Great Gatsby

A detailed Summary of Great Gatsby

Besides being a great novel, The Great Gatsby is a very symbolic book, not to

mention it's many themes and meanings. This paper will discuss three of the major

themes as well as some of the symbols, and try to explain the ending of the book.

One of the first themes that comes to mind when one reads this book is the

theme of position. This includes class, wealth and social standing. It is apparent that

position is a large factor in this novel and time period within the first few chapters of

the book. Nick is a middle class mid-westerner who moves to West Egg. Gatsby is

rich, but he is only "new money" and also lives in East Egg. There is a position that

he strives for and he wil do almost anything to achieve this. The Buchanans and

however live in West Egg and are "old money". Even though they may have less

money than Gatsby they have a better social standing. East and West Egg , as well as

the water that seperates it are symbols in this book which strenghten this theme. The

water seperates East and West Egg and creates a barrier between them much like social

standing and wealth creates a barrier for the charachters in this book.

Another theme of the novel is the theme of carelessness. Nick refe

Gatsby and his dreams. Nick realizes that Gatsby has the sense of unlimited promise.

retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness..." One example of this

explorers, soilders and patriots infused America with their own dreams and values.

harmfull when they meet other careless people like Nick meeting the Buchanans.

which is Daisy. He has accomplished all of this for her, and won't be satisfied until he

However, the time in which the dream of America could be seen as a pure symbol of

The blue lawn reminds us that the dream is unattainable, it is blue because it is a

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Jordan, Tom and Daisy as careless. They are careless people who do careless acts, they

He possesed the American Dream. Fitzgerald ends the novel by reminding the reader

Approximate Word count = 858
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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