Keyword Guide · study-guide
The resolution of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby wraps up the novel’s core conflicts about love, wealth, and the American Dream—while leaving lasting questions for readers. This guide breaks down the resolution’s key events, thematic meaning, and practical study strategies for assignments and class discussions. For on-the-go analysis and essay prep, the Readi.AI iOS app can help you synthesize key points quickly.
The resolution unfolds in the days following the novel’s tragic climax, focusing on the aftermath of the central tragedy. Key moments include the quiet disposal of the protagonist’s estate, the stark contrast between his lavish parties and his lonely funeral, and the narrator’s final reckoning with the characters he’s observed. These events tie up loose ends for the main cast while highlighting the emptiness of their privileged world.
The resolution drives home two critical themes: the futility of the American Dream and the moral decay of 1920s upper-class society. The protagonist’s forgotten funeral underscores how his pursuit of wealth and love was ultimately meaningless to those he admired. The narrator’s final reflection on the region’s history frames the characters’ struggles as a repeated, unfulfilled cycle of longing.
For class discussions, start by listing three ways the resolution mirrors the novel’s opening imagery. For quizzes, memorize the key symbolic details of the funeral and the narrator’s departure. For essays, structure your argument around one core theme: use the resolution’s events as evidence, and connect them to earlier moments (like the protagonist’s first introduction) to show thematic consistency.
If asked to analyze the resolution’s commentary on wealth, focus on the guest list (or lack thereof) at the funeral. For prompts about the narrator’s role, discuss how his final statement redefines the novel’s message beyond the protagonist’s story. For all essays, use specific, non-copyrighted details (like setting or character choices) to support your claims without quoting directly.
The somber tone reinforces the novel’s critique of the 1920s elite: it shows that wealth and status cannot buy genuine connection, and that the pursuit of an idealized past leads only to disappointment.
The resolution argues that the American Dream, as defined by 1920s materialism, is hollow. The protagonist’s lifelong pursuit ends in obscurity, proving that even extreme wealth can’t bridge the gaps between social classes or revive lost love.
Create a 3-point flashcard set: 1) Key events of the aftermath, 2) Two thematic takeaways, 3) The narrator’s final symbolic observation. Review these alongside notes on the novel’s climax to see cause and effect.
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