The Great Gatsby

Definition

The Great Gatsby is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925, that explores themes of wealth, social class, and the American Dream during the Jazz Age. The story is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who becomes entangled in the lives of the mysterious Jay Gatsby and the lavish world of East Egg and West Egg, highlighting the disillusionment and moral decay of society in the post-World War I era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novel is set in the summer of 1922 and captures the opulence and excess of the Roaring Twenties.
2. Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a tragic figure, representing the unattainable nature of the American Dream through his obsession with Daisy Buchanan.
3. The narrative structure employs a first-person point of view, primarily through Nick Carraway, who serves as both a participant and observer of the events.
4. Fitzgerald uses symbolism extensively, with elements like the green light at the end of Daisy's dock representing Gatsby's hopes and dreams.
5. The Great Gatsby critiques the moral emptiness and superficiality of the upper class during a time of great social change and upheaval in America.

Review Questions

• How does The Great Gatsby reflect the themes of Lost Generation fiction?
  • The Great Gatsby reflects Lost Generation fiction through its portrayal of disillusionment and a sense of aimlessness experienced by individuals after World War I. The characters are often depicted as searching for meaning in a world dominated by wealth and excess, mirroring the existential struggles faced by many expatriate writers. Fitzgerald captures this sentiment through Nick's observations of Gatsby's futile quest for acceptance and love in a materialistic society.
• Discuss how The Great Gatsby embodies the Lost Generation expatriate experience.
  • While F. Scott Fitzgerald was not an expatriate himself, The Great Gatsby captures aspects of the expatriate experience through its characters who grapple with their identities amidst societal changes. Nick Carraway, though residing in America, observes a world influenced by European ideals and disillusionment. This juxtaposition highlights how characters like Gatsby are shaped by their longing for a past that remains elusive, akin to how expatriates sought meaning outside their homeland.
• Analyze how The Great Gatsby addresses postwar trauma and disillusionment within American society.
  • The Great Gatsby tackles postwar trauma by showcasing characters deeply affected by their experiences and societal changes after World War I. The extravagant lifestyles portrayed contrast sharply with their inner voids, illustrating how war left many feeling disenchanted and disconnected from traditional values. The novel ultimately reveals how the pursuit of wealth and status fails to fill emotional gaps, emphasizing a broader commentary on America's moral decay during this tumultuous period.

Related terms

American Dream: The national ethos of the United States, promoting the idea that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination.

Jazz Age: A period in the 1920s characterized by jazz music, cultural change, and a sense of rebellion against traditional values.

Expatriate: A person who lives outside their native country, often associated with the Lost Generation writers who sought refuge in Europe after World War I.