Continuing with our exploration of “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and after having delved into an extended summary of the novel, examined its intricate characters, and pondered some thought-provoking book club questions, this post aims to deepen our understanding of the thematic undercurrents that make this work a cornerstone of American literature.
Before we embark on this thematic exploration, let me refresh your mind with a short summary of the novel: At the heart of “The Great Gatsby” is the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a man of immense wealth who is driven by his love for the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, a time of prosperity, jazz music, and loosening morals, the story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who finds himself fascinated by Gatsby’s lavish lifestyle and tragic pursuit of the American Dream. As we peel back the layers of Gatsby’s glittering world, we uncover a tale of love, ambition, and disillusionment.
Now, let’s move to the discussion of the themes that are not only central to understanding the novel’s complex characters and their motivations but also offer insight into the societal issues and moral questions of Fitzgerald’s time that still resonate today.
Related: The Great Gatsby Summary, Characters, and Book Club Questions
The Great Gatsby Themes
Here are some of the main themes in “The Great Gatsby”:
- The American Dream: Central to the novel, the American Dream theme explores the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success through hard work and determination. However, Fitzgerald presents a critique of this dream through the character of Jay Gatsby, who achieves wealth and status, not through honest labor, but through questionable means. Gatsby’s pursuit of the dream is also tied to his desire for Daisy Buchanan, suggesting that the American Dream is not just about economic success but also about attaining a certain status and lifestyle. Ultimately, the novel questions the attainability and the cost of the American Dream.
- Love: Love drives the narrative of “The Great Gatsby,” particularly through Gatsby’s infatuation with Daisy. The novel explores different facets of love, including unrequited love, the love between spouses, and romanticized love. Fitzgerald examines how love can be both a motivating force and a source of illusion and despair. Gatsby’s love for Daisy is depicted as obsessive and idealized, showing how love can be intertwined with ambition and the desire for a certain lifestyle.
- Wealth: Wealth is a dominant theme in the novel, depicted as both a symbol of success and a source of corruption. Fitzgerald contrasts the new wealth of characters like Gatsby with the old money of the Buchanans, exploring the nuances of social status and how wealth impacts human relationships. The lavish parties at Gatsby’s mansion represent the excesses of the wealthy, but they also highlight the emptiness and superficiality that often accompany such wealth.
- Society and Class: “The Great Gatsby” is deeply concerned with the divisions and distinctions within American society, particularly the differences between the newly rich and the established aristocracy. Through characters and settings, Fitzgerald critiques the social attitudes and behaviors of the 1920s, exploring how class affects individuals’ values, relationships, and opportunities. The novel also examines the American class system’s rigidity and the barriers to social mobility.
- Lies and Deceit: Throughout the novel, characters engage in deception to achieve their ends or maintain their social standing. Gatsby constructs a new identity to escape his past and win Daisy, while Tom Buchanan lies about his affair. The theme of lies and deceit is crucial in understanding the characters’ motivations and the lengths they will go to preserve their illusions of success, love, and happiness. This theme underscores the idea that the American Dream and the values it promotes can lead to moral decay.
- Mortality: The theme of mortality is woven throughout the novel, reminding readers of the inevitable end that comes for all, regardless of wealth or social status. The tragic deaths of several characters serve as a stark contrast to the seemingly carefree and eternal youth and beauty that many characters in the novel chase after. Mortality in “The Great Gatsby” is a powerful reminder of the ultimate futility of the characters’ pursuits and the transient nature of life itself.
- Memory: Memory plays a crucial role in “The Great Gatsby,” particularly in the form of Gatsby’s idealized recollections of his past with Daisy. His relentless pursuit to recapture and relive a golden, bygone era underlines the theme of memory’s power and its distortion over time. This theme also touches on the broader idea of the American Dream and how nostalgia for a simpler, more prosperous time can drive individuals to extreme measures.
- Society and Class: This theme delves into the social stratification of the 1920s, highlighting the stark differences between the haves and have-nots, as well as the old money versus new money dichotomy. Fitzgerald uses the settings of East Egg, West Egg, and the Valley of Ashes to symbolize various social classes and their moral and ethical landscapes, critiquing the superficial values upheld by society and the illusion of equality in the American Dream.
- Gender: Gender roles within “The Great Gatsby” reflect the post-World War I societal norms and the beginnings of change in those roles. The characters of Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle each represent different aspects of womanhood and the constraints placed upon women by society. Fitzgerald also explores the power dynamics between genders, revealing the limitations and expectations placed on both men and women during the Jazz Age.
- Materialism: Materialism is a dominant theme that defines the characters’ lives and their motivations in “The Great Gatsby.” The pursuit of wealth and material success is shown to corrupt and destroy lives, illustrating the hollowness of the American Dream. Gatsby’s lavish parties, Tom and Daisy’s luxurious lifestyle, and the overall emphasis on appearances over substance in the social circles of East Egg and West Egg showcase the destructive nature of materialism.
Final thoughts
I hope this exploration into the themes of “The Great Gatsby” has enriched your understanding of Fitzgerald’s masterpiece and the era it encapsulates. Through our journey from a detailed summary to an analysis of its characters, and finally to a deep dive into its thematic core, we’ve uncovered the layers that make this novel a timeless reflection on human nature, society, and the elusive American Dream. Whether it’s the pursuit of love and wealth, the stark realities of society and class, or the undercurrents of lies and deceit, each theme offers a window into the complexities of the 1920s and the timeless aspects of the human experience.