To many, the novel by Scott Fitzgerald titled “ The Great Gatsby” may focus on the prohibited love between two individuals. Though this may be the most obvious to many, behind the pages filled with romance and happiness Fitzgerald emphasises on the irony of the 1920’s: an era of materialistic excess. The story line unravels in NYC, somewhere near Long Island. Where “ the great Gatsby” lives and hosts the cities most prestigious and loudest parties. The author of this particular novel uses the characters in the plot to emphasis the social trends that surfaced during the 1920’s. Nick and Gatsby, who have a great significance in the book both fought in World War 1. They both resemble the new cosmopolitan life style that came as an after shock toWhat I found most fascinating though the war. Fitzgerald also captures the new trends and the cynicism that came after war. More specifically the “new rich” or the contrast between the “old money” and the “ new money”. Through Gatsby we see that this man on the surface is described as one of the wealthiest man known in the area, he is known for his enormous mansion, fast cars and glamorous life. It’s safe to say that if you knew Gatsby you were part of the elite comittee. But beneath all the glamour and high life Gatsby was a sensible man who was really nothing. Every saturday he threw the biggest parties in the area, were everyone was invited and everyone went. He spent thousands of dollars popularising his parties, only because he wanted that one girl to come. He was a sad, sad, sole exploiting even what he didn’t have to get the love he most desperately needed. On the other hand we have Nick , who moves right next to Gatsby and is a complete nobody. He is there to start practicing his career as a businessman ,but ends up being Gatsby new sidekick. He is the representation of the need of the people who were desperate for being part of the elite social scene and would never admit their desperate urge for acceptance. Personally I believe that the symbolism behind the novel is what truly makes it so special and interesting. Like in everything Fitzgerald points out that everything that goes up must come down, and everything that shines isn’t gold. |