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The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay

Decent Essays

Daren Knauff

Mrs. Woodruff

Honors English 11

12/16/16

Motif: A recurring or dominant subject in an artistic or literary composition

Example: "And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy." (The Great Gatsby)

Function: Parties serve as a motif in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby throws huge, flashy parties in an attempt to get Daisy 's attention. However even with the grand scale of his parties, none of his guests seem to know who Gatsby is, some even coming up with ludicrous stories to explain his mystery. Most of these guests are simply there to enjoy the glamour which they believe to be the American Dream. Though when examined closely, corruption is easy to spot. During Nick’s first attendance at Gatsby’s party, he makes this observation. “I looked around. Most of the remaining women were now having fights with men said to be their husbands. … One of the men was talking with curious intensity to a young actress, and his wife, after attempting to laugh at the situation in a dignified and indifferent way, broke down entirely and resorted to flank attacks – at intervals she appeared suddenly at his side like and angry diamond, and hissed: ‘You promised!’ into his ear.” The husbands are bored and unsatisfied with their marriages while the wives are upset are their husbands’ disregard for them. Furthermore, the guests at his parties only show up as a way to prove their social status and to enjoy what they perceive as the American Dream.

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