Fitzgerald’s Literary Style

F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the most influential American writers of the 20th century, known for his depiction of the Jazz Age and the disillusionment surrounding the American Dream. His literary career was marked by both immense success and personal struggles, which shaped the themes and style of his work. Born in 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald demonstrated an early talent for writing. He published his first novel, *This Side of Paradise*, in 1920, which brought him instant fame and financial success. This achievement allowed him to marry Zelda Sayre, whose extravagant lifestyle influenced many of his works. Fitzgerald’s most famous novel, *The Great Gatsby* (1925), is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels, capturing the themes of wealth, ambition, and lost love. Later in his career, he wrote *Tender Is the Night* (1934), a novel that explores mental illness and the decline of glamour, as well as numerous short stories that examined the moral decay and excesses of the 1920s. Despite his literary brilliance, Fitzgerald struggled with alcoholism and financial instability, eventually moving to Hollywood to work as a screenwriter. He died in 1940 at the age of 44, leaving behind an enduring literary legacy.

Fitzgerald’s writing style is distinctive, marked by lyrical prose and rich imagery. His works are deeply poetic, incorporating elements of romanticism and symbolic motifs that enhance the themes of his stories. He frequently used symbols, such as the green light in The Great Gatsby, to represent hope and unattainable dreams. His writing also serves as a critique of social structures, particularly the pursuit of wealth and class divisions in American society. Fitzgerald’s works often contain autobiographical elements, reflecting his own fascination with status and the personal hardships he faced. Additionally, his perspective on the Jazz Age was complex—while he criticized its excesses, he also empathized with its fleeting glamour and the emotional struggles of those caught in its allure. Although Fitzgerald’s life was filled with challenges, his legacy endures as his novels and short stories continue to be studied for their profound insights into human ambition, societal change, and the cost of pursuing dreams. His ability to intertwine deep emotion with social critique makes his work timeless, resonating with readers across generations.

 

The Great Gatsby

Plot

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel set in the Roaring Twenties, exploring themes of wealth, ambition, love, and the American Dream. The story follows Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire known for his extravagant parties, as he attempts to rekindle his past romance with Daisy Buchanan, a woman he loved before the war. Narrated by Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s neighbor, the novel delves into the illusions of wealth, the corruption of dreams, and the tragic consequences of obsession. The novel opens with Nick Carraway moves to West Egg, Long Island, in 1922 to pursue a career in finance. He soon learns that his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby, throws lavish parties but remains an enigmatic figure. Through Jordan Baker, a friend of Nick’s cousin Daisy Buchanan, Nick discovers that Gatsby was once deeply in love with Daisy and has built his fortune in hopes of winning her back.

Nick arranges a meeting between Gatsby and Daisy, and their romance rekindles. However, Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and arrogant man who is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, the wife of a struggling mechanic. As tensions rise, Gatsby and Tom confront each other in a heated argument, during which Gatsby insists that Daisy never loved Tom. Daisy, unable to fully commit to Gatsby, remains torn between the two men. On the way home from the confrontation, Daisy—driving Gatsby’s car—accidentally hits and kills Myrtle. Gatsby takes the blame, believing Daisy will choose him. However, Tom convinces Myrtle’s husband, George Wilson, that Gatsby was responsible. In a tragic turn, Wilson kills Gatsby before taking his own life. In the aftermath, Daisy and Tom leave town, indifferent to Gatsby’s fate. Nick, disillusioned by the moral decay of the wealthy, arranges Gatsby’s funeral, which is sparsely attended. The novel ends with Nick reflecting on the unattainable nature of dreams and the relentless passage of time.

Setting

The setting of The Great Gatsby plays a crucial role in shaping the novel’s themes and characters. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses distinct locations to reflect social divisions, the pursuit of wealth, and the moral decay of the 1920s.

West Egg and East Egg

The novel is set primarily in West Egg and East Egg, two fictional peninsulas on Long Island. West Egg represents new money, where self-made individuals like Jay Gatsby reside. Gatsby’s mansion is extravagant and ostentatious, symbolizing his attempt to fit into high society. In contrast, East Egg is home to old money, where families like the Buchanans live. Their wealth is inherited, and they look down on the newly rich. This divide highlights the rigid class structure and the illusion of the American Dream.

The Valley of Ashes

Between Long Island and New York City lies the Valley of Ashes, a bleak, industrial wasteland. It represents poverty, decay, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The Wilson family, who live there, struggle to escape their circumstances, contrasting sharply with the excesses of the wealthy. The valley serves as a reminder that not everyone can achieve success, reinforcing the novel’s critique of social inequality.

New York City

New York City is depicted as a place of moral ambiguity and reckless indulgence. Characters engage in affairs, excessive drinking, and dishonest dealings. It symbolizes the chaotic and superficial nature of the Jazz Age, where people chase pleasure without considering the consequences.

Gatsby’s Mansion

Gatsby’s home is a physical representation of his dreams and illusions. He throws lavish parties in hopes of attracting Daisy Buchanan, but despite his wealth, he remains an outsider. His mansion reflects both his success and his ultimate failure—he can accumulate riches, but he cannot buy true acceptance or love.

Significance of Point of View in The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is narrated from the first-person limited perspective of Nick Carraway, which plays a crucial role in shaping the novel’s themes, tone, and reliability. The choice of Nick as the narrator influences how readers perceive Gatsby, the other characters, and the moral landscape of the Roaring Twenties.

1. Reliability and Bias

Nick presents himself as an honest and impartial observer, but his narration is subjective and biased. He openly admires Gatsby, describing him as having “an extraordinary gift for hope.” His fondness for Gatsby contrasts with his disdain for Tom and Daisy Buchanan, making his perspective sympathetic toward Gatsby’s dream while critical of the wealthy elite. This bias affects how events are portrayed, leading readers to question whether Gatsby is truly great or merely a tragic figure.

2. Limited Perspective

Since the novel is told from Nick’s point of view, readers only see events through his eyes. He does not have access to the inner thoughts of other characters unless they reveal them to him. This limitation creates mystery and ambiguity, particularly regarding Gatsby’s past and Daisy’s true feelings. Fitzgerald uses this technique to heighten suspense, making Gatsby an enigmatic figure whose motivations are gradually uncovered.

3. Framing the Story

Nick serves as both a participant and an observer, allowing Fitzgerald to frame the novel as a reflection on the past. The story is told in retrospect, with Nick recounting events after Gatsby’s death. This structure emphasizes the theme of nostalgia, reinforcing Gatsby’s obsession with recreating the past and the novel’s critique of the illusion of the American Dream.

4. Moral Commentary

Nick’s narration provides a moral lens through which readers interpret the novel. He begins as a neutral outsider but becomes increasingly disillusioned by the selfishness and recklessness of the wealthy. His final judgment—that Gatsby was “worth the whole damn bunch put together”—suggests that Gatsby, despite his flaws, was more genuine than the corrupt aristocracy of East Egg.

Theme Analysis

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby explores several profound themes that reflect the complexities of the Roaring Twenties, the pursuit of wealth, and the illusions of the American Dream. Below are some of the novel’s central themes:

1. The American Dream and Its Corruption

One of the most significant themes in The Great Gatsby is the American Dream, which promises success and prosperity through hard work. Gatsby embodies this dream, rising from poverty to immense wealth in hopes of winning Daisy Buchanan. However, Fitzgerald critiques the dream’s corruption, showing that Gatsby’s success is built on illegal activities and that wealth does not guarantee happiness. The novel suggests that the American Dream has become tainted by materialism and social status rather than genuine ambition.

2. Wealth and Class Divisions

The novel highlights the divide between old money (East Egg) and new money (West Egg). Gatsby, despite his wealth, is never truly accepted by the aristocratic elite, represented by Tom and Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald portrays the upper class as careless and morally bankrupt, using their privilege to escape consequences. The contrast between Gatsby’s lavish parties and the Valley of Ashes, a desolate industrial wasteland, underscores the stark inequalities of the era.

3. Love and Obsession

Gatsby’s love for Daisy is idealized and obsessive, representing his longing for the past. He believes that recreating their romance will bring him fulfillment, but Daisy is ultimately unwilling to abandon her privileged life. Fitzgerald suggests that Gatsby’s dream is unattainable, as Daisy is more attached to wealth and security than true love.

4. The Illusion of Identity

Gatsby reinvents himself, changing his name and accumulating wealth to fit into high society. However, his transformation is superficial, and he remains an outsider. The novel explores the idea that identity is shaped by social perception, and Gatsby’s efforts to change his fate ultimately lead to his downfall.

5. Moral Decay and Recklessness

The novel critiques the moral decay of the 1920s, where excess and indulgence overshadow ethical values. Characters like Tom and Daisy act selfishly, leaving destruction in their wake without facing consequences. The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, a billboard in the Valley of Ashes, symbolize the loss of morality and the absence of true justice.

Character Analysis

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby features a cast of complex characters, each representing different aspects of wealth, ambition, and moral decay in the Roaring Twenties. Below is an analysis of the novel’s key figures.

Jay Gatsby

Gatsby, the novel’s protagonist, is a self-made millionaire who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back Daisy Buchanan, the woman he loved before the war. Born James Gatz, he reinvented himself to escape his humble origins. Gatsby embodies the American Dream, but his pursuit of wealth is driven by an illusion—his belief that he can recreate the past. His tragic flaw is his idealism, as he refuses to accept that Daisy has moved on. Despite his wealth, Gatsby remains an outsider, unable to truly integrate into the aristocratic world of East Egg. His death symbolizes the failure of the American Dream, showing that material success does not guarantee happiness.

Nick Carraway

Nick is the novel’s narrator, a young man from the Midwest who moves to West Egg to work in finance. He is both an observer and participant in Gatsby’s world, serving as a bridge between the old money and new money classes. Initially, Nick is fascinated by Gatsby’s charm and ambition, but he becomes disillusioned by the moral corruption of the wealthy elite. By the end of the novel, he is one of the few characters who genuinely mourn Gatsby’s death, highlighting his sense of integrity in contrast to the selfishness of others.

Daisy Buchanan

Daisy is Gatsby’s love interest and Nick’s cousin. She is beautiful and charming but ultimately shallow and self-serving. While Gatsby idealizes her as the perfect woman, Daisy is more concerned with wealth and security than true love. She chooses to stay with Tom Buchanan, despite Gatsby’s devotion, because she values stability over passion. Her inability to take responsibility for her actions—such as Myrtle Wilson’s death—reinforces her role as a symbol of moral decay in the upper class.

Tom Buchanan

Tom is Daisy’s husband, a wealthy and arrogant man who represents old money privilege. He is racist, sexist, and hypocritical, engaging in an affair with Myrtle Wilson while condemning Daisy’s relationship with Gatsby. Tom embodies the corrupt power of the elite, using his influence to manipulate others. His ability to escape consequences, while Gatsby suffers, highlights the injustice of social hierarchy.

Jordan Baker

Jordan is a professional golfer and a friend of Daisy’s. She is cynical and dishonest, often bending the truth to suit her needs. She serves as a contrast to Nick, who initially admires her independence but later realizes her lack of integrity. Jordan represents the moral ambiguity of the Jazz Age, where deception and self-interest prevail.

Myrtle and George Wilson

Myrtle, Tom’s mistress, is desperate to escape her life in the Valley of Ashes. She believes Tom will elevate her status, but she is ultimately used and discarded. Her tragic death symbolizes the false hope of social mobility. George, her husband, is a struggling mechanic who is devoted but powerless. His grief drives him to kill Gatsby, showing the destructive consequences of wealth disparity.

Motifs and Symbols

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is rich with motifs and symbols that enhance its themes of wealth, ambition, and disillusionment. Below are some of the most significant ones:

1. The Green Light

The green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock is one of the novel’s most famous symbols. It represents Gatsby’s dreams and hopes, particularly his longing for Daisy. The light is just out of reach, mirroring Gatsby’s unattainable desire to recreate the past. It also symbolizes the illusion of the American Dream, suggesting that success and happiness remain distant, no matter how hard one strives.

2. The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

The faded billboard featuring the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg looms over the Valley of Ashes, serving as a haunting symbol of moral decay and judgment. Some characters, like George Wilson, interpret the eyes as God watching over society, highlighting the novel’s theme of spiritual emptiness in a world obsessed with wealth.

3. The Valley of Ashes

The Valley of Ashes is a desolate, industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York City. It represents poverty, decay, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The people who live there, like George and Myrtle Wilson, struggle to escape their circumstances, contrasting sharply with the excesses of the wealthy elite.

4. Gatsby’s Mansion

Gatsby’s lavish mansion symbolizes both his success and his loneliness. He throws extravagant parties in hopes of attracting Daisy, but despite his wealth, he remains an outsider. His mansion reflects the hollowness of materialism, showing that wealth does not guarantee fulfillment.

5. Colors (Gold, Yellow, and White)

Fitzgerald uses color symbolism throughout the novel:

• Gold and Yellow: Represent wealth and false luxury. Gatsby’s car is yellow, and Daisy is often associated with gold, emphasizing the superficial allure of money.
• White: Symbolizes purity and innocence, but in the novel, it often represents false purity. Daisy wears white, yet her actions reveal her selfishness and moral ambiguity.

6. Time and Clocks

Gatsby’s obsession with repeating the past is symbolized by time. When he reunites with Daisy, he knocks over a clock, reflecting his struggle against time and his inability to reclaim what was lost.

Theoretical Approaches Applicable to The Great Gatsby

There are several literary approaches that can be applied to The Great Gatsby, each offering a unique perspective on its themes, characters, and social commentary. Here are some of the most relevant approaches:

1. Historical Approach

This approach examines the novel in the context of the Roaring Twenties, a period of economic prosperity, social change, and excess. Fitzgerald’s depiction of wealth, materialism, and moral decay reflects the realities of post-World War I America. The novel critiques the American Dream, showing how it became corrupted by greed and superficiality.

2. Marxist Approach

A Marxist reading focuses on class struggle and economic disparity. The novel highlights the divide between old money (East Egg) and new money (West Egg), as well as the working-class struggles represented by the Valley of Ashes. Gatsby’s inability to be accepted by the elite despite his wealth underscores the rigid class structure.

3. Feminist Approach

A feminist analysis explores the roles of women in the novel, particularly Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Myrtle Wilson. Daisy is often seen as a symbol of male desire, while Myrtle’s tragic fate reflects the limited agency of women in a patriarchal society. The novel critiques the way women are valued based on beauty and wealth rather than independence.

4. Psychoanalytic Approach

This approach, based on Freudian theory, examines Gatsby’s obsession with the past and his idealization of Daisy. Gatsby’s inability to move forward suggests a fixation on an unattainable dream, while other characters, such as Tom Buchanan, exhibit narcissistic and aggressive tendencies.

5. Symbolic Approach

A symbolic reading focuses on the novel’s motifs and symbols, such as the green light, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes. These elements reinforce themes of illusion, judgment, and decay, adding layers of meaning to the narrative.

6. Postmodern Approach

Some scholars view The Great Gatsby as a postmodern critique of identity and reality. Gatsby’s reinvention of himself raises questions about authenticity, while the novel’s unreliable narrator, Nick Carraway, challenges the idea of objective truth.

7. Moral and Ethical Approach

This approach examines the novel’s moral decay, particularly the selfishness and recklessness of the wealthy elite. Gatsby’s idealism contrasts with the cynicism of characters like Tom and Daisy, highlighting the novel’s critique of moral irresponsibility.

Bibliography

Books

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby: The Authorized Text. Scribner, 1992.
• Corrigan, Maureen. So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures. Little, Brown, 2014.
• Bruccoli, Matthew J. New Essays on The Great Gatsby. Cambridge University Press, 1985.
• Lehan, Richard. F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Craft of Fiction. Southern Illinois University Press, 1995.
• Prigozy, Ruth. The Cambridge Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Cambridge University Press, 2002.

Articles

• Anderson, Hephzibah. "Why The Great Gatsby is the world's most misunderstood novel". BBC Culture, 2025.
• Martinez, Julia. "The Great Gatsby | Summary, Characters, Reception, & Analysis". Britannica, 2025.
• Kayata, Erin. "Why The Great Gatsby still resonates a century after publication". Northeastern University News, 2025.
• Tanner, Tony. "The Great Gatsby: The Novel of the Twenties." The American Novel and Its Tradition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979.
• Callahan, John F. "F. Scott Fitzgerald's Evolving American Dream." American Literature, vol. 61, no. 1, 1989, pp. 32-55.