while the American Dream promises success through hard work, it often leads to disillusionment when driven by materialism.
• Evaluate how Nick Carraway's role as both a narrator and character shapes our understanding of Jay Gatsby's journey and ultimate fate.
  • Nick Carraway's dual role enriches The Great Gatsby by offering both an insider's perspective on Gatsby's life and an outsider's critical view on his actions. As a character who witnesses Gatsby’s ambition and vulnerability, Nick provides readers with insights into Gatsby's complex personality. His eventual disillusionment mirrors Gatsby’s tragic fate, reinforcing themes of hope versus reality while emphasizing the stark contrast between idealism and moral ambiguity in pursuit of dreams.

Related terms

Jazz Age: A term used to describe the cultural period in the 1920s characterized by jazz music, flappers, and a general sense of rebellion against traditional values.

American Dream: The national ethos of the United States, which holds that anyone can achieve success and upward mobility through hard work and determination, often critiqued in literature.

Symbolism:

A literary device where symbols are used to signify ideas and qualities, found extensively in The Great Gatsby through colors, objects, and characters.