Keyword Guide · study-guide
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 masterpiece captures the glamour and disillusionment of the Jazz Age. This guide provides a clear roadmap to help high school and college students navigate the novel's complex themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream.
Set in the summer of 1922 on Long Island, New York, the story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to West Egg. He becomes entangled in the life of his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who hosts lavish parties in hopes of reuniting with Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan. The contrast between West Egg (new money) and East Egg (old money) serves as the backdrop for a story about obsession, social class, and the moral decay hidden beneath 1920s prosperity.
Jay Gatsby represents the ultimate dreamer, whose entire existence is a performance designed to win back the past. Nick Carraway serves as both an involved character and an objective observer, providing a critical lens on the events. Daisy Buchanan embodies the fragility and carelessness of the wealthy elite, while her husband Tom represents the brutal arrogance of established social status. Understanding these character dynamics is essential for analyzing the novel's tragic conclusion.
The novel is rich with symbolism that students should track for essays. The Green Light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and the unattainable future. The Valley of Ashes represents the social and moral decay resulting from uninhibited pursuit of wealth. Finally, the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg act as a haunting reminder of a judgmental gaze over a godless society. Themes to focus on include the corruption of the American Dream and the permanence of social class.
When preparing for a Gatsby assignment, focus on the reliability of Nick as a narrator. Ask yourself how his personal biases affect the reader's view of Gatsby. For essays, compare the lifestyles of the 'nouveau riche' in West Egg to the 'aristocracy' of East Egg. Use specific examples of the characters' reckless behavior to support arguments about moral vacuum. Organizing your notes by symbol—such as the weather or colors—can also help you identify structural patterns Fitzgerald used to foreshadow the ending.
The title is ironic; while Gatsby is 'great' in terms of his grand vision and hospitality, his greatness is built on a facade and illegal activities, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Gatsby believes that his wealth and status can erase the years he spent apart from Daisy, reflecting his refusal to accept that time and social class have changed their reality.
The ending suggests that the American Dream is often an illusion, as the characters are unable to escape their pasts or the rigid social structures that define their lives.
Continue in App
Struggling to analyze Fitzgerald's prose or looking for help with your next essay? Readi.AI offers personalized study tools and chapter breakdowns to help you excel in your literature courses. Download Readi.AI on the App Store today (id6758831794) and take the stress out of your study sessions.
