Keyword Guide · analysis
This analysis of The Great Gatsby breaks down the novel’s main ideas in a clear, practical way. It is designed for high school and college students preparing for quizzes, discussions, and essays.
The novel explores the idea of the American Dream and questions whether it is truly attainable. Wealth and success are shown as powerful but often hollow goals. Another key theme is the conflict between illusion and reality, as characters construct idealized versions of themselves and their lives. The story also highlights social class divisions and how they shape opportunity and behavior.
Jay Gatsby represents hope, ambition, and self-creation, but his dreams are rooted in the past. Nick Carraway acts as both participant and observer, offering a moral lens on the events. Daisy Buchanan symbolizes desire and privilege, while Tom Buchanan represents inherited power and resistance to change. Each character helps reveal the novel’s critique of wealth and identity.
Objects and settings in the novel carry larger meanings. The green light reflects longing and future hope. The contrast between lavish spaces and desolate areas underscores economic inequality. Recurring images of parties, cars, and eyes suggest excess, carelessness, and constant observation. When analyzing symbols, connect them directly to themes and character choices.
Set in the 1920s, the novel reflects a period of economic growth, social change, and moral uncertainty in the United States. Prohibition-era wealth and shifting values influence the characters’ actions. Understanding this context helps explain the emphasis on status, reputation, and the pursuit of pleasure.
The novel suggests that chasing an idealized dream, especially through wealth alone, can lead to disappointment and moral loss.
Nick serves as a narrator who observes events closely while reflecting on their moral implications, shaping how readers interpret the characters.
Focus on one main theme or symbol, use specific plot moments as evidence, and explain how they support the author’s larger message.
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