Examples Of Motif In The Great Gatsby

154 Words1 Page

Among the more apparent stylistic devices used by Fitzgerald to portray American society in The Great Gatsby is motif, which is a reoccurring idea or symbol that helps develop the theme of a novel . The division of West Egg and East Egg in the fictional vicinity of New York is an example of geographical motif. This geographical division represents the social class division between new money and old money in America. Gatsby is a denizen of West Egg and he represents the parvenus who have moved up the social ladder from rags-to-riches, usually within one generation. Fitzgerald excellently captures the stereotypical nouveau riche through Gatsby, who is evidently overwhelmed and unfamiliar with his great fortune and desperately tries to copy the

Open Document