Great Gatsby Criticism Essay

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Brittney J. Murugesan Mrs. Valerie Watson English 9 GT 11 April 2014 The Great Gatsby Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby established himself as a great American author. Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby is classified as modernism and highlights life during the Jazz Age. A dominant theme of the novel is the quest for the “American Dream.” Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is somewhat autobiographical; emphasizes the literary elements of setting, theme, and symbolism; and has received extensive criticism. The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway who recently traveled to New York City to embark on his new career. Fortunately, Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, lives in New York and is the wife of Tom Buchanan who also happens to be Nick’s former friend in college. Nick moves into to his new home and meets a popular, mysterious, and successful neighbor, Gatsby, who hosts extravagant parties every Saturday night. Nick and Gatsby begin to develop a strong friendship. Gatsby is essentially living the American Dream. Throughout the book, the reader learns that Gatsby grew up in a poor family and went off to serve in World War II. Nick learns that Gatsby and Daisy have an intimate history, and Gatsby still holds on to those feelings. In an attempt to win Daisy back, Nick invites Daisy over for tea with Gatsby. They rekindle their love for one another, and a love affair begins. Tom, Daisy’s husband, has been having an affair with Myrtle Wilson. Even though she has her own husband, Tom and Myrtle continue their relationship. Tom becomes aware of the love Gatsby feels for Daisy, and, after being presented with the two ultimatums, Daisy chooses wealth over true love by choosing Tom. Daisy accidentally killed Myrtle while drivin... ... middle of paper ... ...spite Gatsby’s love for Daisy and how much he thinks he knows her, he is still blind of who she truly is. Unsurprisingly, the true man who is most like God or some other providential figure is not Gatsby, but rather, Nick Carraway, because he is the only one who objectively truly sees everyone for who they are. It is clear that Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s life experiences has greatly influenced the novel The Great Gatsby. He was not only an author, but he was something much more superior due to his artistic use of figurative language such as setting, symbolism, and theme. In addition, the remarkable reviews the Great Gatsby received is the reason why the novel is acknowledged as his finest novel. An artist would be a more accurate term to describe Fitzgerald. He does not simply write words on paper. He takes the agony in his life and paints a picture with words.

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