The Great Gatsby Essay -- English Literature Essays

Texts can be valued and appreciated for numerous reasons, and this is particularly apparent in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. The novel is a great part of 20th century literature and is valued for the themes and ideas which Fitzgerald presents, such as the importance of dreams in peoples’ lives, the myth that is the ‘American Dream’, Fitzgerald’s perspective of 1920’s life, and the style in which he portrays his ideas. It is also valued simply as a love story – as an entertaining narrative. In The Great Gatsby, dreams and their importance play a major part in the plot and underlying themes. It is seen that Gatsby himself presents this idea the most; this is because Gatsby is different to all the other characters in the novel as he actually has a dream – to â€Å"improve himself† which he hopes will eventually win back Daisy’s love. â€Å"†¦ An extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The reader learns that Gatsby has had dreams and ambitions his entire life, while his parents had none; Gatsby was not fond of this characteristic found in his parents. His goals and aspirations made him who he was and he realised that he was different to his parents in this way. He left his home, his mother and father at a young age and was described as a â€Å"son of God.† Gatsby disconnected himself from his parents and created his own identity as God created people. Gatsby’s dream is symbolised by the green light on the end of Daisy’s dock, across the river from his house, and represents his desire for Daisy. Nick (narrator the story) admires this quality in Gatsby and excuses all his faults because of his hopes and dreams. In the end, Gatsby dies in pursuit of his dreams and Nick says, â€Å"No – Gatsby turned out alright at the end; it was what prayed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams.† Nick, unlike the other characters, doesn’t have any goals or aspirations. He doesn’t have high expectations, and is comfortable with the way he lives his life. However, the other characters, Jordan, Daisy, Tom and Myrtle, are not happy with what they already have, and only have goals that are short-term, and are often self-centered and concerned with money. The people attending Gatsby’s parties also appear to be materialistic and without ambitions. They go through life without directions or dre... ...urning to him. The light at the end of her dock reassures him that she is till close to him, and his house lights represent his attempt to attract her. His lights are only turned off after their first kiss, when he is comfortable that he has her back, and when he is dead. Wolfsheim’s human molar cufflinks represent an increasingly materialistic and unfeeling society. Yet this text should be simply enjoyed as a love story – as an entertaining narrative. The story of Gatsby’s attempts to win the love of Daisy is representative of the writing styles during the 1920’s, and is valued for this insight. The tale of a man loving a woman and dieing in the quest for her love appeals to readers on an emotional level. The numerous themes and ideas that F. Scott Fitzgerald presents in The Great Gatsby are valued in many ways. He shows that dreams should be important in peoples’ lives, and that everyone should have a goal in life. He also displays the corrupt nature of the American Dream in the 1920’s, and how society’s social classes and racist views will never result to equality in America. This perspective of 20th century life and Fitzgerald’s style are also appreciated and valued.