The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Introduction

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century. The novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who is obsessed with the idea of winning back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald’s prose is known for its lyrical beauty, its vivid descriptions of the excesses and decadence of the Roaring Twenties, and its themes of love, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of wealth.

In this article, we will explore the various aspects of "The Great Gatsby," including its plot, themes, characters, symbolism, and historical context. We will examine how Fitzgerald uses his characters, their motivations, and their relationships to comment on the society of his time and how the novel has continued to resonate with readers to this day.

Plot Summary

The novel is set in 1922 and is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to New York City to work in the bond business. He rents a small house on Long Island, near the mansion of his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby.

Gatsby is a self-made millionaire who throws lavish parties every weekend in an effort to attract the attention of his former love, Daisy Buchanan, who is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and arrogant man with a mistress named Myrtle Wilson. Gatsby and Daisy had a brief romance before she married Tom, and Gatsby has spent the years since then accumulating wealth in the hopes of winning her back.

Nick becomes friends with Gatsby, and Gatsby reveals to him his obsession with Daisy. Gatsby asks Nick to invite Daisy over to his house for tea, and Nick agrees. When Daisy and Gatsby meet again, they rekindle their romance, and Gatsby convinces her to leave Tom and run away with him. However, Daisy ultimately decides to stay with Tom, and Gatsby is devastated.

Tom, who has become suspicious of Gatsby's intentions, confronts him and reveals to Daisy that Gatsby made his fortune through illegal means. Daisy decides to end her relationship with Gatsby, and Tom and his mistress Myrtle decide to leave town for the weekend to escape the drama.

However, Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident by Daisy, who was driving Gatsby's car at the time. Gatsby takes the blame for the accident to protect Daisy, and he is later killed by one of Tom's associates who believes Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death. Nick is the only one who attends Gatsby's funeral, and he is left disillusioned with the corrupt and immoral society he has been a part of.

Themes

One of the central themes of "The Great Gatsby" is the American Dream, or the idea that anyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work and determination. Gatsby embodies this idea, as he has worked hard to accumulate his wealth and win back Daisy's love. However, Fitzgerald also suggests that the American Dream is ultimately unattainable, as Gatsby's obsession with Daisy leads to his downfall and death.

Another important theme is the corruption and decadence of the wealthy elite in the 1920s. Fitzgerald portrays the excesses of the era through the characters of Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy, who indulge in lavish parties, extramarital affairs, and illegal activities. He suggests that this lifestyle is ultimately empty and devoid of real meaning or fulfillment.

The novel also explores the theme of love and relationships, particularly the idea that love can be idealized and romanticized to the point of being destructive. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is a prime example of this, as he has built her up in his mind to be the perfect woman and the key to his happiness. Similarly

The novel also explores the theme of love and relationships, particularly the idea that love can be idealized and romanticized to the point of being destructive. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is a prime example of this, as he has built her up in his mind to be the perfect woman and the key to his happiness. Similarly

Daisy's own idealised image of Gatsby is shattered when she learns the truth about his past and his illegal activities.

Fitzgerald also comments on the class divisions of American society, particularly the way in which the wealthy elite view themselves as superior to those in the lower classes. This is exemplified in the characters of Tom and Daisy, who are dismissive of those who are not as wealthy or privileged as they are. Fitzgerald suggests that this class division leads to a lack of empathy and understanding between different groups of people.

Symbolism

One of the most important symbols in the novel is the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, which represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams for the future. Gatsby associates the light with Daisy, and he often stares at it longingly from his own house. The green light is a metaphor for the unattainable nature of the American Dream, as Gatsby can never truly have Daisy or achieve the happiness he desires.

Another important symbol is the valley of ashes, which represents the decay and corruption of American society. The valley is a desolate, grey landscape filled with industrial waste and pollution, and it serves as a contrast to the wealth and glamour of the East and West Eggs. The characters in the novel are all affected by the valley of ashes in some way, whether it be through their interactions with the lower-class characters who live and work there or through their own complicity in the economic system that produces it.

The billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg is another important symbol in the novel, as it represents the loss of traditional values and the rise of commercialism in American society. The eyes on the billboard are described as "god-like," and they watch over the characters in the novel as they engage in immoral and corrupt behavior. The billboard serves as a reminder of the decline of morality in the modern world.

Characters

Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of the novel, and he is a mysterious and enigmatic figure. He is determined to win back Daisy's love, and he uses his wealth and connections to try and make this happen. Gatsby is ultimately a tragic figure, as his obsession with Daisy leads to his downfall and death.

Daisy Buchanan is the object of Gatsby's affection, and she is depicted as a beautiful and charming but ultimately shallow and selfish character. She is torn between her love for Gatsby and her loyalty to her husband, Tom, and she ultimately chooses the latter. Daisy is a symbol of the empty and superficial lifestyle of the wealthy elite in the 1920s.

Tom Buchanan is Daisy's husband, and he is a wealthy and arrogant character who looks down upon those who are not as privileged as he is. He is involved in extramarital affairs and is ultimately responsible for Gatsby's death, as he tells Myrtle's husband that Gatsby was the one who hit and killed her.

Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel, and he is a young man from the Midwest who moves to New York City to work in the bond business. He becomes friends with Gatsby and is drawn into his world of wealth and excess. Nick serves as a moral compass for the novel, as he is the only character who shows any empathy for and understanding for those who are not as privileged as he is.

Myrtle Wilson is Tom's mistress, and she is a working-class character who is married to George Wilson, a mechanic. Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident by Daisy, who is driving Gatsby's car at the time. Myrtle's death serves as a catalyst for the novel's tragic ending.

Historical Context

"The Great Gatsby" is set during the Roaring Twenties, a time of great social and cultural change in America. The novel reflects the excesses

and decadence of this era, as well as the disillusionment and uncertainty that followed World War I. The Roaring Twenties were a time of economic prosperity, technological advances, and cultural change, as women gained more rights and freedoms and new forms of entertainment such as jazz music and cinema emerged.

However, this period was also marked by social and political unrest, as many Americans felt disillusioned by the country's involvement in World War I and the effects of the Prohibition era, which banned the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression also had a significant impact on American society, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and despair.

Fitzgerald's novel captures the contradictions and complexities of this era, as it portrays the excesses and extravagance of the wealthy elite while also depicting the struggles and hardships of those in the lower classes. The novel also explores the disillusionment and sense of aimlessness that many Americans felt during this time as they struggled to find meaning and purpose in a world that seemed to be rapidly changing.

Conclusion

"The Great Gatsby" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today, nearly a century after its initial publication. The novel explores timeless themes of love, wealth, class, and the elusive nature of the American Dream, and it provides a powerful commentary on the complexities and contradictions of American society during the Roaring Twenties.

Through his vivid imagery, symbolism, and characterizations, Fitzgerald creates a portrait of a society that is both alluring and corrupt, and he ultimately suggests that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to a sense of emptiness and disillusionment. The novel's tragic ending serves as a reminder of the dangers of obsession and the consequences of indulging in excess.

Overall, "The Great Gatsby" is a masterpiece of American literature that continues to inspire and captivate readers with its vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age and its enduring themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream.