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Romanticism In The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby is a rather curious book, at least in comparison to the literature that emerged before it. Previously, what is defined as ‘American Romanticism’ dominated the American philosophy—the idea that diligence and ambition could lead anyone to success. Perhaps it stands to reason that two very bitter wars eventually mirrored themselves onto its people. America was a country founded on hope—themes such as new beginnings and the idea of escape from typical British life were common in the aforementioned American Romanticism, alongside a general love of all things natural. Thus it could be interpreted as perfectly reasonable that as modern society expanded – with new inventions such as railroads, massive buildings, and sources of power other than animal—so, too, did the nature-loving philosophy of America change.
While dark themes were doubtless present in the time of American Romanticism, they were greatly overshadowed by themes of positivity. Life was harder in the times of the original colonization of America, but alongside hardship came occupation. One scarce has the time to develop abstract ideas when one works all day simply for a bite to eat. With technology creating more efficient ways for people to do things, there came a rise of free time. That, alongside the Civil War and the first of the World Wars is a sound foundation for themes seen in The Great Gatsby, and indeed the society that this book reached.
In The Great Gatsby, there are many characters that,

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