The novel The Great Gatsby comments on the society of the 1920’s, the time in which it was written. In the novel F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbols, motifs and the characters, to criticize the modern society through his characters and their “attitudes” towards different events. It takes place at the time of the “Jazz Age” the time of America 's great economic success, jazz and of glamour and luxury- the "roaring 20s". A social comment can be made through the themes of the American dream, dreams and reality and change in relationships.
The 1920’s was a time of dramatic social and political change. Where wealth became a status and economic growth changed the American into prosperous wealthy society “consumer society”. Americans had extra money …show more content…
Fitzgerald presents Jay Gatsby as one character who cannot see reality. “"Can 't repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!"(Ch. VI. Pg. 117) He focuses so strongly on trying to get what he had in the past that he cannot face the reality that he cannot have Daisy. Gatsby risks everything on his dreams, but he does not realize that his dreams are worthless. Gatsby tries to convince Nick that Daisy and he will reunite soon enough: “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before.” (Ch. VI. pg. 117). Gatsby’s motives are only to recreate the love Daisy and he had shared years before. Therefore, Gatsby creates a dream for himself which leads to his downfall. The failure of hopes and dreams, the failure of the American Dream itself, is inevitable, not only because reality cannot keep up with ideals, but also because the ideals are too dreamlike to be realised. Nick Carraway is one of the few people in the novel that lives in a reality and not a dream. A prominent example of this is when Nick says: “They’re a rotten crowd. You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” (Ch. VIII. pg. 160). This statement reveals how he understands the major role money plays in corrupting an individual. Unlike West Egg inhabitants, Nick does not let money or materialistic items control his life. In the end, dreams turned into a false reality, the only thing that mattered to them, ended up being the …show more content…
Through the motif of weather we see how the characters emotions change as the weather changes as well. Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion begins during pouring rain, demonstrating the tension and disconsolate meeting and later on their love reawakens just as the sun begins to come out. Once rekindling her relationship with Gatsby, Daisy is experiencing such an extreme change. Daisy is reflecting on her life with Gatsby and is beginning to enjoy her time with him once again, which brings extreme excitement to her life. In fact, Gatsby has brought on change for many of the characters. Nick also experiences a change by Gatsby. He realises that you do not need money or possessions to be happy but rather a true heart and strong relationship. Gatsby’s confrontation with Tom occurs on the hottest day of the summer, under the scorching sun and Tom changes from untruthful and uncaring, to devoted and truthful his wife once again. During these events, Nick describes the weather becoming stronger as the seriousness of the event becomes stronger and the changes in characters take place. Gatsby, like this new era, has brought change in everyone. It shows how with the change in time so much can
The 1920’s was a time of dramatic social and political change. Where wealth became a status and economic growth changed the American into prosperous wealthy society “consumer society”. Americans had extra money …show more content…
Fitzgerald presents Jay Gatsby as one character who cannot see reality. “"Can 't repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!"(Ch. VI. Pg. 117) He focuses so strongly on trying to get what he had in the past that he cannot face the reality that he cannot have Daisy. Gatsby risks everything on his dreams, but he does not realize that his dreams are worthless. Gatsby tries to convince Nick that Daisy and he will reunite soon enough: “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before.” (Ch. VI. pg. 117). Gatsby’s motives are only to recreate the love Daisy and he had shared years before. Therefore, Gatsby creates a dream for himself which leads to his downfall. The failure of hopes and dreams, the failure of the American Dream itself, is inevitable, not only because reality cannot keep up with ideals, but also because the ideals are too dreamlike to be realised. Nick Carraway is one of the few people in the novel that lives in a reality and not a dream. A prominent example of this is when Nick says: “They’re a rotten crowd. You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” (Ch. VIII. pg. 160). This statement reveals how he understands the major role money plays in corrupting an individual. Unlike West Egg inhabitants, Nick does not let money or materialistic items control his life. In the end, dreams turned into a false reality, the only thing that mattered to them, ended up being the …show more content…
Through the motif of weather we see how the characters emotions change as the weather changes as well. Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion begins during pouring rain, demonstrating the tension and disconsolate meeting and later on their love reawakens just as the sun begins to come out. Once rekindling her relationship with Gatsby, Daisy is experiencing such an extreme change. Daisy is reflecting on her life with Gatsby and is beginning to enjoy her time with him once again, which brings extreme excitement to her life. In fact, Gatsby has brought on change for many of the characters. Nick also experiences a change by Gatsby. He realises that you do not need money or possessions to be happy but rather a true heart and strong relationship. Gatsby’s confrontation with Tom occurs on the hottest day of the summer, under the scorching sun and Tom changes from untruthful and uncaring, to devoted and truthful his wife once again. During these events, Nick describes the weather becoming stronger as the seriousness of the event becomes stronger and the changes in characters take place. Gatsby, like this new era, has brought change in everyone. It shows how with the change in time so much can