...F. Scott Fitzgerald uses different types of literary elements to emphasize the multiple themes presented throughout the book. Numerous times throughout the book, Fitzgerald uses multiple literary elements, specifically imagery, to represent the amount of wealth possessed by the characters. Fitzgerald uses imagery to help the reader develop an understanding about the characters, their personality, and their characteristics. Imagery really targets one theme and characteristic, specifically wealth. There are multiple examples of how Fitzgerald implements and takes advantage of this literary device to help develop the theme of wealth throughout the book. The author uses imagery to help him develop the theme of wealth throughout the book. There are multiple examples throughout the book that exemplify this idea. A perfect example lies on page 5 when Nick says, “The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard-it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden. It was Gatsby’s mansion.” This quote describes Gatsby’s house using imagery and shows the...
Words: 875 - Pages: 4
...The Great Gatsby: The Corruption of the American Dream through Materialism The American dream is an ideal that has been present since American literature’s onset. Typically, the dreamer aspires to rise from rags to riches, while accumulating such things as love, high status, wealth, and power on his way to the top. The dream has had variations throughout different time periods, although it is generally based on ideas of freedom, self-reliance, and a desire for something greater. The early settlers’ dream of traveling out West to find land and start a family has gradually transformed into a materialistic vision of having a big house, a nice car, and a life of ease. In the past century, the American dream has increasingly focused on material items as an indication of attaining success. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a self-made man who started out with no money—only a plan for achieving his dream. He is so blinded by his luxurious possessions that he does not see that money cannot buy love or happiness. Fitzgerald demonstrates how a dream can become corrupted by one’s focus on acquiring wealth, power, and expensive things. Gatsby’s dream “is a naïve dream based on the fallacious assumption that material possessions are synonymous with happiness, harmony, and beauty” (Fahey 70). His American dream has become corrupted by the culture of wealth and opulence that surrounds him. Gatsby is a “nouveau riche,” and his romantic view of wealth has not prepared him for the self-interested...
Words: 2539 - Pages: 11
...As Scott F. Fitzgerald invites the reader to see the perspective of the 1920’s from an “honest” and “nonjudgmental” man named Nick Carraway, the views of the rich and ugly collide together, making The Great Gatsby a novel with a twisted and complicated plot. The main character Nick Carraway, is from the west and moves to the overpopulated city of New York. He settles in the “West Egg” of Long Island and meets his mysterious neighbor who goes by the name of Jay Gatsby. Nick visits his cousin Daisy, who lives in the “East Egg” and soon becomes somewhat engaged within the fast, upbeat, party life. (Fitzgerald) Although he is not fully involved, he disentangles himself from the whole scene near the ending due to his observant behavior and disgusted attitude towards the whole outlook. However, his attraction towards Gatsby is a main focus. Readers are captivated by Gatsby’s admirable perseverance and determination in working towards achieving his goal of winning Daisy’s heart and beyond that, the American dream, yet his greatness predicts his downfall. Gatsby’s desire of becoming wealthy and dedication to this goal reflects how admirable he is because created himself out of nothing; he “sprang from his Platonic conception of himself; he was a son of God-.” (Fitzgerald, 104) He “reinvented” himself, using his imagination and being “faithful to the end” until he was the prosperous man he wanted to become. But this accomplished goal of becoming wealthy was only a small step...
Words: 1124 - Pages: 5
...world, but never the same love twice. In, “The Great Gatsby”, Jay Gatsby the main character has this false hope of trying to relive his past again with his one true love, Daisy. F. Scott Fitzgerald shows the heroic elements of him being the tragic hero because he goes through this continuous cycle of false hope of getting the love of his life. Jay Gatsby came from a necessitous family and in rural North Dakota and wanted something much bigger from life. Gatsby absolutely despised the idea of him being in poverty, he had even worked a janitorial job to pay for his tuition but had to give it up because he was so embarrassed by it. As his dream was always to be rich, the only thing that really helped...
Words: 1276 - Pages: 6
...and accomplishment. F Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, is an effective critique on the corruption that surrounds the American Dream. It is also a commentary on the warped view of Western hedonism and idealized lifestyles. The dream is portrayed strongly through the characters, depicting undignified ways to obtain wealth, the amoral social interactions and the illusion of affection and false fellowship. Thus exposing the unscrupulousness, self-absorption and disillusionment that lie at the wake of the American Dream. Fitzgerald critiques on the ideal of ‘self-made’ men (financially) and how through sheer desperation, men stray from conformity and followed a deviated path in order to reach wealth. The American Dream is the belief that regardless of one’s socio-economic background, an individual could still reach financial triumph through hard work, education and drive-which has been the belief of the American society. According to American sociologist Robert K. Merton, American society has generated common desires and pressures for material possession-which is how success was measured- those who fail to succeed by conformity or valid means, resort to devious acts to do so. Fitzgerald comments on this aspect of his society through the portrayal of Gatsby in the novel; who employed unorthodox ways of obtaining wealth in order to gain his incommunicable desire for Daisy’s affection. His illegal background was hinted by Gatsby himself: “… You see, I carry on a little business...
Words: 1195 - Pages: 5
...How Does Fitzgerald Show the Importance of Society in the Opening Chapters of The Great Gatsby? The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel penned by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was an American novelist and short story writer. The tale of The Great Gatsby is set in a modified version of the Long Island and New York City area of the USA, with correlations to The Hamptons. Throughout the opening chapters of the novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a vast amount of characters, motifs and themes to show the importance of society. These can vary massively but all appear to imply how corrupt society was in the 1920s. He also shows how the innate social standing of people defines and limits them for the rest of their lives. Fitzgerald portrays the 1920s as an era of decayed social and moral values, evidenced in the cynicism, greed, and empty pursuit of pleasure seen within nearly all of the characters. Capital is one of the main focuses of the novel, and it becomes apparent that throughout the tale, it defines not only their social standing, but the level of respect which they receive along with how they are interpreted by others in the novel. Fitzgerald begins the novel with an introduction from the narrator and one of the main protagonists, Nick Carraway. Carraway fought in the First World War, which we later find out he fought alongside Gatsby, giving them some form of common ground to base a ‘friendship’ upon. The novel initially begins with a poignant message from the father of Carraway; “When...
Words: 2629 - Pages: 11
...The Great Gatsby ; Gatsby definition of love In The Great Gatsby by Scott F.Fitzgerald(1925) the novel displays the relationships Jay Gatsby conveys to Daisy Buchanan.In the novel the author shows Jay Gatsby love obsession through Daisy's materialistic status with the new wealth he has brought to the West Egg.He changes his old ways to become a high social class man to gain Daisy love back.In the tea scene we see Gatsby keeps pictures from Daisy to show them off to her .Then we have Nicks home where Gatsby spends money on Daisy by arranging Nicks home. Next Gatsby home is across Daisy but he never is notice by her so he uses his parties to bring up her attention. Ms.Wilson tragic death becomes a reason for Gtasby in protecting Daisy from...
Words: 1411 - Pages: 6
...often consider the lower class less pleasing, and often less than human than themselves. Through a Marxist reading of The Great Gatsby, we can see how Fitzgerald portrayed the “elite upper class” as lacking a sense moral responsibility. To these characters nothing is of value unless it furthers their elite status, they show little concern for anyone but themselves and place little value on human life. Marxist theory asserts that in Capitalism, desired people are perceived as desirable objects. Often in Gatsby, human beings are treated as objects to be obtained. When we see Daisy’s daughter she is brought out as a show piece. Daisy shows her off and then sends her away with her nurse even though the child asks to stay with her mother. Daisy treats her like an object talking about her as though she were an inanimate object. She wants her daughter to look perfect, like a "little dream" (Fitzgerald123). Her daughter is nothing more than another way to establish her social status. Daisy demonstrates that clearly wealth and class are important rather than just wealth or love. Gatsby himself seems to be obsessed with wealth and image and obviously takes any measures necessary to attain them. He is very proud and boastful regarding his mansion and Rolls Royce, “It’s pretty, isn’t it, old sport…Haven’t you seen it before?” (Fitzgerald 68) In pursuing Daisy, Gatsby seems more concerned with showing her his house and...
Words: 1349 - Pages: 6
...Juliet is one of the most notorious plays, despite its appalling ending. Authors have made it a point to sell tragedy in order to make money. However, my perspective on that opinion has been changed. I read The Great Gatsby during my sophomore year in high school as a part of an American literature class. By the end of the book, I realized that no matter what happens in life, it will still keep going and I should only have to look at the optimistic part of it. For some reason, I felt sympathy for Gatsby,...
Words: 2292 - Pages: 10
...materialistic vision of a big house, nice car, and living the easy life. As represented in the novel The Great Gatsby and Baz Luhrmann’s, The Great Gatsby, the American Dream was more focused on instant gratification of material things and needing material things as an indication of success. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby and Baz Luhrmann’s, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a renaissance man; a man who has it all but started out with nothing. His plan was to achieve his dream. He was so blinded by his possessions, in front of him, that he could not see that money could not buy love or happiness. Fitzgerald demonstrated how a dream can be corrupted by one’s focus on accruing wealth, power, and expensive things. Gatsby’s dream was “ambiguous, contradictory, romantic in nature, and undeniably beautiful while at the same time grotesquely flawed” (Hearne 189). His American Dream had become tarnished and corrupted by the culture of money and opulence that surrounded him. Gatsby was ‘new money’, and his romantic view of the wealthy did not prepare him for the self- absorbed, snobbish, group of people he was about to associate himself with. He threw lavish parties every night, yet he had no real friends to surround himself with. Gatsby bought expensive things and entertained a lot of people, but he was hoping for something more. Nick Caraway realized that Gatsby was involved in a few...
Words: 2843 - Pages: 12
...Close to 100 years after its publication, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" remains an American classic. One challenge it presents today is realizing how the Roaring '20s tale of Jay Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and romance is still suitable in our society today. The novel's portrayal of social stratification, fabrication of fame and celebrity create incredible parallels between Gatsby's world and the present day. Not only are the social classes remarkably similar to today but the story shows another side of social classes not usually read about revealing why this book is still relevant today First Fitzgerald splits the main characters into two classes. The old money class, which is the class that inherits the money in their possession. As demonstrated in the book, the "old money" characters do not have to work to obtain their money and they spend their time mostly lavishing themselves with whatever amuses them.These are the characters like Tom and Daisy. Just like today's society there are plenty of those types of people. Take the Kardashians as an example. They not only have inherited all their money from their father but without that money, they would just be another pretty face. The other class,...
Words: 458 - Pages: 2
...commitment can be seen in Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby,s and Barret Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese, where love, and commitment take two very unique forms. Fitzgerald’s 1920’s America craved opulence and material possessions. This can be seen in Gatsby’s obsessive commitment of Daisy, based in his idealised dream. As Nick poetically describes, Gatsby “believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.” The green light represents the life Gatsby craves for himself, one where Daisy lives with him in his mansion, creating the ideal 1920’s couple. And yet despite Gatsby’s apparent love and commitment to Daisy, he appears more committed to this “green light” and the image he has created for his future. Daisy admits that Gatsby “wants too much” begging that it be enough that she loves him now, admitting she can’t escape her past. But Gatsby reveals himself to be more...
Words: 1001 - Pages: 5
...With The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald made a conscious departure from the writing process of his previous novels. He started planning it in June 1922,[citation needed] after completing his play The Vegetable and began composing The Great Gatsby in 1923.[2] He ended up discarding most of it as a false start, some of which resurfaced in the story "Absolution".[3] Unlike his previous works, Fitzgerald intended to edit and reshape Gatsby thoroughly, believing that it held the potential to launch him toward literary acclaim. He told his editor Maxwell Perkins that the novel was a "consciously artistic achievement" and a "purely creative work — not trashy imaginings as in my stories but the sustained imagination of a sincere and yet radiant world". He added later, during editing, that he felt "an enormous power in me now, more than I've ever had".[4] Oheka Castle on the Gold Coast of Long Island was a partial inspiration for Gatsby's estate.[5] After the birth of their child, the Fitzgeralds moved to Great Neck, Long Island in October 1922, a setting used as the scene for The Great Gatsby.[6] Fitzgerald's neighbors in Great Neck included such prominent and newly wealthy New Yorkers as writer Ring Lardner, actor Lew Fields and comedian Ed Wynn.[3] These figures were all considered to be 'new money', unlike those who came from Manhasset Neck or Cow Neck Peninsula, places which were home to many of New York's wealthiest established families, and which sat across a bay from Great Neck. This...
Words: 2723 - Pages: 11
...“The Great Gatsby”, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, portrays a world filled with rich societal happenings, love affairs, and corruption. Nick Carraway is the engaged narrator of the book, a curious choice considering that he is in a different class and almost in a different world than Gatsby and the other characters. Nick relates the plot of the story to the reader as a member of Gatsby’s circle. He has ambivalent feelings towards Gatsby, despising his personality and corrupted dream but feeling drawn to Gatsby’s magnificent capacity to hope. Using Nick as a moral guide, Fitzgerald attempts to guide readers on a journey through the novel to illustrate the corruption and failure of the American Dream. To achieve this, Nick’s credentials as a reliable narrator are carefully established and reinforced throughout the story. The American Dream is a sensitive and beloved topic in American culture. Discussing its failure and corruption needs to be done gently and morally. Fitzgerald understood this, and therefore acknowledged the need of a kind and cordial narrator within a materialistic society. Enter Nick Carraway, who on the first page lets readers know “In consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgments” pg 7. This statement already serves to set Nick up as a decent and honest man that can be trusted. To back up this statement Fitzgerald included a short section regarding Nick’s family and background. The Carraway’s claim themselves to be loyal Americans. However, when...
Words: 1727 - Pages: 7
...The Great Gatsby: Summary: Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York in the summer of 1922 to learn about the bond business. He rents a house in the West Egg, Long Island, a wealthy area populated by the new rich, people who made their fortunes due to the economic upswing of the Roaring Twenties. Nick’s next-door neighbor in West Egg is a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby, who lives in a huge mansion and throws extravagant parties on the weekends. Nick is unlike the other inhabitants of West Egg—he was educated at Yale and has social connections in East Egg, a fashionable area of Long Island and the home of the upper class. Nick drives out to East Egg one evening to have dinner with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, a former classmate of Nick during his time at Yale. Daisy and Tom introduce Nick to Jordan Baker, a beautiful, cynical young woman with whom Nick begins a romantic relationship. Nick also learns a bit about Daisy and Tom’s marriage: Jordan tells him that Tom has a lover, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the valley of ashes, a gray industrial dumping ground between West Egg and New York City. Not long after this revelation, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle. At a random, vulgar party in the apartment that Tom bought because of his affair, Myrtle begins to taunt Tom about Daisy, and Tom responds by breaking her nose. As the summer progresses, Nick eventually gets an invitation to one of Gatsby’s legendary parties. He encounters...
Words: 4924 - Pages: 20
