A Literary Review of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Introduction:

The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. It is a story of the American Dream and the disillusionment that comes with it. The novel explores the decadent society of the Roaring Twenties and the characters who live in it. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of American literature.

Plot Summary:

The novel follows the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and enigmatic young man who throws extravagant parties at his mansion in Long Island. The narrator, Nick Carraway, moves into a small cottage near Gatsby’s mansion and becomes intrigued by the mysterious figure.

Through Nick’s eyes, the reader is introduced to a cast of characters that includes Tom and Daisy Buchanan, the wealthy couple who live across the bay from Gatsby, and Jordan Baker, a friend of Daisy’s who becomes romantically involved with Nick.

Gatsby, who is in love with Daisy, rekindles their relationship and tries to win her back from Tom. However, their relationship is ultimately doomed by the corruption and emptiness of the society in which they live.

Themes:

The Great Gatsby explores many themes, including:

The American Dream: The novel critiques the idea that wealth and social status are the keys to success and happiness, and exposes the corruption and moral decay that can result from pursuing the American Dream.

Love and Desire: The novel explores the complexities of romantic relationships and the destructive power of obsession and desire.

Social Class: The novel highlights the vast gulf between the rich and poor in American society and the way in which social class determines people’s life opportunities.

Illusion vs. Reality: The novel explores the idea that the glittering surface of society masks a deeper reality of corruption and moral decay.

Style and Techniques:

Fitzgerald’s writing style in The Great Gatsby is characterized by its lyrical and poetic quality, as well as its use of symbolism and metaphor. The novel is also notable for its intricate structure, which involves a series of flashbacks and multiple narrators.

One of the most striking techniques used in the novel is the use of the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock as a symbol of Gatsby’s hopes and dreams. Another prominent symbol is the valley of ashes, which represents the moral decay and spiritual emptiness of the society in which the characters live.

Conclusion:

The Great Gatsby is a timeless masterpiece of American literature that continues to captivate readers with its exploration of the dark side of the American Dream. Through its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and masterful use of symbolism and metaphor, the novel paints a haunting portrait of a society that is both glittering and corrupt. The novel’s themes and techniques continue to be studied and admired by scholars and readers alike, cementing its place as one of the greatest works of American literature.