Introduction
In the path of the First World War, America underwent a transformative era known as the Roaring Twenties. This decade, characterized by economic prosperity, cultural dynamism, and social change, is the backdrop for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s renowned novel, The Great Gatsby. Through the eyes of its characters, the novel offers a profound exposé of the period, capturing the essence of the Jazz Age and its underlying disillusionment. This essay will delve into the intricacies of The Great Gatsby and explore the themes that mirror the realities of the 1920s.
Analysis of Themes Through Characters
Femininity of Daisy
Firstly, Daisy Buchanan, one of the central characters in the novel, represents the traditional, yet fragile, ideal of femininity during the 1920s. The quote highlights the societal expectations imposed upon women, emphasizing their limited roles and the desire for ignorance: “I hope she’ll be a fool — that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Alanazi 657). In an era characterized by an increasing focus on materialism and superficiality, Daisy’s words reflect the prevailing sentiment of the time.
Duality of Nick
Secondly, the novel’s narrator, Nick Carraway, encapsulates the ambivalent attitude towards the era’s excesses. It illustrates the duality of his experience, as he admires the Roaring Twenties’ vibrancy and recoils from its moral emptiness: “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” (Alhalb 7). Carraway serves as the lens through which readers witness the extravagance and shallow pursuits of the era while also feeling a sense of detachment and disillusionment.
American Dream of Gatsby
Thirdly, Jay Gatsby, the impenetrable protagonist, exemplifies the American Dream of wealth, success, and social mobility. His relentless pursuit of Daisy and his extravagant lifestyle reflect the excesses and materialism of the 1920s: “Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!” (Kourtellos). Gatsby’s belief in the possibility of recreating the past speaks to the prevalent attitude of the era, as people sought to escape the harsh realities of the present through self-invention and indulgence.
Moral Decay of Tom and Daisy
In addition, Nick Carraway highlights the moral decay and irresponsibility prevalent among the wealthy elite. He claimed: “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.” (Licari 207). The characters of Tom and Daisy Buchanan represent the privileged class’s disregard for the consequences of their actions, reinforcing the theme of the corrupting influence of wealth during the 1920s. This quote captures the underlying social critique present in Fitzgerald’s novel.
Nostalgia of Nick
The concluding line of The Great Gatsby captures the profound sense of nostalgia and the recurring themes of lost dreams and unfulfilled aspirations. Nick’s reflection on the cyclical nature of human existence speaks to the disillusionment and longing for a simpler time that permeated the 1920s: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (Rustum). The line serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of the American Dream and the human struggle against time and circumstance.
Conclusion
The Great Gatsby stands as a timeless exposé of the Roaring Twenties, capturing the spirit and contradictions of the era. Through its vivid characters and intricate storytelling, the novel provides a window into the excesses, moral decay, and yearning for an idealized past that defined the period. Fitzgerald’s work is a testament to the profound impact of the Jazz Age and its enduring relevance in understanding the complexities of human nature and society.
Works Cited
Alanazi, Meshari S. “Great Gatsby and the Unwelcome Entrance of the New Woman.” Linguistics and Culture Review, vol. 6, 2022, pp. 655–66. Web.
Alhalb, Ayman Dawood Najim Sallawy. “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s the Great Gatsby in Scope of Postcolonialism Theory.” International Journal of Literature Studies, vol. 2, no. 2, 2022, pp. 01–08. Web.
Kourtellos, Andros. “The Great Gatsby Curve in Education With a Kink.” Economics Letters, vol. 208, Elsevier BV, 2021, p. 110054. Web.
Licari. “the Great Gatsby and the Suppression of War Experience.” The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review, vol. 17, no. 1, Penn State UP, 2019, p. 207. Web.
Rustum, Mariwan Hwayyiz. “America in the Early of the 1920s and Gatsby as a Symbol of American Dream.” Govarî Qeła, vol. 7, no. 1, Web.