An Analysis of F. Scott Fitzgerald's
The Great Gatsby

Step into the glittering world of 'The Great Gatsby' where the allure of wealth, the thirst for love, and the decline of the American Dream weave a tale that is as seductive as it is tragic. F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece invites readers to experience the Roaring Twenties through the eyes of Nick Carraway, a young man caught in the tumultuous lives of his enigmatic neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and the captivating Daisy Buchanan. With rich prose and timeless themes, this novel promises to capture the hearts and minds of those who dare to delve into its pages.

Reflective, Elegiac, Ironical, Lyrical, Cynical

Tragic Romance, Social Commentary, Modernist Literature

• A stunning portrayal of the Jazz Age that captures both its exuberance and its underlying hollowness.
• Fitzgerald's lyrical writing style and poignant social commentary make this an unforgettable classic.
• The complex characters and tragic storyline offer a deep exploration of love, ambition, and the American Dream.
• An evocative narrative that mesmerizes readers with its rich symbolism and elegant descriptions.
• A foundational text in American literature, offering an insightful perspective on wealth and class in the 1920s.

• The pace can be slow, and some readers might find the focus on high society and its troubles alienating.
• Some characters lack redeeming qualities, making it difficult for readers to empathize with them.
• The themes of corruption and the disillusionment of the American Dream may be bleak and disheartening for some.
• The novel's subtle plot and symbolism require attentive reading, which might not appeal to those looking for casual entertainment.
• The tragic elements and lack of a traditional happy ending might be unsatisfactory for readers who prefer more uplifting narratives.

• Nick Carraway - The novel's narrator who moves to West Egg to start a career in bond sales, rents a house next to Gatsby, and becomes intertwined with the latter's life.
• Jay Gatsby - Gatsby is the wealthy and mysterious owner of a luxurious mansion known for his extravagant parties, deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan.
• Daisy Buchanan - Nick's cousin, married to Tom, and Gatsby's former love. She is an embodiment of old money and the object of Gatsby's obsession.
• Tom Buchanan - Daisy's husband, a brutal and affluent member of the East Egg elite, who is both an old college acquaintance of Nick and an adversary of Gatsby.
• Jordan Baker - A professional golfer and Daisy's friend, Jordan becomes romantically involved with Nick and represents the modern woman of the 1920s.

In Chapter I, Nick Carraway describes his move to West Egg after WWI to pursue a career in bonds and reunites with his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband, Tom, in East Egg, discovering their troubled marriage and Tom's infidelity. Chapter II shows the contrast between the Eggs and the desolate Valley of Ashes where Tom's mistress, Myrtle, lives; a gathering in the city ends with Tom striking Myrtle. Gatsby's opulent parties are depicted in Chapter III, where Nick meets Gatsby and begins a friendship with Jordan Baker. In Chapter IV, Gatsby's mysterious past as Jay Gatz is hinted at, Tom meets Gatsby, and Nick learns of Gatsby's past with Daisy. Nick facilitates a reunion between Gatsby and Daisy in Chapter V, leading to a rekindled romance. Chapter VI unveils Gatsby's transformation from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby and his unwavering dedication to Daisy, culminating in a tense confrontation with Tom at Gatsby's party. The climax in Chapter VII features the reveal of Daisy and Gatsby's affair, Daisy's inability to denounce Tom, a fatal accident involving Myrtle, and the Buchanans' inscrutable unity. In Chapter VIII, haunted by the accident and unflinching in his devotion, Gatsby is murdered by Myrtle's husband, who misconstrues the accident's events. Lastly, Chapter IX concludes the narrative with Gatsby's lonesome funeral and Nick's disillusionment with the East and musings on the American Dream as he returns West.

• Nick Carraway's exposure to and disillusionment with the East Coast elite society
• Jay Gatsby's past and his obsessive quest to win back Daisy Buchanan
• Daisy and Tom Buchanan's turbulent marriage and affairs
• The moral decay of the American Dream and the socio-economic class divide
• The tragic unfolding of events leading to Gatsby's death

• Nick's introduction to the lavish lifestyle of the Buchanans and meeting with Gatsby
• Gatsby's elaborate parties thrown in hopes of reconnecting with Daisy
• The establishment of Gatsby's romantic past with Daisy and his intentions to revive their love
• The unraveling of Gatsby and Daisy's affair and the consequent tension with Tom
• The aftermath of the car accident, leading to Gatsby's murder, and Nick's subsequent departure