...explains the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald flawlessly. The Great Gatsby is a complex story that can be read in various ways to reach a deeper meaning of understanding. The book has an abundance of descriptive colors that expand on and support the story. These colors can be interpreted differently from person to person based on experiences and situations. In the novel, author F. Scott Fitzgerald uses them well to capture the characteristics of the story. However, this begs the question of how a factor as minor as color can affect so many aspects of...
Words: 1409 - Pages: 6
...F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a great American novel, which criticizes wealth in the American dream. Nick Carraway is the narrator who observes characters such as Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom primarily. Jay Gatsby wants the perfect American dream. He has worked most of his life to get the fame and wealth that will impress Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is his love. In Gatsby’s mind, she is the only girl for him. He is so in love with everything about her. Daisy, however, refuses to accept her love for Gatsby and ultimately chooses Tom in the end. Tom Buchanan is an arrogant jerk who cannot seem to relive his glory days as an elite football player. He tries to feel this void with mistresses, one being Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle wants the life that Daisy...
Words: 1923 - Pages: 8
...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 towards his bigger goal; being with Daisy. Money was only a factor that connected Gatsby to Daisy; if Gatsby was wealthy then surely Daisy would be with him...
Words: 1124 - Pages: 5
...themselves through the process of gaining wealth and fortune. America was seen as a place full of opportunities and was an area to be free and prosper, this idea was known as the “American Dream”. However, this was also a time in which crime, racism and war were all still prevalent. The “American Dream” was an idea which moved passed the faultiness in society and focused more on personal gain and happiness. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the state of the “American Dream” through specific characters who demonstrate different flaws revolving around wealth throughout the entirety of the novel. An important character Fitzgerald crafts to support the claim would be Jay Gatsby. Formally known as James Gatz, Gatsby was just a regular country boy from minnesota who had high hopes of becoming rich from an early age. He has a hard working boy who honorably served his country and later...
Words: 898 - Pages: 4
...life. In American Gangster and The Great Gatsby the protagonists have underestimated the power of imagined desires. Frank, a leader of a Harlem gang in American Gangster, quickly...
Words: 1873 - Pages: 8
...Snyder 8 May 2013 For the Love of Money In The Great Gatsby, a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, money is shown as a boundary between classes. The 1920’s became known as the party period and was during the highest point of the stock market. Fitzgerald shows how money is important through old money and new money. Fitzgerald portrays how the higher class rank is seemed to have a “better” life, while people continuously take advantage of them, are constantly trying to be pleased, and how they are fooled by the lower class trying to pretend they are from the higher class. Those we are in the higher class are taken advantage of by the people. Higher class people often find themselves in situations where the lower class wants something from them. While George Wilson is talking to Tom Buchanan about his car, he says, “But I need money pretty bad, and I was wondering what you were going to do with your old car” (Fitzgerald 123). Otherwise, Wilson does not spend much time talking to Tom. Only when Wilson needs something, does he decide to talk to Tom. Jay Gatsby is a man whose parties were known by everyone. Though, when the time of his funeral arises, no one shows up; “The minister glanced several times at his watch, so I took him aside and asked him to wait for half an hour. But it wasn’t any use. Nobody came” (Fitzgerald 174). Anyone who is anyone comes to Gatsby’s parties, just to say they are there. No one actually cares about Gatsby, and they all take advantage of him and his kindness...
Words: 1371 - Pages: 6
...submerged" This significant quote alone tells the reader about the different ideals and personalities Tom and Gatsby possess. In the great Gatsby, Fitsgerald uses love to contrast Tom's personality from Gatsby's. Both Tom and Gatsby, love Daisy in different ways and despite their differences, both men try to present a facade to the public. Consequently, these differences lead to unhappiness, jealousy, and grief. Tom Buchanan was polo and football athlete in his twenties. Bred in inherited money, he lives a life decadence and luxuries. Tom has a really domineering personality and is unable to restrain his indulgences for lavish goods and women. Tom's love for wealth is described by Jordan Baker when she tells Nick about Daisy's wedding, "... She married Tom Buchanan of Chicago with more pomp... then Louisville had ever seen. He came with a hundred people in four private cars and hired a whole floor of the Seelbach Hotel, and the day before the wedding he gave her a string of pearls worth three hundred and fifty thousand dollar." (Fitzgerald 82) Tom is described to be cold hearted, shallow and the type of person who doesnt care about anything but himself. Tom's reckless and violent nature is described when he, "Smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into [his] money." (Fitzgerald 187-188) Tom has no purpose in life other than to enjoy his wealth with self indulgence. Tom's negative attitude towards races is shown throughout the novel, "It's up to us, who...
Words: 920 - Pages: 4
...22, 2015 The Great Gatsby Essay Just after the World War 1, in the US there had been huge changes that involved all aspects of American life, including a tendency towards materialism, changes in clothing, women getting the right to vote gangster life emerging, parties and dances, and most importantly the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s novel define that American dream changed by time; the first time for European living in America was American dream, and originally any discovery which gave them happiness was American dream, but in the ear of 20s mean for American dream has become perverted into desire for wealth by whatever means; thinking that money will bring happiness. The Great Gatsby, was published in this era; therefore; it gives us a vivid portrayal of that time by demonstrating symbols and character behavior the impossibility of American dream. The characters that Fitzgerald describes in his novel all tie in with many aspect of the 1920s lifestyle. The Jazz Age was a tendency toward materialism, and characters are described in the way that shows materialistic tendency. Callahan says “Critics from several different generations have noted how Fitzgerald used his conflicts to explore the origins and fate of the American dream and the related idea of the nation.” (Callahan). Fitzgerald describes Gatsby, the main character in the novel, as a dream achiever, who is looking for wealth and property even he compare Daisy as an object of wealth. He had dreamed...
Words: 2280 - Pages: 10
...Writers use different types of styles to portray a purpose in their literature. In their styles, figurative language is used because it presents the author's purpose to why the piece of writing was written. The Great Gatsby is a novel full of imagery, similes, and aesthetic language. In chapter three of the novel, vivid descriptions of Gatsby's party is illustrated because Fitzgerald specifically chooses what and how the words should be said. His decision creates a glamorous party scene. Despite the lavish glamour of the novel's party scene, Fitzgerald effectively uses figurative language, choice of diction, and sensory language to depict his purpose. At the beginning of the party scene, Fitzgerald uses a variety of stylistic devices to...
Words: 1000 - Pages: 4
...whatever happens in the past is worth remembering for experiences. The Great Gatsby is a great example because the reader sees that Jay basically builds his success on the way he used to be like when he was younger. First, at the beginning readers see that Gatsby is a wealth man and his past is kept a secret. Suspense is building up and the reader is filled with curiosity because they hear about how he could be a murderer and a decendant of some bad people. Later on, it is said that Jay was not as wealthy as he is now and he lived a different life. Once he meets Dan Cody, he changes completely. Dan was the reason he changed and why he wanted to turn out to be a successful person....
Words: 358 - Pages: 2
...author can give something more significance in a story, and add an extra layer of meaning that wasn’t there before. In “The Great Gatsby” symbolism is used to give a deeper meaning to the story, and by analyzing it the reader can better understand the message it is portraying. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism throughout “The Great Gatsby” in a variety of unique ways to express his feelings about 1920’s America. Between West Egg and the city lies The Valley of Ashes, a place symbolised in “The Great Gatsby”, as grey, and dreary. By using...
Words: 1324 - Pages: 6
...Introduction Some people don’t see the meaning In symbolism, and frantically I feel it is highly overlooked . Symbolism is important because it helps you have a deeper meaning of your story. Oh, but there is more. So kick back, read on and let me open your mind into the world of Symbolism, and why it helps you infer what a book it’s about, how you practice symbolism in your head, or just knowing what some of the symbols mean! It’s easy to figure out what a book is about when you read. But what if I told you you could get a glimpse of what it’s about before even turning a page! For instance in the novel twilight on the cover you see a red apple, as you may know the book is centered around a human girl who falls in love with an immortal vampire....
Words: 528 - Pages: 3
...filtered through. Username raises important that it is from the Midwest. Towards the end of the book he says that all the actors were not from the East, and therefore not suitable to live there. Your past life interferes with their ability to their current life. He also says that he is from the middle class. The class is one of the main themes in the novel, and affects the characters santykius.Didelė part of how people can be treated to their class and social status are related. Daisy take an example. While Nick and Jordan are the lunch she talks about the fact that her little girl. She was very excited after the birth, because Tom was nowhere to be found. When the nurse tells her it girl Daisy said: "I am glad that this girl, and I hope that it is silly that the best thing in the world a girl, a beautiful fool to be" social status of women criticize here. Daisy is a witty and...
Words: 2467 - Pages: 10
...Gatsby: The Deadly Deceiver What makes someone truly happy in life? Is it money? Power? Love? The reasons for happiness vary from person to person. But how much happiness does someone need? Are people ever truly satisfied, or does the constant "selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food", otherwise known as greed drive people(Oxford 1)? Why are some wealthy people unhappy, when they have so much? In The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Gatsby's deceptive personality, bamboozling Nick, and fabricating the truth, to explain how greed leads to a deterioration of life. Gatsby's shady history was deceiving, and effectively portrays how greed can ruin a life. The many rumors circulating about Gatsby such as "he was a German spy during the war" illustrate that no one really knew who Gatsby was(Fitzgerald 48). Through his deceptive ways he never rebuffed nor verified the claims, which led to more curiosity. Gatsby did this so that his name would radiate through town and Daisy would hear his name. Gatsby used this deception to fuel his greed for Daisy. His reputation suffered, but he was willing to sacrifice his own reputation just to impress Daisy, no matter the cost. This deception represents greed of the 1920's. Gatsby is a figure of greed, because even when he had all the wealth in the world, he was never truly satisfied. Fitzgerald wanted people to realize that greed is rampant in society, and he wanted people to be happy with what...
Words: 1394 - Pages: 6
...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
