modernism in the great gatsby essays

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The Great Gatsby

The shift from realism to modernism anonymous.

During the modernist era, artists gradually moved away from realism towards themes of illusion, consciousness, and imagination. In the visual arts, realism evolved into cubism and expressionism. This movement is paralleled in literature, as illusions and a feeling of flux replaced the realist themes of moral truth and intimacy. What, we must ask, was the impetus for this change? Although the paintings offer little insight, an analysis of the literature provides some information. An examination of the evolution from "The Country of the Pointed Firs" to "The Great Gatsby" reveals that Jewett and Fitzgerald attribute this change to the social force of urbanization. Jewett, a realist writer, offers readers a time and place where these forces are minimal, and the characters are able to achieve intimacy in their relationships, find moral truths in life, and perceive reality. She contrasts these scenes with a few examples of the destructive infiltration of city life into the countryside. Fitzgerald's modernist novel sets up the same argument, but centers on city life. He focuses on characters living in the New York metropolis area that are plagued by an obsession with the superficialities of materialism, which leads to...

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A WAY WITH LITERATURE

Your Compass in Literature and General Paper.

• Apr 20, 2022
• 10 min read

Modernist Elegy | The Great Gatsby

In this article, we will explore the intersections of modernism, absurdity and the thematic concerns of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

By: Coach Ken

Jay Gatsby, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, reaching for the green light in the 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby .

Modernism and Absurdity: A Brief (Literary, Historical and Philosophical) Context

The Modernist impulse can be understood as a response to the rapid and major social changes , industrialisation and urbanisation of the Western world . More significantly, the ideas and concerns of Modernism arose from the culturally traumatic events of World War I , where the unprecedented enormity of the war had undermined humankind’s faith in the foundations of Western society and culture . Imagine being in a world which transforms into something unrecognisable quickly, and imagine losing everything that matters to you to an especially devastating war. Rationality becomes irrelevant, for the world makes no sense to you. In the face of senseless violence and rampant loss , the world became an increasingly absurd and meaningless place.

In other words, the general human condition was that of rootlessness , alienation, loss, disillusion, senselessness and despair. As such, a sense of fragmentation and disillusionment with established orders pervades most of Modernist Literature. Such ideas and characteristics are thus, often reflected in the literary techniques of literary texts , such as in the advent of the unreliable narrator (for truth is hardly a stable concept to the Modernist thinker), and the use of fragmented narrative structures , to name a few.

In the context of America, American Modernism was a reflection of American life in the 20th century. In the quickly industrialising world and hastened pace of life , it was easy for the individual to be swallowed up by the vastness of things, left wandering, devoid of purpose . Social boundaries in race, class, sex, wealth and religion were being challenged. As the social structure was challenged by new incoming views , the bounds of traditional standards and social structure dissolved , and a loss of identity was what remained post-war, translating eventually into isolation, alienation and an overall feeling of separateness from any kind of "whole".

The Great Gatsby aptly mirrors these elements of American Modernist thought and life : The novel reflects an American society with loosening gender norms and social boundaries , indulgence in a hedonistic (meaningless) lifestyle , its characters alienated, rootless and restless .

In the next section, we shall explore this Modernist condition in the novel with greater detail.

Nobody Cares, Nothing Matters: Modernist Absurdity in The Great Gatsby

Whilst Fitzgerald showcases the lavish splendour and glamour of the Jazz Age , the material opulence conceals a deeper spiritual hollowness and societal alienation characterising Modernist American life. The most prominent displays of hedonistic opulence are in Gatsby's parties :

"Every Friday five creates of oranges and lemons arrived from a fruiterer in New York - every Monday these same oranges and lemons left his back door in a pyramid of pulpless halves."

Fitzgerald presents the sheer magnitude of consumption through the image of the "pyramid of pulpless halves" , where the remnants of the consumed fruits form a tangible and formidable structure.

Furthering this motif of excessive consumption, in a time where the production and sale of alcohol are made illegal (Prohibition Era), alcohol is not only present in the novel , it is copiously present :

"floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside"

Fitzgerald's kinaesthetic image of the cocktails floating around and permeating the space of the novel not only suggests its abundance and infusion into the atmosphere , but ascribes a sense of mystique to his parties as these cocktails seem to take on an mobile agency of their own.

Moreover, this magical wonder is also seen here:

"Suddenly one of the gypsies, in trembling opal, seizes a cocktail out of the air, dumps it down for courage"

The image of the cocktail appearing out of nowhere , "seizes a cocktail out of the air", recalls the surreal movement and abundant presence of the cocktails in the garden, and further contributes to the surreal and otherworldly quality to the party.

Despite the relaxed and ebullient atmosphere of the parties, there is a striking sense of alienation and lack of individual distinction that punctures the party's glamour: Nobody knows each other, nor cares about each other. Nick notes that there are

"swirls and eddies of people I didn't know - though here and there was a face I had noticed on the commuting train."

Here, Fitzgerald, with the use of kinaesthetic imagery and metaphor , compares the party-goers to "swirls and eddies", which captures their random, erratic movements ; engendering a sense of disorientation not only in Nick, but also in the reader . The implication here is that Nick does not recognise anybody not only because of his unfamiliarity with the party-goers , but also due to the ever-changing , surreal magical quality of the party which renders any stable perception of individual identity impossible. This notion is further explored with the image of the random face , "here and there was a face". Here, the face is anonymous and indistinct ; its vagueness amplified by the magnitude of space with the use of adverb , "here and there", further cementing the impression of indistinct individuals stripped of their unique identities.

Whilst Nick certainly articulates the pervasive sense of disorientation and isolation, the cardinal figure embodying this isolation is Gatsby. For all of the party's sociality and action, its host is most isolated from its bustle :

"A wafer of a moon was shining over Gatsby's house, making the night fine as before, and surviving the laugher and the sound of his still glowing garden. A sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows and the great doors, endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the porch, his hand up in a formal gesture of farewell."

Here, there is a contrast in mood , where the jovial mood of the party, "laughter" and "sound of his still glowing garden" gives way to a sense of hollowness , "sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows". Perhaps, like the insubstantiality of the moon's glow , "wafer of a moon", the party's glamour and pleasures are only temporary and fragile veils that hide its spiritual hollowness . The "emptiness", reified into a tangible fluid, becomes Gatsby's defining characteristic instead of his corporeal body or his distinct features, "endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host", thus echoing the varying, incoherent accounts of Gatsby's identity and the uncertainty that enshrouds it .

Furthering the notion of individual identity being irrelevant to an apathetic , mutually alienated community is Nick's observation of a drunken woman in West Egg:

"In the foreground four solemn men in dress suits are walking along the sidewalk with a stretcher on which lies a drunken woman in a white sparkling dress. Her hand, which dangles over the side, sparkles cold with jewels. Gravely the men turn in at a house - the wrong house. But no one knows the woman's name, and no one cares."

Here, there is great attention on the nameless woman's and men's luxurious clothing and accessories, "dress suits", "white sparkling dress" and "sparkles cold with jewels". The luxury is attractive as seen in the light imagery associated with the material wealth , "white [and] sparkling" and jewels "[sparkle]". This allure is ultimately meretricious as the language of temperature "cold" reflects the emotional sterility and sheer apathy towards the drunken woman , "no one knows the woman's name, and no one cares."The repetition of "no one" further emphasises the complete isolation and alienation of the individual from society.

Our J2 student, Amanda C. , sharply observes that this alienation and mutual apathy is a societal issue in one of her essays by examining the first car accident in Chapter 3 :

"Aside from Owl Eyes and the driver, the spectators of the accident, although not directly involved, also reflect the common apathy, indifference and disregard that society holds towards one another. The people around are described as “observers”, taking on a passive role as they simply watch and stare. They then become a “crowd”, a group of people just gathered around the commotion to see what’s going on without helping, or contributing to the damage control. When the driver emerges from the car, they “stepped back involuntarily”. This kinaesthetic imagery captures the spectators, physically moving away from the scene, creates a sense of distance from the accident, which is a external representation of their subconscious desire to not be involved, lest they get dragged into the messy situation. Ironically, although Fitzgerald portrays the crowd to be large in numbers, they are not given a strong presence beyond their mere watchful eyes. The only form of conscious action that they take is when they “pointed at the amputated wheel”, and their “fingers” become their only noticeable trait. Fitzgerald draws attention to the crowd’s pointed fingers while they remained on the sidelines, underscoring their disturbing behaviour of consuming others’ misfortune as mere entertainment, as long as they are in the safety of their own bubble. The behaviour of these onlookers is consistent with the rest of the novel’s scenes of accidents, highlighting the general apathy and selfishness that was festered in the twentieth century." ( Credits: Amanda C, AWWL 2022 Student)

American dream: Unattainable, Insignificant and Absurd

As much as we would like to think of the opulence, especially Gatsby's opulence, as hedonistic and meaningless, we need to entertain the possibility of a greater meaning that lies within Gatsby's opulence . When Jordan Baker tells Nick that "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay", Nick notes:

"He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendour."

Here, Fitzgerald uses a metaphor of pregnancy and birth , comparing Gatsby to a newborn infant. This metaphor connotes a form of rebirth for Gatsby into a different person: Where his personhood was previously defined by a hedonistic grandeur, it is now genuine and purposeful.

Yet, in actualising this genuine quest of love via wealth and social class , the reader might detect an absurdity to Gatsby's pursuits . For, his desires for a genuine romantic connection cannot escape the pervasive presence of wealth. This is seen during Gatsby's reunion with Daisy in Chapter 5, where in Gatsby's perception, Daisy is conflated with wealth and material :

"Sometimes too, he stared around at his possessions in a dazed way, as though in her actual presence none of it was any longer real."

This is conflation is most clearly explored here in Fitzgerald's juxtaposition between Daisy's corporeal presence and Gatsby's material objects , suggesting that his material objects are conduits for attaining Daisy's love , or even, physical representations of Daisy , which must lose their materiality and thus significance in successfully attaining Daisy's affection.

While Gatsby manages to move Daisy and restore her love for him, the reader cannot help but wonder: How genuine is this love?

"'They're such beautiful shirts,' she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. 'It makes me sad because I've never seen such - such beautiful shirts before.'"

Whilst it seems that Daisy appears genuinely emotional , as seen in the verb, "sobbed", the repeated references to the "beautiful shirts" suggest Daisy‘s focus on the material wealth , rather than being Gatsby's love , thus diminishing the grand significance of Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy and his self-transformation . Moreover, it may appear ludicrous and absurd that a person can be so emotionally stirred by material wealth , conveying the superficiality and spiritual poverty shared by the hedonistic Jazz Age denizens. Thus, Gatsby seeks true love , only to be lost in the meretricious pursuit of wealth , and the corresponding vapid materialism of the pursued subject (Daisy) .

The novel's exploration of the absurdity of the American dream is perhaps then best summed up in Owl-eyes' epitaphic expletive for Gatsby , a "poor son-of-a-bitch", stripped of all awareness of his past allure and only casually aware of his fundamental insignificance and misfortune. Neither does the reader perceive Gatsby's presence during his death , as Fitzgerald's image of "thin red circle in the water" that concludes Gatsby's existence connotes mere insignificance by virtue of Gatsby’s lack of substantial corporeal presence. This notion is also explored in the image of stillness "faint, barely perceptible movement of the water", suggestive of Gatsby's lack of tangible impact and legacy on the world.

Concluding Thoughts: Hopeful Futility of The Great Gatsby

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further ... And one fine morning - "

The parallelism in Fitzgerald's use of comparative verbs , "faster" and "further", creates a sense of unending movement and forward progress , engendering a sense of hope as the reader anticipates for a successful end-point in the future . The phrase and image of "one fine morning", solidifies this hope; only to be subverted and shattered by the em dash , denying the reader any satisfaction of a successful conclusion ; an echo of Gatsby's tragic downfall.

Whilst the ending of Fitzgerald's novel is a pessimistic one, and some read the novel as a warning about the futility in chasing (impossible) dreams, it is worth considering these questions : What else could Gatsby have done? What else can we do? Perhaps nothing.

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

We are often victims of our circumstances , and victims to forces larger than ourselves , as seen in the fricative forces connoted by the image of the boats struggling "against the current". This imagery of the boats unable to make forward progress by virtue of external forces acting against itself may be read as and applied to the individual's lived experience: trying so hard to move forward yet remaining perpetually stagnant .

Yet, this pessimistic understanding is an antithesis to Gatsby's dreamer spirit : Whilst some dreams might be impossible to achieve, or even misplaced, should we just watch life pass us by? Perhaps not, for what is there to life, if we simply sit by and do nothing? Like Gatsby , we all have our grails, our objects of desire - our "green light"; fatal seductions like a moth to a flame .

Perhaps we may admire Gatsby's dreamer spirit, or even share Nick's romanticisation of it, but we should not forget to protect ourselves from the dangers of meretricious allures. I distinctly remember my Literature teacher giving me some wise words back in Hwa Chong Institution (College) before I graduated, "Don't chase the green light", and I (less) wisely repeat it here: It is beautiful to dream, and even more beautiful when pursuing it, but the consequences of chasing unworthy and misplaced ones are far uglier.

Or depending on how vulnerable we feel on a particular point in time and space, we may luxuriate in Gatsby's "appalling sentimentality" and indulge in the hopeful futility of The Great Gatsby. For, we always need something commensurate to our capacity for wonder, something commensurate to our desperation to ameliorate the grimness of reality, something commensurate to our lust for a false promise of self-empowerment, even if it compels us into a contemplation we neither understand nor desire. So we falter forward, lost in the swirls and eddies of aimless wonderment that follow The Great Gatsby .

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An Introduction to Modernism and The Great Gatsby

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It is apparent that Fitzgerald had not only represented the commercialism, consumerism and carelessness of the Jazz Age in the best fashion, he had himself become the Age by moulding his life in an equally careless way. The “gaudy spree” of the age is not better represented in any other work than The Great Gatsby. The melancholy tone of jazz music can best be heard in Gatsby’s parties in their opulent consumerism, violent drinking and dispirited humanity: yet the hollowness of it all becomes apparent when the reader learns that Gatsby himself is not interested in all this because he hosts the parties to attract only one woman, Daisy. The superficiality of the motive of the disinterested host can only be redeemed with the full understanding of the symbolic significance of the quest; till then the noise is only of decadence.

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The thesis explores how the literary status of Fitzgerald’s novel published in 1925 evolved from being dismissed to becoming a canonical work of American Literature after the death of its author. The role of criticism and adaptations and how they intertwined to popularize the novel among the academic elite and the general public is examined. Four critical studies in different decades of recent history are analyzed to show the different approaches to the novel as well as its relation to the American Dream. The thesis suggests that the four critical studies discussed reflect viewpoints impacted by the cultural and socio-economic factors that marked the decade of their appearance: Kermit Moyer (1973), Ross Posnock (1984), Ray Canterbery (1999), and Benjamin Shreier (2007). Their approaches demonstrate the many ways The Great Gatsby can be viewed and thus its richness as a text. The three film adaptations of the novel in turn depict directors’ take on the novel as well as exhibiting the limitations, predilections, and technical possibilities of the time of their production: Nugent’s (1949), Clayton’s (1974), and Luhrmann’s (2013). The controversial aspects of these adaptations as indicated by reviews and articles, which evaluate them as to how they present Gatsby and the American Dream, have increased the debate and the interest in the novel. Though the novel is located in the U.S. in the Roaring Twenties associated with the Jazz Age, it continues to speak to present audience by evoking issues related to class, mobility, ethics, and romance.

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• Modernism In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a novel by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book was first published in 1925 and is set in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island in 1922. The story follows Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who is desperate to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan.

Modernism was a major cultural movement that took place in the early 20th century. The movement was characterized by a rejection of traditional values and conventions, and an embrace of new ideas and technologies. Modernism had a profound impact on literature, with many writers exploring new styles and themes. The Great Gatsby is considered to be a modernist novel, due to its focus on themes such as disillusionment, consumerism, and the loss of innocence.

Despite being set in the past, The Great Gatsby has had a lasting impact on modern culture. The novel has been adapted into films, television shows, and stage productions. It is also considered to be one of the great American novels.

From 1890 to 1950, modernist literature emerged as a response to the world’s increasing industrialization and globalization. This was largely due to the harmful effects of WWI, WWII, and the Great Depression had on people. Because of how rapidly things were changing back then, many people were just barely scraping by.

The Modernist writers used their literature as a way to express the chaotic world around them. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is one of the most notable examples of Modernist literature. The novel portrays America during the 1920s, which was a time of great prosperity and excess. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, embodies the American Dream and the effects of its corruption. The novel highlights the shallowness of the upper class and how they are only concerned with materialistic things.

The Great Gatsby shows how people can be easily influenced by money and power and how that can lead to self-destruction. Modernism was a literary movement that forever changed the way we look at literature. It was a reaction to the chaotic world around them and it is still relevant today. The Great Gatsby is a perfect example of how Modernist literature can give us a new perspective on the world around us.

The political system in the United States was judged to be dysfunctional by Modernist writers. As a result, many of these writers expressed their dissatisfaction or weighed in on a social issue or prior beliefs. There was a deliberate move away from previous styles of writing that valued fractured forms, discontinuous narrative, and subjectivity.

The Great Gatsby is one of the most well-known novels of the Modernist movement. The book was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925. The novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby and his unrequited love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.

The book is set in 1922, a time when America was booming economically, but there was a great deal of social unrest. The novel highlights the themes of love, money, greed, and betrayal. The Great Gatsby is considered to be one of the greatest novels of all time and it is certainly a quintessential work of American literature.

Stream of consciousness, a literary technique that seeks to reveal an individual’s point of view by inserting the character’s thoughts and feelings into the narrative, was used frequently in modernist novels.

The Great Gatsby is an excellent example of this technique as Jay Gatsby’s thoughts and feelings are often revealed to the reader through his interactions with others as well as his internal monologues. This allows readers to gain a greater understanding of Gatsby’s character and how he perceives the world around him.

Modernism was also a time period in which there was a great deal of social change. This is reflected in The Great Gatsby through the characters’ relationships with each other as well as their attitudes towards life. The characters in The Great Gatsby are often unhappy with their lives and feel that they are trapped in a world that does not understand them. This sense of alienation is another key characteristic of modernist literature.

In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a perfect example of the modernist ideal of the “self-made man”. He is a man who has worked hard to achieve his goals and create his own success. Gatsby is also a character who is always reaching for something more and is never satisfied with what he has. This desire for something greater than oneself is another key characteristic of modernism.

The Great Gatsby is a classic novel that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the modernist movement. It is a story about hope, disillusionment, and the pursuit of happiness. The characters in The Great Gatsby are all searching for something that they cannot find in their own lives. They are all looking for a way to escape the emptiness and loneliness that they feel. The Great Gatsby is a reminder that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can never go back to the past and recapture what was lost.

Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby captures the social and economic change in America during the 20th century. Three examples from the novel that illustrate this concept are how all of Fitzgerald’s characters represent different aspects of society, how Jay Gatsby is a modernist hero, and the symbolism behind Dr. T.J Eckleberg eyes and what they represent.

Each character in The Great Gatsby is a embodiment of different aspects of the 20th century. Fitzgerald uses Daisy and Tom Buchanan to represent the hollowness of the upper class, Jordan Baker to represent the new independence of women and Nick Carraway to represent the narrator who is both an insider and outsider looking in. Jay Gatsby is the perfect example of a modernist hero because he is constantly striving to improve himself and create his own identity. The symbolism behind Dr. T.J. Eckleberg’s eyes represent the moral decline of America during the 1920s.

The Great Gatsby captures the time period of modernism perfectly and illustrates how this new social and economic change was difficult for many people to accept. The characters, Jay Gatsby and the symbolism behind Dr. T.J. Eckleberg’s eyes are all excellent examples of this central concept in the novel.

The characters in The Great Gatsby represent the worst of the twentieth century: money, social class, industry, and organized crime. Tom Buchanan is a bigot who is free with his racism. He says, “Civilization is coming to an end. If we don’t look out for the white race, it will be completely submerged” (13). “It’s up to us, as the dominant race, to guard against these other races taking control of things” he continues (15).

Nick, the narrator, describes him as “one of the few honest people I have ever known”(14). Gatsby is a self-made man that achieved his wealth through illegal means. He is a criminal that lives in luxury and throws lavish parties. Daisy Buchanan is a beautiful woman that is married to Tom. She is unfaithful to her husband and has an affair with Gatsby. Jordan Baker is a professional golfer that is also dishonest. Nick describes her as “incurably dishonest”(28). These characters embody the moral decay of the 20th century.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — The Great Gatsby

Essays on The Great Gatsby

The great gatsby essay topic examples.

Whether you want to analyze the American Dream, compare and contrast characters, vividly describe settings and characters, persuade readers with your viewpoints, or share personal experiences related to the story, these essay ideas provide a diverse perspective on the themes and complexities within the book.

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays require you to analyze and present arguments related to the novel. Here are some topic examples:

• 1. Argue whether the American Dream is achievable or illusory, as depicted in The Great Gatsby .
• 2. Analyze the moral ambiguity of Jay Gatsby and the consequences of his relentless pursuit of the American Dream.

Example Introduction Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a tale of ambition, decadence, and the elusive American Dream. This essay delves into the complex theme of the American Dream, exploring whether it remains attainable or has transformed into a tantalizing illusion, luring individuals like Jay Gatsby into its enigmatic embrace.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: In conclusion, the analysis of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby invites us to reevaluate our perceptions of success and fulfillment. As we contemplate the fate of Jay Gatsby and the characters entangled in his world, we are challenged to define our own version of the American Dream and the sacrifices it may entail.

Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays enable you to examine similarities and differences within the novel or between it and other literary works. Consider these topics:

• 1. Compare and contrast the characters of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, exploring their contrasting worldviews and motivations.
• 2. Analyze the similarities and differences between the portrayal of the Jazz Age in The Great Gatsby and Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises .

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay: The characters and settings in The Great Gatsby and other literary works offer a rich tapestry for comparison and contrast. This essay embarks on a journey to compare and contrast the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and the brash Tom Buchanan, delving into their contrasting values, aspirations, and roles within the novel.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay: In conclusion, the comparison and contrast of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan illuminate the divergent paths individuals can take in pursuit of their desires. As we consider the consequences of their choices, we are prompted to reflect on the complexities of ambition and morality.

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays allow you to vividly depict settings, characters, or events within the novel. Here are some topic ideas:

• 1. Describe the opulent parties at Gatsby's mansion, emphasizing the decadence and extravagance of the Jazz Age.
• 2. Paint a detailed portrait of Daisy Buchanan, focusing on her beauty, charm, and the allure she holds for Gatsby.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay: The Great Gatsby immerses readers in the lavish world of the Roaring Twenties. This essay embarks on a descriptive exploration of the extravagant parties at Gatsby's mansion, capturing the opulence and hedonism of the era, as well as the illusions they create.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay: In conclusion, the descriptive portrayal of Gatsby's parties serves as a vivid snapshot of the Jazz Age's excesses and the fleeting nature of indulgence. Through this exploration, we are reminded of the allure and transience of the materialistic pursuits that captivated the characters of the novel.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays involve arguing a point of view related to the novel. Consider these persuasive topics:

• 1. Persuade your readers that Nick Carraway is the moral compass of the story, serving as the voice of reason and morality.
• 2. Argue for or against the idea that Gatsby's love for Daisy is genuine and selfless, despite his questionable methods.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay: The Great Gatsby presents a tapestry of characters with complex moral dilemmas. This persuasive essay asserts that Nick Carraway emerges as the moral compass of the story, guiding readers through the labyrinth of decadence and disillusionment in the Jazz Age.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay: In conclusion, the persuasive argument regarding Nick Carraway's role as the moral compass underscores the importance of ethical navigation in a world characterized by excess and moral ambiguity. As we reflect on his influence, we are compelled to consider the enduring value of integrity and virtue.

Narrative Essays

Narrative essays offer you the opportunity to tell a story or share personal experiences related to the themes of the novel. Explore these narrative essay topics:

• 1. Narrate a personal experience where you encountered the allure of materialism and extravagance, similar to the characters in The Great Gatsby .
• 2. Imagine yourself as a character in the Jazz Age and recount your interactions with Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Narrative Essay: The themes of The Great Gatsby resonate with the allure of a bygone era. This narrative essay delves into a personal encounter with the seductive pull of materialism and extravagance, drawing parallels to the characters' experiences in the novel.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Narrative Essay: In conclusion, the narrative of my personal encounter with the allure of materialism reminds us of the timeless nature of the themes in The Great Gatsby . As we navigate our own desires and ambitions, we are encouraged to contemplate the balance between aspiration and morality.

Nicks Personality in The Great Gatsby

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Great Gatsby Color Symbolism Essay

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"The Great Gatsby": Theme and Symbols

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The Portrayal of Female Characters in F.s. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

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April 10, 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Novel; Fiction, Tragedy

Jay Gatsby , Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, Jordan Baker, Meyer Wolfsheim, George B. Wilson, Trimalchio, Mr. Gatz

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote "The Great Gatsby" with multiple motivations in mind. Firstly, he sought to critique the materialistic excesses and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties, a period of post-World War I prosperity. Fitzgerald aimed to expose the disillusionment and hollowness behind the glittering facade of the American Dream. Additionally, he drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of the wealthy elite and their decadent lifestyles. Through the character of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald explored themes of unrequited love, longing, and the pursuit of an unattainable ideal. Ultimately, Fitzgerald's intent was to capture the essence of an era and offer a profound commentary on the human condition.

The story revolves around Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a married woman with whom he had a romantic past. Narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest, the novel delves into the opulent and extravagant lives of the wealthy elite in Long Island. As Gatsby throws lavish parties in the hope of rekindling his relationship with Daisy, the narrative explores themes of love, wealth, illusion, and the disillusionment that comes with the pursuit of the American Dream.

The American Dream , decadence, idealism, resistance to changes, social excess, caution.

The influence of "The Great Gatsby" extends far beyond its initial publication in 1925. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel has become a literary classic, revered for its exploration of themes such as wealth, love, and the elusive American Dream. It remains relevant due to its timeless portrayal of human desires, societal decadence, and the consequences of relentless pursuit. The book's vivid characters and atmospheric prose have inspired countless writers and artists, shaping the landscape of American literature. With its commentary on the dark underbelly of the Jazz Age, "The Great Gatsby" continues to captivate readers, serving as a cautionary tale and a poignant reflection of the human condition.

1. During F. Scott Fitzgerald's lifetime, approximately 25,000 copies of the book were sold. However, since then, it has gained immense popularity, selling over 25 million copies and establishing itself as one of the most renowned American novels. 2. The Great Gatsby did not have its original title as the author considered various options, ranging from "Under the Red, White and Blue" to "The High-Bouncing Lover." These alternative titles were potentially revealing too much about the content prematurely. 3. In 1926, just a year after its publication, the book was adapted into a film, demonstrating its quick transition from page to screen. 4. Fitzgerald's cause of death is believed to have been tuberculosis rather than a heart attack. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 44. 5. The price of this famous novel at the time of its publication in 1925 was $2, representing its value in that era. 6. The Great Gatsby did not immediately receive critical acclaim upon release. However, it has since garnered recognition and praise, becoming a significant literary work.

"The Great Gatsby" has made a significant impact on various forms of media, captivating audiences across generations. The novel has been adapted into several films, with notable versions including the 1974 adaptation starring Robert Redford and the 2013 adaptation featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. These cinematic interpretations have brought the story to life visually, further immersing audiences in the opulent world of Jay Gatsby. Additionally, the novel has been referenced and alluded to in countless songs, television shows, and even video games, solidifying its cultural significance. Its themes of love, wealth, and the pursuit of the American Dream continue to resonate and inspire creative works in popular culture.

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.’” “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” “Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.” “So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight.” “I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”

Studying "The Great Gatsby" holds great importance due to its enduring relevance and literary significance. The novel offers profound insights into themes such as wealth, love, social class, and the corruption of the American Dream. Its exploration of the Jazz Age exposes the allure and emptiness of a materialistic society, making it a compelling study of human desires and societal decay. F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterful prose and symbolic imagery provide rich material for analyzing character development, narrative techniques, and social commentary. Moreover, delving into the novel's historical context allows for a deeper understanding of the cultural and societal shifts of the 1920s.

The inclusion of "The Great Gatsby" as an essay topic for college students stems from its exploration of themes like the American Dream, the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth, and the destructive allure of corruption. The character of Gatsby embodies the American spirit and can be paralleled to contemporary individuals fixated on materialism and fame as measures of romantic success. Furthermore, this literary masterpiece holds a significant place in American literature, as F. Scott Fitzgerald skillfully weaves socio-cultural elements into each sentence, providing a timeless portrayal of American life that resonates across generations. The choice to analyze and write about "The Great Gatsby" allows students to delve into these thought-provoking themes and examine their relevance to society.

1. Stallman, R. W. (1955). Conrad and The Great Gatsby. Twentieth Century Literature, 1(1), 5–12. (https://doi.org/10.2307/441023) 2. John Jerrim, Lindsey Macmillan, (2015). Income Inequality, Intergenerational Mobility, and the Great Gatsby Curve: Is Education the Key?, Social Forces, Volume 94, Issue 2. (https://academic.oup.com/sf/article/94/2/505/2583794) 3. Robert C. Hauhart (2013) Religious Language and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby’s Valley of Ashes, ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, 26:3 (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0895769X.2013.798233) 4. Burnam, T. (1952). The Eyes of Dr. Eckleburg: A Re-Examination of “The Great Gatsby.” College English, 14(1), 7–12. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/371821) 5. Tom Phillips (2018) Passing for White in THE GREAT GATSBY: A Spectroscopic Analysis of Jordan Baker, The Explicator, 76:3. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00144940.2018.1489769?scroll=top&needAccess=true&role=tab) 6. Matterson, S. (1990). The Great Gatsby and Social Class. In: The Great Gatsby. The Critics Debate. Palgrave, London. (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-20768-8_9) 7. Licence, A. (2008). Jay Gatsby: martyr of a materialistic society: Amy Licence considers religious elements in The Great Gatsby. The English Review, 18(3), 24+. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA173676222&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=09558950&p=LitRC&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E5a84816e) 8. Khodamoradpour, Marjan and Anushiravani, Alireza, (2017) Playing the Old Tunes: A Fiskean Analysis of Baz Luhrmann's 2013 Cinematic Adaptation of the Great Gatsby. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, Volume 71. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3020752) 9. Anderson, H. (1968). THE RICH BUNCH IN" THE GREAT GATSBY". Southern Quarterly, 6(2), 163. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/6a9e704a476d873aada2d2529821b95a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2029886)

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