The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1925. The novel is set in the roaring twenties, a period of great economic growth and cultural change in America. The story follows the life of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious and wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
The novel is widely regarded as a classic of American literature, and has been the subject of much critical analysis and interpretation. One common interpretation of the novel is that it is an allegory for the American Dream, and the disillusionment that comes with its pursuit. Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy can be seen as a metaphor for the pursuit of the American Dream, and the ultimate failure of that pursuit.
Overview of ‘The Great Gatsby’
‘The Great Gatsby’ is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925. The novel is set in the 1920s and focuses on the life of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who is in love with Daisy Buchanan, a woman who is already married. The novel is an allegory of the American Dream and the corruption that comes with it.
The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to New York to work as a bond salesman. Nick becomes friends with Gatsby and is drawn into his world of wealth and excess. As the story unfolds, Nick learns about Gatsby’s past and his obsession with Daisy.
The novel explores themes of love, wealth, power, and corruption. It is a commentary on the excesses of the wealthy and the disillusionment of the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism and allegory make the novel a powerful and thought-provoking read.
Allegorical Elements in the Novel
The Green Light
The green light that Gatsby sees across the bay represents his longing for Daisy and his desire to be with her. It is a symbol of hope and aspiration. This green light is a recurring image throughout the novel, and it serves to remind the reader of Gatsby’s ultimate goal. The green light represents the American Dream, which is unattainable for Gatsby.
The Valley of Ashes
The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of the moral decay that is prevalent throughout the novel. It is a desolate and barren wasteland that represents the corruption and decay of society. The Valley of Ashes is a place where the poor and the working-class live, and it is a stark contrast to the opulence and extravagance of the wealthy.
The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg
The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a symbol of the loss of spiritual values in America. They are a reminder of the moral decay that is prevalent throughout the novel. The eyes are also a representation of God’s watchful eye, which is always present but never intervenes. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a haunting image that serves to remind the reader of the spiritual emptiness that is present in society.
Characters as Allegorical Figures
Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of the novel and represents the American Dream. He is a self-made man who rose from poverty to wealth and success. Gatsby embodies the idea that anyone can achieve their dreams through hard work and determination. However, his pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to his downfall.
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s love interest, represents the corruption and emptiness of the wealthy elite. She is shallow, materialistic, and lacks any real depth or substance. Daisy’s character symbolizes the moral decay of the upper class during the 1920s.
Tom Buchanan
Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, represents the arrogance and entitlement of the old money aristocracy. He is a racist and a misogynist who believes that his wealth and social status give him the right to do whatever he wants. Tom’s character embodies the corruption and decay of the old order.
Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway, the narrator of the novel, represents the middle class. He is an outsider looking in on the lives of the wealthy elite. Nick’s character symbolizes the moral compass of society, as he is the only character who recognizes the corruption and emptiness of the wealthy elite.
Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker, a professional golfer and friend of Daisy’s, represents the amorality and dishonesty of the upper class. She is a liar and a cheat who is willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. Jordan’s character embodies the moral decay of the wealthy elite.
Themes and Symbols
The American Dream
The American Dream is a central theme in The Great Gatsby. The novel portrays the American Dream as a flawed concept based on the pursuit of wealth and social status. The characters in the novel are obsessed with the idea of achieving the American Dream, but they fail to realize that it is an illusion. Gatsby, for example, believes that he can win Daisy’s love by acquiring wealth and status, but he ultimately fails. The novel suggests that the American Dream is a false promise that leads to disillusionment and despair.
Social Stratification
Another important theme in The Great Gatsby is social stratification. The novel portrays the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor in 1920s America. The characters in the novel are divided into two distinct groups: the “old money” of the East Egg and the “new money” of the West Egg. The novel suggests that social stratification is a destructive force that leads to isolation and loneliness. Gatsby, for example, is an outsider in both the East Egg and the West Egg, and he is ultimately rejected by both groups.
The East and West Egg
The East Egg and the West Egg are important symbols in The Great Gatsby. The East Egg represents the old money of the established aristocracy, while the West Egg represents the new money of the up-and-coming middle class. The novel suggests that the East Egg is a symbol of tradition and stability, while the West Egg is a symbol of change and instability. The characters in the novel are divided by these two symbols, and they are unable to bridge the gap between them. The novel suggests that the division between the East Egg and the West Egg is a reflection of the larger division between the wealthy and the poor in 1920s America.
Historical Context of Allegory
The Great Gatsby is set in the 1920s, a time of great change in America. The country was recovering from World War I, and the economy was booming. The Roaring Twenties, as the decade was known, was a time of great prosperity, but it was also a time of great social upheaval. The divide between the rich and the poor was growing, and many people were questioning the values of the society in which they lived.
F. Scott Fitzgerald used the historical context of the 1920s to create an allegory in The Great Gatsby. The novel is not just a story about a man who is trying to win back the love of his life; it is also a commentary on the society in which he lives. The characters in the novel represent different aspects of American society, and their actions and beliefs reflect the values of the time.
For example, the character of Jay Gatsby represents the American Dream. He is a self-made man who has worked hard to achieve his wealth and success. However, his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth, represents the corruption of the American Dream. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy is not just a romantic pursuit; it is a symbol of the corrupt values of the society in which he lives.
Similarly, the character of Tom Buchanan represents the old money aristocracy. He comes from a wealthy family and has never had to work for his money. His belief in his own superiority over others reflects the values of the time, when the rich believed that they were inherently better than the poor.
Fitzgerald’s Commentary on the American Society
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, is a critical commentary on the American society of the 1920s. Through the characters and their actions, Fitzgerald exposes the corruption, greed, and moral decay that characterized the society of the time.
The novel’s protagonist, Jay Gatsby, is a self-made millionaire who has amassed his wealth through illegal means. His lavish parties and extravagant lifestyle are a reflection of the excess and superficiality that defined the era. The other characters in the novel, such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan, are also portrayed as shallow and morally bankrupt individuals who are more concerned with their own pleasure and status than with anything else.
The Role of Illusion and Reality
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that explores the themes of illusion and reality. The characters in the novel are often caught up in their own illusions, and struggle to distinguish between what is real and what is not.
One of the main illusions in the novel is the American Dream. The characters believe that if they work hard enough, they can achieve anything they want. However, this dream is often just an illusion, as the characters are unable to achieve their goals. This is particularly evident in the character of Jay Gatsby, who is unable to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, despite his wealth and social status.
Another illusion in the novel is the idea of social status. The characters believe that their social status is important, and that it defines who they are. However, this is just an illusion, as social status does not necessarily bring happiness or fulfillment. This is evident in the character of Tom Buchanan, who is wealthy and powerful, but is unhappy and unfulfilled in his life.
The theme of illusion and reality is also reflected in the setting of the novel. The characters live in a world of excess and extravagance, which is an illusion of happiness and fulfillment. However, this world is ultimately empty and meaningless, as the characters are unable to find true happiness and fulfillment.
Moral Decay and Materialism
The Great Gatsby is a novel that explores the themes of moral decay and materialism in the Jazz Age. The characters in the novel are consumed by their desire for wealth and status, leading them to engage in immoral behavior.
The character of Jay Gatsby is a prime example of the moral decay and materialism that is prevalent in the novel. He is a self-made man who has amassed a great fortune through illegal means, including bootlegging and gambling. Gatsby’s obsession with wealth and status is so great that he is willing to do whatever it takes to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
The other characters in the novel are also consumed by their desire for wealth and status. Tom and Daisy Buchanan are wealthy socialites who live a life of luxury, but their wealth has not brought them happiness. Their marriage is strained by Tom’s infidelity, and Daisy is unhappy despite her wealth and status.
The novel also explores the theme of the corrupting influence of wealth and materialism. The characters in the novel are so consumed by their desire for wealth and status that they are willing to engage in immoral behavior to achieve their goals. This leads to the moral decay of the characters and the society in which they live.
The Impact of the Past on the Present
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that explores the impact of the past on the present. The characters in the novel are haunted by their pasts and struggle to escape them, yet their pasts continue to control their present lives.
Jay Gatsby, the protagonist of the novel, is a self-made millionaire who is in love with Daisy Buchanan, a woman he met and fell in love with before he went to war. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy is fueled by his desire to relive the past and recapture the love they once shared. He believes that his wealth can help him recreate the past and win Daisy back.
However, Gatsby’s attempt to recreate the past is futile. Daisy has moved on and is now married to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby’s inability to let go of the past and accept the present leads to his downfall.
Similarly, Tom and Daisy Buchanan are also haunted by their pasts. They come from wealthy families and have lived privileged lives. However, their pasts are tainted by infidelity and dishonesty. Tom has had affairs with other women, and Daisy has been unfaithful to him as well.