Book Review : The Great Gatsby

The 1920s in America, known as the "Roaring Twenties", was a time of celebration after a destructive war. It was a period of time in America characterised by prosperity and optimism. There was a general feeling of disruption associated with modernity and a break with traditions.The Roaring Twenties was a time of great economic prosperity and many people became rich and wealthy. Some people inherited "old money" and some obtained "new money". However, there was the other side of prosperity and many people also suffered the nightmare of being poor. In the novel,The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a wealthy character

The Great Gatsby, has been an iconic American classic for decades. This read is one of the most descriptive and foreshadowing novels in history, making it one America’s favorites. From the various symbols used to the in-depth text, much can be concluded about the author and his unique writing skills.

Dreams are a compelling force in people’s lives. They are what propel them forward each and every day in an effort to reach something better. The American Dream has been sought after by millions all over the world for hundreds of years. This country was founded on the belief that anyone could achieve their dreams. However, in the 1920s these hopes and aspirations began to splinter until they ultimately shattered. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism, setting, and theme to depict the unattainability of the American Dream.

In The Great Gatsby, the author, F Scott Fitzgerald depicts the post - war roaring 20’s, a time of overwhelming prosperity and a new found sense of hope for the future. While this novel is often perceived as a romance, it is also a criticism on the devastating nature of the elusive american dream. The story of Jay Gatsby is a representation of what had become the values of the individual at the time. With the progression of the early 1920’s the vision of the perfect life, or the american dream, had been skewed. It was replaced with greed, and an abundance of reckless spending in which the wealthier individuals placed their misguided ideas of happiness. In the Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald chooses to expose the hidden truth behind the illustrious concept of the American dream. Through his use of literary devices such as, symbolism, metaphor, and, irony the central idea of the truly unattainable American dream is supported throughout the novel.

Gatsby represents that people can become successful if they work hard for it. For others they don’t work necessarily as hard when they're on the start line, as to those who aren’t even near the starting line that work twice as hard. Most that are born onto the starting line have more privileges than those who weren’t born to start on the line but far from it. Sometimes hard work isn't enough to achieve your dreams.

The Great Gatsby was written during the 1920s, which is also known as the Roaring Twenties. In the narrative F. Scott Fitzgerald gave a critical view of this time. In the 1920s and the 1930s there was a lot going on, for example bootlegging, drinking, criminal activity, and an evolution of jazz music. The women were also going through an evolution, in 1920 they got the right to vote and since then they changed a lot and they became known as Flappers. Women not only wanted to take care of their families but also wanted to have a career. “The independent New Woman, who rejected marriage for career and political action who often rooted her emotional life […] was gradually discredited. In her place came the flapper, who celebrated her sexual independence

Gatsby’s aspirations reflect the time period. The “Roaring Twenties”, as it is called, was a period of prosperity, and the Americans were obsessed with acquiring wealth, and thought that “those who have wealth should be splendid, happy people”

Of all the theme present in Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the theme of trying to attain one’s inner desires is the most apparent. For the duration of the novel, Fitzgerald demonstrating the disappointment that someone experiences from over expectations, with society only helps further amplify these desires. Throughout Fitzgerald’s usage of the forces of nostalgia, materialism, and idealism in characters he demonstrates the destructive nature of these ideas on an individual.

The Great Gatsby can be interpreted as an advice or warning to Fitzgerald’s generation and also upcoming generations. Beware of chasing that “orgiastic future” with too much passion, where it can destroy you, just as it did

. . . And then one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” In this closing passage, Nick Carraway tells the readers that Gatsby’s dreams of a better future were too optimistic and unrealistic. The more Gatsby tried to reach for his future, the more his shadowy past he tried running away from repeated itself. In this closing paragraph, the author had used metaphors to compare the green light to a future he wanted so bad.

Phil Moon Wilder Honors American Lit. 2/29/16 The Great Gatsby The novel, The Great Gatsby, is written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Born on September 24, 1896, most of his novels are said to relate to his own life during his childhood years. The Great Gatsby is just one of those novels that can relate to his life by the way the main character lives in the book.

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 farther... And then one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

The Great Gatsby is a tragic romantic novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 which deals with the lives of four rich people from the perspective of Nick Carraway. The book places emphasis on the love triangle between Jay Gatsby, Tom Buchanan, and Daisy Buchanan. Jay Gatsby, a die-hard romanticist, continues to chase his young love, Daisy Buchanan, even after being separated because of the Great War. This extensive journey to reconnect with Daisy ultimately causes Gatsby to destroy himself to save his one true love.

Nick says that Gatsby believed in the green light. He said that it was “the orgiastic future that year by year recedes us.” The green light symbolizes money and success.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is by far one of the most interesting yet congested books I have ever read. I feel as if the story is shifting as soon as I was able to tell what was happening. One idea that was constant was the themes, symbols and motifs used throughout. Love and the seduction of money, to me, were the most influential themes that I noticed in the book.