The Great Gatsby: Themes [2023]

Quick Answer: The Great Gatsby explores various themes, including the decline of the American Dream, the hollowness of the upper class, class dynamics, the American Dream itself, and love and marriage. It offers a critical examination of 1920s America and the pursuit of wealth and pleasure. The novel’s themes resonate with readers today, making it a timeless classic.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, explores several themes that are still relevant today. These themes include:

  1. The Decline of the American Dream in the 1920s: The novel examines the disintegration of the American Dream during a time of prosperity and excess. It portrays the 1920s as an era of decayed social and moral values, characterized by cynicism, greed, and the pursuit of pleasure.

  2. The Hollowness of the Upper Class: The newly rich are depicted as vulgar and lacking in social graces, while the old aristocracy is portrayed as heartless, careless, and inconsiderate. The contrast between Gatsby’s sincerity and loyalty and the Buchanans’ fickleness and selfishness highlights the hollowness of the upper class.

  3. Class: Class plays a significant role in the novel, influencing all aspects of life and love. It dictates which marriages survive and which do not, and it creates divisions between the “old money” of East Egg and the “new money” of West Egg.

  4. The American Dream: Every character in the novel is inspired by the promise of the American Dream, which emphasizes wealth and prosperity. However, the novel critiques the notion of the American Dream, suggesting that it is unattainable and unwise.

  5. Love and Marriage: The Great Gatsby explores strained love and marriage, with unions often being more about convenience or advantage than genuine love. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships and the consequences of pursuing love for the wrong reasons.

Quick Tips and Facts

  • The Great Gatsby was published in 1925 and is considered one of the greatest American novels of all time.
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of the 1920s Jazz Age.
  • The novel is set in Long Island, New York, during the summer of 1922.
  • The Great Gatsby has been adapted into several films, including the 2013 Baz Luhrmann-directed version starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby.

Background

Before diving into the themes of The Great Gatsby, it’s essential to understand the historical and cultural context in which the novel is set. The 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, was a time of significant social, cultural, and economic change in America. It was a period of economic prosperity, technological advancements, and cultural transformations.

However, beneath the surface of this apparent prosperity, there were underlying tensions and disillusionment. The excesses of the 1920s, including the pursuit of wealth, materialism, and hedonism, masked deeper social and moral issues. F. Scott Fitzgerald captures this dichotomy in The Great Gatsby, exploring the themes that reflect the complexities of the era.

The Decline of the American Dream in the 1920s

The American Dream is a central theme in The Great Gatsby. It represents the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. However, Fitzgerald portrays the American Dream as a flawed and unattainable ideal.

✅ Key Points:

  • The novel critiques the notion of the American Dream, suggesting that it is corrupted by materialism and the pursuit of wealth.
  • The characters in the novel, including Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan, are all driven by the desire for wealth and social status.
  • The decline of the American Dream is symbolized by the disintegration of moral values and the pursuit of pleasure in 1920s America.

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The Hollowness of the Upper Class

Another prominent theme in The Great Gatsby is the hollowness of the upper class. Fitzgerald contrasts the newly rich, represented by characters like Jay Gatsby, with the old aristocracy, represented by the Buchanans. Both groups are depicted as flawed and lacking in genuine substance.

✅ Key Points:

  • The newly rich are portrayed as vulgar, lacking in social graces, and desperate to fit into the upper class.
  • The old aristocracy is depicted as heartless, careless, and inconsiderate, with their wealth and social status shielding them from the consequences of their actions.
  • Gatsby’s sincere and loyal heart stands in stark contrast to the Buchanans’ superficiality and selfishness.

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Class

Class plays a significant role in The Great Gatsby, influencing the characters’ actions, relationships, and aspirations. The novel explores the divisions between the “old money” of East Egg and the “new money” of West Egg, highlighting the social and economic disparities of the time.

✅ Key Points:

  • Class determines who is accepted into the upper echelons of society and who is excluded.
  • The clash between “old money” and “new money” is symbolized by the geographical divide between East Egg and West Egg.
  • The novel examines how class influences love and marriage, with some relationships being dictated by social status rather than genuine affection.

🔗 Reference Links:

The American Dream

The American Dream is a recurring theme throughout The Great Gatsby. While the characters are inspired by the promise of wealth and prosperity, the novel questions the attainability and wisdom of this dream.

✅ Key Points:

  • The characters in the novel, including Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom, are all driven by the desire for wealth and social status.
  • The novel suggests that the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to moral decay and disillusionment.
  • Fitzgerald critiques the notion that material wealth alone can bring happiness and fulfillment.

🔗 Reference Links:

Love and Marriage

Love and marriage are explored in The Great Gatsby, with the novel portraying strained relationships and unions based on convenience or advantage rather than genuine love.

✅ Key Points:

  • The characters in the novel enter into relationships for various reasons, including social status, financial security, and personal gain.
  • The novel delves into the complexities of love and marriage, highlighting the consequences of pursuing relationships for the wrong reasons.
  • The theme of love and marriage ties into the larger themes of class and the hollowness of the upper class.

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FAQ

club master eyeglasses on pile of three books

What is the main theme of The Great Gatsby?

The main theme of The Great Gatsby is the decline of the American Dream in the 1920s. The novel critiques the notion that wealth and material success alone can bring happiness and fulfillment. It explores the moral decay and disillusionment that can result from the pursuit of the American Dream.

Read more about “The Great Gatsby Movie Summary …”

What is the theme of the moral of The Great Gatsby?

The theme of the moral of The Great Gatsby is that the pursuit of wealth and social status can lead to moral decay and disillusionment. The novel suggests that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in material possessions alone.

Read more about “The Great Gatsby Summary Chapter 1 …”

What are the key themes in The Great Gatsby film?

The key themes in The Great Gatsby film are the decline of the American Dream, the hollowness of the upper class, class dynamics, the American Dream itself, and love and marriage. These themes are explored through the characters and their relationships in the film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel.

Conclusion

The Great Gatsby is a timeless classic that explores themes that are still relevant today. It offers a critical examination of 1920s America, the pursuit of wealth and pleasure, and the complexities of love and marriage. The novel’s themes resonate with readers, provoking thought and reflection.

If you’re interested in exploring more literary themes, book summaries, or author profiles, check out our related articles on Book Summary Review™:

For a comprehensive analysis of The Great Gatsby, we recommend reading the book itself. You can find it on:

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