The Great Gatsby

Definition

The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925, that captures the essence of the Roaring Twenties and explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. The story revolves around the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsession with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, set against a backdrop of changing social norms and shifting gender roles during this vibrant decade.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Gatsby illustrates the disillusionment with the American Dream as characters chase wealth and status but find emptiness instead.
2. The novel highlights the role of women in the 1920s, showcasing characters like Daisy Buchanan who navigate their identities within a society undergoing rapid change.
3. F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing style employs rich symbolism, particularly through the use of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, representing Gatsby's unattainable dreams.
4. The extravagant parties at Gatsby's mansion serve as a critique of excess and moral decay in American society during the Jazz Age.
5. Through the character of Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald provides a critical lens on the events unfolding around him, highlighting themes of observation and morality.

Review Questions

• How does The Great Gatsby reflect the changing gender norms of the 1920s through its female characters?
  • The Great Gatsby reflects changing gender norms through characters like Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, who embody both traditional femininity and new independence. Daisy represents the allure of wealth while also showcasing vulnerability, highlighting women's complex roles in society. Jordan Baker, on the other hand, symbolizes the modern woman who challenges conventions by being assertive and carefree. These contrasting portrayals illustrate how women began to assert their identities beyond domestic spheres during the 1920s.
• Discuss how F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism in The Great Gatsby to comment on social class and aspirations during the 1920s.
  • Fitzgerald employs various symbols throughout The Great Gatsby to critique social class and aspirations. The green light at Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's unreachable dreams and desire for acceptance in elite society. Additionally, the contrast between East Egg and West Egg highlights the differences between old money and new money, reflecting societal attitudes toward wealth. By using these symbols, Fitzgerald exposes the superficiality of social status and questions whether achieving the American Dream truly leads to fulfillment.
• Evaluate how The Great Gatsby serves as both a product of its time and a critique of 1920s American society regarding wealth and morality.
  • The Great Gatsby serves as both a product of its time and a critique of 1920s American society by capturing the era's lavish lifestyles while revealing its moral decay. While it reflects the exuberance of the Jazz Age through opulent parties and extravagant displays of wealth, it simultaneously critiques the emptiness behind these pursuits. Characters like Gatsby embody ambition but ultimately face disillusionment, illustrating that the pursuit of wealth does not guarantee happiness or moral integrity. This duality offers readers insight into both the allure and pitfalls of 1920s America.

Related terms

Flapper: A fashionable young woman in the 1920s who embraced new styles and attitudes, often seen as a symbol of the changing gender norms of the time.

Jazz Age: The period in the 1920s characterized by jazz music's popularity, cultural dynamism, and a sense of rebellion against traditional values.

American Dream: The ideal that suggests anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination, a central theme in The Great Gatsby.