The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Gatsby, while raised poor, dreamed of wealth as he grew up. When talking to Nick at the funeral, Gatsby’s father, explained to him that though he was poor, he always knew he had the potential of being something great. He said, “Jimmy always liked it better down east...He had a big future before him...he had a lot of brain power”(Fitzgerald, 168). There is no doubt that Gatsby was dedicated. He was seldom able to let go of a goal he set out to reach. Moreover, as

“Oh no,” [Gatsby] exclaimed, “this isn’t the man” (Fitzgerald 71). During this conversation Nick became suspicious that Gatsby was doing some shady, illegal work in order to gain his money. This was selfish of Gatsby because he was was breaking the law to gain a profit, he could care less how it would affect him or others. Later on in the story Gatsby reveals that his business is immoral, “Well this would interest you… it happens to be a rather confidential sort of thing” (Fitzgerald 83). When Gatsby offers this deal to Nick it shows that he doesn't care how it will affect Nick in the future, as long as he gets his

The Roaring Twenties era was a time of not only of crime, changing action and roles of women, but also of many other different social and cultural trends. The 1920s was the Progressive era that was a response to the Gilded Age. The Progressive era was filled with many reformers that aimed to reform the social issues like the women’s movement who had started a temperance movement to prohibit people from drinking. The 1920s was also a time of a social gap where the wealthy got more rich and the poor increased and stayed beyond the poverty line. In the Great Gatsby, the Valley of Ashes, automobiles, crime, and homes symbolize the social classes, and other cultural and social trends of the 1920s.

The Great Gatsby entails of a story of a bright young man, Nick Carraway, who moved to New York City in search of a successful life in the bonds business, but becomes suffocated by the lifestyles of those in wealth and power at the time. As Nick settles himself in a new job and new city, in the only cottage among mansions on West and East Egg, he finds himself neighbor to a mysterious, wealthy man known for his extravagant parties and elusive persona. This neighbor, Jay Gatsby, emerges to be one of the main characters of the novel and the only person in all of New York that Nick can call a friend. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, encompasses the hollowness of the upper class as well as the deterioration of the “American Dream” within the plotline of the lives of Nick, Gatsby, and the Buchanan’s. Because of the themes Fitzgerald created, it prompts people, such as Bruccoli, to make the claim “The Great Gatsby does not proclaim the nobility of the human spirit; it is not politically correct; it does not reveal how to solve the problems of life; it delivers no fashionable or comforting messages. It is just a masterpiece.” While the Great Gatsby is a masterpiece, Bruccoli correctly examines the text in revealing no nobility of the human spirit, no solutions to the problems of life, and it is politically incorrect. However, despite the dismal themes, Fitzgerald does deliver fashionable/comforting messages to the audience. Bruccoli’s claim brings to light the

Gatsby came from a very poor background with lack of education. As he started to build his own dreams forgetting about what happened in the past and he tried to build his own dream from scratch. Which after in the novel showed he became very successful man. He showed a true example of living the life of the American dream that by hard work, motivation and with no support we can live a lavish life like an American man. Gatsby was a self made man with no background. As one of the article about Gatsby life better illustrate that “The American dream consisted of the belief (sometimes thought of as a promise) that people of talent in this land of opportunity and plenty could reasonably aspire to material success” ( Trask, David F, WG). The novel illustrates the life of the people in early 1920’s as a life easy money selling alcohol and

In return, Gatsby devoted his life to getting what he needed to win Daisy. Before he joined the service, Daisy was his unattainable object that he lusted for, and through her he sought to make all of this dreams come true. After the war, Gatsby became a bootlegger. It isn't clear how he made all of his money, but it is obvious that it was through illegal dealings in organized crime. The idealism evident in Gatsby's constant aspirations helps define what Fitzgerald saw as the basis for the American character. Gatsby is a firm believer in the American Dream of self-made success. (Trask) He has, after all, created and self-promoted a whole new persona for himself and has succeeded both financially and socially. Through Nick Carraway, we see someone who holds himself in higher esteem than the other characters in the novel. Nick, could be considered different from all the other characters because he is not "rolling in dough" like the rest of them. He left the Midwest to be a stockbroker in New York but didn't get rich, yet everywhere he looks these amoral people are rolling in their wealth. All he sees are people who are immoral having the luxury of living the high life. Throughout the novel, Nick finds himself surrounded by lavish mansions, fancy cars, and an endless supply of material possessions. Nick exclaims his disdains he says,

The American Dream is a philosophy based off of starting from nothing and achieving family, fortune, and fame. The belief that self-determination and hard work will lead to the attainment of the American Dream is strongly tied with the American culture. This philosophical idea, however, is not portrayed in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which is often referred to as one of the “Great American Novels” to date. In terms, a “Great American Novel” should portray an honest and well-remembered character, rather than a character such as Jay Gatsby who achieved his fortune through illegal business and dies without recognition towards the end. Although Gatsby lives a lavish lifestyle that many people fantasize about, Gatsby’s American Dream is never fully fulfilled due to his failure of not having a family, successfully obtaining money the righteous way, and leaving a legacy; therefore, the novel The Great Gatsby, should not be entitled as the “Great American Novel” today.

When they first go out together, it seems Gatsby tries to impress Nick with his past. “I’ll tell you God’s truth...I am the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West...I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford, because all my ancestors have been educated at Oxford” (Fitzgerald 65) As Gatsby boasts of his past filled with elegance and honor, Nick begins to doubt he is telling the truth. This upbringing, traditionally, leads people to a perception of ineffible greatness. Society idolizes those with money and power and tends to build them up to have an image that is not necessarily truthful to who they are. Nick only finds out this truth later when a reporter looking to find out more about Gatsby. “James Gatz - that was really...his name...His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people. So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end” (Fitzgerald 98) Nick learns that everything Gatsby told him about being the son of rich people and living a life of wealth was a lie that Gatsby had concocted to move up in the world. This broken facade understandably makes Nick wary of Gatsby and his intentions, as well as prompts him to question the “greatness” that precedes Gatsby wherever he is

Time is a meaningful concept in Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. In which dreams and memories are very important. Believing in dreams, even when the time for that dream on earth to exist has long since passed. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writings closely mirror his own life for often explore the human struggle between hope and disillusionment. The Great Gatsby is filled with many characters who live hopeless, lonely lives, even though they have all the money one could want. Fitzgerald shows how this dream is full of materialism, how materialism influencing the lives of people makes it hard for them so see the reality objectively. Fitzgerald exposes his own personal character traits to the reader by unconsciously inserting himself into the story, manifesting himself in the Daisy/Gatsby romance, the extravagant lifestyle the protagonists practice, and the flaws that he writes into his characters.

F. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded façade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. This author helped to launch the theme that is so prevalent in his work; the human instinct to yearn for more, into the forefront of American literature, where it would remain a common topic of writing to this day. Far below the partying and drinking front of F. Scott Fitzgerald lay a common man who wrote from the heart, and held nothing back.

This guess is confirmed when Gatsby attempts to repay Nick for inviting Daisy to tea, suggesting that Nick doesn’t make much money, he says; “I carry a little business on the side…It wouldn’t take up much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money. It happens to be a rather confidential sort of thing” (Fitzgerald 82). Gatsby commits acts of evil constantly throughout the book, but this evil was not always there. Gatsby was not born evil, but becomes evil later on in his life.

Jordan Baker informs Nick Carraway that Jay Gatsby is still in love with Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby and Daisy were in a relationship before she was married to Tom Buchanan, which eventually had to end when Gatsby went off to war. Half a decade later, Gatsby has situated himself in West Egg to be close to Daisy. Jordan, acting as a messenger, tells Nick that Gatsby would like him to invite Daisy over for tea, where Gatsby would then surprise and join them. Nick is baffled that Gatsby would go to the trouble of throwing extraneous parties for the past five years, holding onto the sliver of hope that Daisy may one day attend one.

The 1920s, also known as the roaring 20’s was a time of great prosperity and happiness for many middle and upper class people. This was a time also of prohibition, a time which alcohol was banned for it was known to be poisonous to one’s health. Still, industries were booming and people were buying fancy cars and were truly enjoying their lives. The upper and lower classes tried to achieve this myth of the American Dream, something that doesn’t actually exist, but has been invented by people from generations before to keep people’s hopes up for a better life. This myth known as the American Dream could never be achieved as the inequality during that time between gender, class, and race prevented that dream from ever coming true. The

In the book, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby is exemplified through many symbols and idols. Fitzgerald uses cars to represent wealth, success, status, and glamour. As Friedrich Nietzsche states, “There are more idols in the world than there are realities.” Nietzsche’s quote shows how idols and symbols are used to create impressions. Images are powerful and set a stage for others to judge one’s character, enabling human beings to avoid seeing what realities are. Idols are potent enough to mask the truth. In the novel, despite Gatsby 's own insecurities, he is viewed as an idol in society. Idols impact and influence Gatsby’s life and those living around him. Gatsby’s car represents an idol, illustrating his wealth, capturing attention, creating impressions, and covering misconceptions throughout life in the West Egg.

The Great Gatsby-one of the most interesting books that describes American life and society in the 1920s.Novel was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. Story primarily describes the young, mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his passion for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Novel includes themes of idealism, resistance to change, social differences, American dream, Injustice, power, betrayal, Importance of money, careless, callousness. Scott Fitzgerald sets up his novel into separate social groups but, each group has its own problems to fight with, leaving reminder of what an unstable place the world is in reality. By creating different social classes like old money, new money, and no money — author sends strong messages to readers about the elitism running through each piece of society.