the great gatsby is often described as the quintessential american novel, meaning it is most...
TRANSCRIPT
The Great Gatsby is often described as the quintessential American novel , meaning it is most reflective of America and Americans.
Fitzgerald set out to write a novel that would be reflective of his time period.
Original title – Under the Red, White and Blue
Some ideas presented in the novel East Coast vs. Midwest Racisim Capitalistic NYC as center of the universe Ties to Jazz lifestyle
The Great Gatsby is a book of contradictions.
Prohibition – the alcohol flowsQuintessential novel of America – Fitzgerald wrote it as an expatriate in EuropeReserving all judgments (Nick at least says) – very judgmental languageDaisy’s voice so compelling – she doesn’t say muchThe book is contradictory but represents America then and now!
Fitzgerald’s looks at American institutions, social policy and American behaviors.He takes an iconoclastic approach. Iconoclastic - One who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions.He shows how things look promising from a distance, but don’t look too closely.
How is the American Dream portrayed in the novel?
Setting – 1922Post WW I Breakdown of national boundaries and identities Internationalizing of literature, art, culture
Women rejecting Victorian era norms of dress and customary behavior for womenJazz age Bootleggers Immigration
Midwest vs East
“When I cam back from the East last autumn I felt I wanted the world to be in uniform and ata sort of moral attention forever.”
Nick’s family in Mid-west for three generations.
Daisy and Tom had been in Mid-west (Chicago)
