Theme Of Innocence In The Great Gatsby

A theme in a work of literature is the author’s way of relaying a message to their audience. Often times, many themes are similar and recur throughout different pieces over time. For example, many characters begin their development at the beginning of the story as innocent and naive. However, as the course of the novel progresses, the characters evolve, and they can lose their innocence. This can later influence the characters behaviors and attitudes. The theme of innocence frequently appears in many classic American novels such as The Great Gatsby, The Crucible, The Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates the theme of innocence throughout

Before Gatsby leaves for the war, he has a brief relationship with Daisy, but he can not marry her due to the difference in their economic classes. Gatsby fails to understand why he is unable to obtain Daisy due to his newfound wealth he has acquired from shady business deals. Thus, Gatsby’s innocence causes him to believe that he can repeat his past relationship. In the novel, Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s friend and Daisy’s cousin, observes Gatsby’s innocence when Gatsby says, “You can't repeat the past,” and Gatsby determinedly says, “Why of course you can!” (Fitzgerald 116). In this statement by Gatsby, the reader is able to comprehend his innocence and vulnerability. As time progresses, Gatsby makes too many attempts to win over Daisy, which leads to his ultimate demise due to him taking the blame for Myrtle’s death. Additionally, Nick falls away from his initial innocence in the beginning of the plot. When Nick first moves to New York he is optimistic about his future and aspirations. He believes he can move to New York and start a new life after the devastating world, creating a mirage of the reality of New York. However, after

John Proctor has an affair with a young woman named Abigail Williams prior to the beginning of the play, which sets the basis for the events to occur. Williams is an antagonist of the play and sets rumors ablaze about certain women in the town being witches, and she embodies the absence of innocence. Due to her immense jealousy towards Elizabeth Proctor, John’s wife, Williams accuses her of witchcraft and blames her for the death of a woman’s babies to further prove her point. Unfortunately, many of the citizens believe Williams due to her adolescent innocence, and Elizabeth is tried for witchcraft. Elizabeth understands abigail’s true plan and states, “She wants me dead. I knew all week it would come to this! And what of tomorrow? She will cry me out until they take me!” (Miller 942). Likewise, John Proctor is able to see past Abigail’s innocent facade, and he says, “A man may think God sleeps, but God sees everything, I know it now. I beg you, sir, I beg you—see her what she is . . . She thinks to dance with me on my wife's grave!” (Miller 973). Additionally, Mary Warren, a friend of Abigail’s, retains her innocence up until she follows in Williams’ footsteps and accuses other women of witchcraft as well due to the pressure she feels placed on her. This further exemplifies characters losing their innocence. After seeing characters lose their innocence, some characters attempt to assist