The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a cornerstone of American literature and a defining novel of the twentieth century. Set during the Jazz Age, the book offers a compelling portrayal of wealth, social stratification, and moral decline in post-World War I America. Through the reflective voice of Nick Carraway, F. Scott Fitzgerald presents a portrait of a society intoxicated by wealth, status, and spectacle, yet profoundly lacking in moral substance.
At the heart of the novel is Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire whose extravagant lifestyle masks a singular devotion to Daisy Buchanan, a woman who represents both personal longing and the broader illusion of success. Gatsby's belief that the past can be recovered drives the narrative forward, exposing the tension between aspiration and reality. Surrounding characters-Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and others-embody privilege, carelessness, and moral indifference, reinforcing the novel's critique of social inequality.
Fitzgerald's elegant prose, symbolic imagery (the green light, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg), and precise social observation elevate the novel beyond a simple love story. The Great Gatsby interrogates themes of class division, identity construction, corruption, and the emptiness beneath material prosperity.
Frequently taught in secondary and higher education, the novel offers rich opportunities for literary analysis, historical study, and ethical reflection. Its enduring relevance lies in its exploration of universal human desires-hope, belonging, and meaning-and the consequences of pursuing them without moral grounding.
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