Review: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is considered one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century. The book tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores themes of love, wealth, power, and the corruption of the American Dream.
Table of Contents
Plot Summary | SPOILER ALERT |
The Great Gatsby is set in the Roaring Twenties, a time of economic prosperity and social change. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to New York to work in the bond business. Nick becomes friends with his wealthy neighbour, Jay Gatsby, and learns about his obsession with Daisy Buchanan, a woman he had a relationship with before the war.
Gatsby throws lavish parties at his mansion in hopes that Daisy will attend one and they can rekindle their romance. Nick arranges a meeting between the two, and they begin an affair. However, their relationship is complicated by Daisy’s marriage to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and unfaithful man. The novel ends tragically with the death of two characters, revealing the corruption and emptiness of upper-class society.
Characters
The Great Gatsby features a cast of complex, well-developed, and flawed characters:
Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of the novel. He is a self-made millionaire who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is portrayed as a tragic hero, a man who is unable to let go of the past and move on with his life.
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan is the object of Gatsby’s affection. She is a beautiful and wealthy woman who is married to Tom Buchanan. Daisy is portrayed as a shallow and selfish character who is unable to make a decision between the two men in her life.
Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel. He is a young man from the Midwest who moves to New York to work in the bond business. Nick is portrayed as a moral and honest character who is disgusted by the immoral behaviour of upper-class society.
Tom Buchanan
Tom Buchanan is Daisy’s husband. He is a wealthy and arrogant man who is unfaithful to his wife. Tom is portrayed as a symbol of the corruption and decay of upper-class society.
Themes
The Corruption of the American Dream
The Great Gatsby explores the corruption and decay of the American Dream. Gatsby, the embodiment of the American Dream, is unable to find happiness despite his wealth and success. The novel shows that the pursuit of wealth and social status can lead to corruption and moral decay.
Love and Relationships
The novel explores the complexities of love and relationships. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy shows the power of love, but it also highlights the destructive nature of unrequited love. The novel also shows the emptiness of relationships based on social status and wealth.
Wealth and Class
The novel portrays the stark contrast between the rich and the poor. The upper-class society is portrayed as corrupt and immoral, while the working-class characters are portrayed as honest and hardworking. The novel shows that wealth and social status do not guarantee happiness and fulfilment.
Writing Style
Fitzgerald’s writing style in The Great Gatsby is characterized by vivid imagery, poetic language, and lyrical quality. He uses metaphors and similes to describe the setting and characters in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. The novel is also known for its use of symbolism, particularly the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, which represents Gatsby’s longing for her. The novel’s structure is also unique, with the use of flashbacks and the repetition of certain phrases.
RELATED: “Why You Should Read F. Scott Fitzgerald: Best Novels”.
Conclusion
The Great Gatsby is a timeless novel that explores the complexities of love, wealth, and the corruption of the American Dream. Through its complex characters and poetic language, Fitzgerald paints a portrait of the Jazz Age that is both glamorous and tragic. His writing style and use of symbolism make the novel a masterpiece and its enduring popularity is a testament to its relevance and power as a work of American literature.
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