2. The Great Gatsby(chapter 3, p267 on your textbook) The Great Gatsby's Theme Theme Analysis The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald's classic twentieth-century story of Jay Gatsby's quest for Daisy Buchanan examines and critiques Gatsbys particular vision of the 1920s American Dream. Written in 1925. the novel serves as a bridge between World War I and the Great Depression of the early 1930S. Although Fitzgerald was an avid participant in the stereotypical"Roaring Twenties" lifestyle of wild partying and bootleg liquor, he was also an astute critic of his time period. The Great Gatsby certainly serves more to detail society's failure to fulfill its potential than it does to glamorize Fitzgerald's Jazz Age
2. The Great Gatsby (chapter 3, p267 on your textbook) The Great Gatsby's Theme Theme Analysis The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic twentieth-century story of Jay Gatsby's quest for Daisy Buchanan, examines and critiques Gatsby's particular vision of the 1920's American Dream. Written in 1925, the novel serves as a bridge between World War I and the Great Depression of the early 1930's. Although Fitzgerald was an avid participant in the stereotypical "Roaring Twenties" lifestyle of wild partying and bootleg liquor, he was also an astute critic of his time period. The Great Gatsby certainly serves more to detail society's failure to fulfill its potential than it does to glamorize Fitzgerald's "Jazz Age
Fitzgerald's social insight in The Great Gatsby focuses on a select group priviliged young people between the ages of 20 and 30. In doing so Fitzgerald provides a vision of the youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves"(157) Throughout the novel Nick finds himself surrounded by lavish mansions, fancy cars, and an endless supply of material possessions. a drawback to the seemingly limitless excess Nick sees in the Buchanans for instance. is a throwaway mentality extending past material goods. Nick explains, They were careless people, Tom and Daisy hey smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess
Fitzgerald's social insight in The Great Gatsby focuses on a select group: priviliged young people between the ages of 20 and 30. In doing so, Fitzgerald provides a vision of the "youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves" (157). Throughout the novel Nick finds himself surrounded by lavish mansions, fancy cars, and an endless supply of material possessions. A drawback to the seemingly limitless excess Nick sees in the Buchanans, for instance, is a throwaway mentality extending past material goods. Nick explains, "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy -- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess
they had made"(188) Part of the mess left in the Buchanan 's wake at the end of the novel includes the literal and figurative death of the title character, Jay Gatsby. Certainly, his undeserved murder at the hands of a despondent George Wilson evokes sympathy the true tragedy, however, lies in the destruction of an ultimate American idealist. The idealism evident in Gatsby's constant aspirations helps define what Fitzgerald saw as the basis for the American Character Gatsby is a firm believer in the american dream of self-made success: he has after all. not only invented and self-promoted a whole new persona for himself, but has succeeded both financially and societally In spite of his success, Gatsby's
they had made" (188). Part of the mess left in the Buchanan's wake at the end of the novel includes the literal and figurative death of the title character, Jay Gatsby. Certainly, his undeserved murder at the hands of a despondent George Wilson evokes sympathy; the true tragedy, however, lies in the destruction of an ultimate American idealist. The idealism evident in Gatsby's constant aspirations helps define what Fitzgerald saw as the basis for the American Character. Gatsby is a firm believer in the American Dream of self-made success: he has, after all, not only invented and self-promoted a whole new persona for himself, but has succeeded both financially and societally. In spite of his success, Gatsby's
primary ideological shortcoming becomes evident as he makes Daisy Buchanan the sole focus of his belief in the orgastic future"(189 ). His previously varied aspirations (evidenced, for example, by the book Gatsby,'s father shows Nick detailing his son's resolutions to improve himself) are sacrificed Gatsby's single-minded obsession with Daisy,s green light at the end of her dock. Even Gatsby realized the first time he kissed Daisy that once he " forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God"(117) For the first time in his wildly successful career, however, Gatsby aspires to obtain that which is unattainable at least to the degree which he desires. As the novel unfolds, Gatsby seems to
primary ideological shortcoming becomes evident as he makes Daisy Buchanan the sole focus of his belief in "the orgastic future" (189). His previously varied aspirations (evidenced, for example, by the book Gatsby's father shows Nick detailing his son's resolutions to improve himself) are sacrificed for Gatsby's single-minded obsession with Daisy's green light at the end of her dock. Even Gatsby realized the first time he kissed Daisy that once he "forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God" (117). For the first time in his wildly successful career, however, Gatsby aspires to obtain that which is unattainable, at least to the degree which he desires. As the novel unfolds, Gatsby seems to
realize that his idea and pursuit of Daisy is more rewarding than the actual attainment of her. Gatsby recognizes that --as he did with his own persona he has created an ideal for daisy to live up to. Although Gatsby remains fully committed to his aspirations up until his death, he struggles with the reality of when those aspirations for his american Dream are either achieved or. in Gatsby,'s case, proven inaccessible. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in 1924, while working on The Great Gatsby, That's the whole burden of this novel - the loss of those illusions that give such color to the world so that you dont care whether things are true or false as long as they partake of the magical glory (XV) On one level the novel comments on the careless gaiety and moral decadence of
realize that his idea and pursuit of Daisy is more rewarding than the actual attainment of her. Gatsby recognizes that -- as he did with his own persona -- he has created an ideal for Daisy to live up to. Although Gatsby remains fully committed to his aspirations up until his death, he struggles with the reality of when those aspirations for his American Dream are either achieved or, in Gatsby's case, proven inaccessible. As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in 1924, while working on The Great Gatsby, "That's the whole burden of this novel -- the loss of those illusions that give such color to the world so that you don't care whether things are true or false as long as they partake of the magical glory" (xv). On one level the novel comments on the careless gaiety and moral decadence of
the period. It contains innumerable references to the contemporary scene he wild extravagance of Gatsby s parties, the shallowness and aimlessness of the guests and the hint of Gatsbys involvement in crime all identify the period and the American setting. But as a piece of social commentary The Great Gatsby also describes the failure of the American dream from the point of view that American political ideals conflict with the actual social conditions that exist For whereas American democracy is based on the idea of equality among people, the truth that social discrimination still exists and the divisions among the classes cannot be overcome. Myrtle's attempt to break into the group to which the buchanans belong is doomed to fail. Taking advantage of her vivacity, her lively nature, she seeks to escape from her
the period. It contains innumerable references to the contemporary scene. The wild extravagance of Gatsby's parties, the shallowness and aimlessness of the guests and the hint of Gatsby's involvement in crime all identify the period and the American setting. But as a piece of social commentary The Great Gatsby also describes the failure of the American dream, from the point of view that American political ideals conflict with the actual social conditions that exist. For whereas American democracy is based on the idea of equality among people, the truth is that social discrimination still exists and the divisions among the classes cannot be overcome. Myrtle's attempt to break into the group to which the Buchanans belong is doomed to fail. Taking advantage of her vivacity, her lively nature, she seeks to escape from her
own class. She enters into an af fair with Tom and takes on his way of living But she only becomes vulgar and corrupt like the rich. She scorns people from her own class and loses all sense of morality And for all her social ambition myrtI never succeeds in her attempt to find a place for herself in Toms class. When it comes to a crisis. the rich stand together against all outsiders Myrtles condition of course, is a weaker reflection of Gatsbys more significant struggle. While Myrtles desire springs from social ambition Gatsbys is related more to his idealism his faith in lifes possibilities Undoubtedly, his desire is also influenced by social considerations Daisy, who is wealthy and beautiful represents a way of life which is remote from Gatsby 's and therefore more
own class. She enters into an affair with Tom and takes on his way of living. But she only becomes vulgar and corrupt like the rich. She scorns people from her own class and loses all sense of morality. And for all her social ambition, Myrtle never succeeds in her attempt to find a place for herself in Tom's class. When it comes to a crisis, the rich stand together against all outsiders. Myrtle's condition, of course, is a weaker reflection of Gatsby's more significant struggle. While Myrtle's desire springs from social ambition, Gatsby's is related more to his idealism, his faith in life's possibilities. Undoubtedly, his desire is also influenced by social considerations; Daisy, who is wealthy and beautiful, represents a way of life which is remote from Gatsby's and therefore more
attractive because it is out of reach However social consciousness is not a basic cause. It merely directs and increases Gatsbys belief in lifes possibilities. Like Myrtle, Gatsby struggles to fit himself into another social group, but his attempt is more urgent because his whole faith in life is involved in it. failure, therefore, is more terrible for him. His whole career, his confidence in himself and in life is totally shattered when he fails to win Daisy. His death when it comes is almost insignificant, for, with the collapse of his dream, Gatsby is already spiritually dead As social satire, The Great Gatsby is also a comment on moral decadence in modem American society. The concern here is with the corruption of values and the decline of spiritual life -a condition
attractive because it is out of reach. However, social consciousness is not a basic cause. It merely directs and increases Gatsby's belief in life's possibilities. Like Myrtle, Gatsby struggles to fit himself into another social group, but his attempt is more urgent because his whole faith in life is involved in it. Failure, therefore, is more terrible for him. His whole career, his confidence in himself and in life is totally shattered when he fails to win Daisy. His death when it comes is almost insignificant, for, with the collapse of his dream, Gatsby is already spiritually dead. As social satire, The Great Gatsby is also a comment on moral decadence in modem American society. The concern here is with the corruption of values and the decline of spiritual life - a condition
which is ultimately related to the American Dream. For the novel recalls the early idealism of the first settlers Fitzgerald himself relates Gatsby ' s dream to that of the early Americans for, at the end of the novel, Nick recalls the former dutch sailors and compares their sense of wonder with Gatsby 's hope. The book also seems to investigate how Americans lost their spiritua purpose as material success wiped out spiritual goals. The lives of the Buchanans, therefore, filled with material comforts and luxuries and empty of purpose, represents this condition. Daisys lament is especially indicative of this What 'l we do with ourselves this afternoon? cried Daisy, and the day after that, and the next thirty years?
which is ultimately related to the American Dream. For the novel recalls the early idealism of the first settlers. Fitzgerald himself relates Gatsby's dream to that of the early Americans for, at the end of the novel, Nick recalls the former Dutch sailors and compares their sense of wonder with Gatsby's hope. The book also seems to investigate how Americans lost their spiritual purpose as material success wiped out spiritual goals. The lives of the Buchanans, therefore, filled with material comforts and luxuries, and empty of purpose, represents this condition. Daisy's lament is especially indicative of this: 'What'll we do with ourselves this afternoon?' cried Daisy, 'and the day after that, and the next thirty years?
Fitzgerald stresses the need for hope and dreams to give meaning and purpose to mans efforts. Striving towards some ideal is the way by which man can feel a sense of involvement a sense of his own identity. Certainly, Gatsby, with his extraordinary gift of hope, set against the empty existence of Tom and daisy seems to achieve a heroic greatness. [. Fitzgerald goes on to state that the failure of hopes and dreams, the failure of the American Dream itself is unavoidable, not only because reality cannot keep up with ideals, but also because the ideals are in any case usually too fantastic to be realised. the heroic presentation of Gatsby, therefore, should not be taken at face value, for we cannot overlook the fact that Gatsby is naive, impractical and oversentimental It is this which makes him attempt the impossible to repeat the past. there is
Fitzgerald stresses the need for hope and dreams to give meaning and purpose to man's efforts. Striving towards some ideal is the way by which man can feel a sense of involvement, a sense of his own identity. Certainly, Gatsby, with 'his extraordinary gift of hope', set against the empty existence of Tom and Daisy, seems to achieve a heroic greatness. [...] Fitzgerald goes on to state that the failure of hopes and dreams, the failure of the American Dream itself, is unavoidable, not only because reality cannot keep up with ideals, but also because the ideals are in any case usually too fantastic to be realised. The heroic presentation of Gatsby, therefore, should not be taken at face value, for we cannot overlook the fact that Gatsby is naive, impractical and oversentimental. It is this which makes him attempt the impossible, to repeat the past. There is
