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Summary The Great Gatsby Key Themes
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A complete summary of all the key themes in the Great Gatsby. A* grade, perfect for revision and developing a more sophisticated understanding of the novel.
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The Great Gatsby: Key Theme - The American DreamHope
The definition of the American dream is: in this land of opportunities anything is possible
and anyone can be a success, no matter their background. When Nick refers to Gatsby’s
“Extraordinary gift for hope,” the reader is encouraged to view Gatsby as an embodiment of
the American dream.
Self-improvement
This is the more practical side of the
American dream. It suggests that if
You work hard and live an honest,
respectable life, you’ll improve your
position in the world. This philosophy
is reflected in young James Gatzs’
daily schedule, which focuses on bettering himself. However, the novel shows that hard
work and honesty are not always conducive to Achieving the American dream. For example
we see criminals and immoral people living in luxury (Meyer Wolfshiem and Tom Buchanan)
While hard-working, honest people live in poverty (the Wilsons).
‘Get rich quick’
This is yet another aspect of the American dream. The ability to quickly accumulate wealth
and show it off to the highest possible degree. Gatsby made enough in just three years to
buy his West Egg mansion. However this was not through hard honest work, but criminal
activity. This shows how Gatsby has lost the wholesome, honest aspect of the American
dream in his insatiable quest to recapture the past. Also, its shows how the superficiality of
wealth may overshadow things that matter more.
Betrayal of the American dream
East Egg is home to the palace - like homes of those who have not had to work for their
wealth, such as the Buchanans. Yet, there are people like Wilson, who work tirelessly but
have noting to show for it, he remains poor, living in the barren Valley of Ashes. The vast
gap between the privileged classes and the disadvantaged betrays the American ideal of
opportunity for all. The only opportunity Wilson gets in the novel is from Tom when he taunts
him with the sale of his car.
Key Quote:
New Beginnings
“He had a big future before him”
The endless possibility of a fresh start is an
important aspect of the American dream. The most Here, Gatsby’s father suggests
significant example of this is Gatsby’s complete re- his son’s unfulfilled potential.
invention of himself, going from James Gatz to Jay The American dream looks to
Gatsby. However, his past shaped him, so no matter the future, but in making Daisy
how much he strives to get away from the man he his main goal, Gatsby
was, he will never achieve true reinvention. Hence condemned himslelf to live in
why he is “borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
the past. This made him a living
contradiction, suspended by his
conflicting actions.
, The Great Gatsby: Key theme: American ideals
American Ideals in the novel
Gatsby’s character embodies the key aspects of American dreams and their realities: the
ability to dream but always wanting more. Be well as telling the story of an individual,
Fitzgerald addresses the fate of American ideals. This is because the novel is written (and
set) in a time when hopes and aspirations were challenged by the materialism and
consumerism of the early 20th century. This perhaps contributes to the novels displays of
abandonment of traditional values.
Equality of opportunity
The Great Gatsby was written 150 years after the Declaration of Independence, which is
based on equality of opportunity. However, Fitzgerald paints a very different picture; one of
a society divided by class. This is shown in the stark contrast between the. Buchanans
and the Wilsons, and in how the latter are used by the former.
America and peace 7
rWealth
By 1920 America had been mostly urbanised. Many
lived in cities. Gatsby has cemented the identity The novel displays how the
of ‘Jay Gatsby’ in this modern era, rejecting the pursuit of wealth drives
Midwestern, agrarian lifestyle. Superficially, characters to criminality. This
America was meant to be a peace-loving nation, is due to the power of wealth,
but Fitzgerald stresses that this is not the case by especially for Gatsby; for him
implementing violence in the novel, and by showing
it is a means to an end
how WW1 effected both Nick and Gatsby.
(recapturing the past). Wealth
Individualism is also displayed as a reward
America has traditionally cherished the notion of or motive to strive for ‘socially
individualism and independence. However, acceptable success.
N
Fitzgerald displays that this isn’t a reality. The novel L
is set in a time when men are sent to war whether
they like it or not, and where alcohol is illegal due to the prohibition. Hence highlighting
that people do not have the freedoms America claims to bestow. Additionally, the novel
presents a society in which the individual can be swept up by the masses (for example the
hoards of people at Gatsby’s parties).
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