Key Themes and Ideas - The Great Gatsby

Question 1

What does The Great Gatsby say about the American Dream?

Answer 1

The novel critiques the American Dream, suggesting that it is corrupt and unattainable. Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status to win Daisy’s love symbolizes the hollow nature of the dream, which promises success but often leads to disillusionment and moral decay.

Question 2

How does class structure impact characters in The Great Gatsby?

Answer 2

The novel highlights the rigid class divisions between characters, with the wealthy (East Egg) and the newly rich (West Egg) separated from the working class (Valley of Ashes). Gatsby’s rise from poverty contrasts with Tom and Daisy’s inherited wealth, showing how class affects power, privilege, and moral values.

Question 3

How is love portrayed in the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy?

Answer 3

Gatsby’s love for Daisy is more of an obsession with an idealized version of her and the life she represents. Their relationship symbolizes the impossibility of recapturing the past and the destructive nature of obsessive desires.

Question 4

What role does the past play in Gatsby’s life?

Answer 4

Gatsby is consumed by his desire to recreate the past, particularly his romance with Daisy. His inability to let go of the past ultimately leads to his downfall, illustrating the dangers of living in nostalgia and the impossibility of reclaiming lost time

Question 5

How does illusion play a role in The Great Gatsby?

Answer 5

Many characters in the novel live in illusions or false perceptions of themselves and others. Gatsby’s persona is built on a lie about his background, and the illusion of wealth and happiness in East Egg masks the moral decay and dissatisfaction beneath the surface.

Question 6

How does The Great Gatsby depict morality and corruption?

Answer 6

The novel portrays a morally bankrupt society, where characters like Tom and Daisy are careless and self-serving. Gatsby’s wealth is gained through dubious means, and even Nick, the narrator, struggles with his moral stance. Corruption pervades both the wealthy and poor communities, suggesting a decay in the American moral fabric.

Question 7

What does the green light symbolize?

Answer 7

The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s unattainable dreams and the future he longs for. It represents both hope and the elusive nature of the American Dream, as Gatsby reaches for a goal that remains out of his grasp.

Question 8

What does the Valley of Ashes represent?

Answer 8

The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of industrialization’s toll on the American landscape and society. It represents the moral and social decay of those left behind by the pursuit of wealth and the stark contrast between the rich and the poor.

Question 9

How does carelessness manifest in the novel’s characters?

Answer 9

Characters like Tom and Daisy exhibit carelessness in their relationships and actions, showing a disregard for the consequences of their behavior. Their wealth shields them from accountability, while others, like Gatsby and Myrtle, suffer the fallout of their reckless actions.

Question 10

How does Nick Carraway’s perspective influence the story?

Answer 10

Nick’s role as an unreliable narrator shapes the reader’s view of events and characters. His biases, moral judgments, and ambiguity create a complex narrative that leaves certain aspects of the story open to interpretation, particularly his views on Gatsby and the world around him.

Question 11

How does The Great Gatsby depict the Roaring Twenties?

Answer 11

The film portrays the Roaring Twenties as a time of economic prosperity, cultural change, and moral decline. The characters’ indulgence in wealth, alcohol, and reckless behavior reflects the era’s fascination with materialism and excess.

Question 12

What do Gatsby’s extravagant parties symbolize?

Answer 12

Gatsby’s lavish parties symbolize the excess and hedonism of the Jazz Age. They also highlight the emptiness of the upper class, as the parties are filled with people who don’t know Gatsby personally and only come for superficial enjoyment.

Question 13

What do the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg symbolize?

Answer 13

The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg on the billboard in the Valley of Ashes are often interpreted as a symbol of God or a higher moral authority, watching over the characters and their corrupt actions, though without intervening.

Question 14

How does Nick’s view of the world change over the course of the story?

Answer 14

Nick begins the story with an open mind but becomes increasingly disillusioned by the moral decay and shallowness of the wealthy characters he encounters. His growing cynicism reflects the theme of lost innocence and the corruption of the American Dream.

Question 15

What does Gatsby’s mansion represent?

Answer 15

Gatsby’s mansion symbolizes his wealth and desire to impress Daisy, but it also represents his isolation. Despite the grandeur, Gatsby lives a lonely life, and the mansion becomes a hollow representation of his unattainable dreams.

Question 16

What role do cars play in The Great Gatsby?

Answer 16

Cars symbolize both the modernity and recklessness of the era. Gatsby’s yellow car, in particular, represents his wealth and status, but it also becomes a symbol of destruction when it is involved in Myrtle’s death.

Question 17

What does Daisy represent to Gatsby?

Answer 17

Daisy represents the idealized version of love and success that Gatsby has been striving for. To Gatsby, she is more of a symbol of his dreams and aspirations than a real person, which leads to his inability to see her flaws.

Question 18

How is the tension between old money and new money depicted?

Answer 18

The novel contrasts the “old money” aristocracy of East Egg (Tom and Daisy) with the “new money” of West Egg (Gatsby). The old money class looks down on those who earned their fortunes, like Gatsby, highlighting the rigid social hierarchy.

Question 19

What does Myrtle Wilson’s character represent?

Answer 19

Myrtle represents the lower class and the consequences of the American Dream’s false promises. Her affair with Tom is an attempt to escape her circumstances, but she is ultimately used and discarded, showing the tragic side of social ambition.

Question 20

: What does Gatsby’s reinvention of himself represent?

Answer 20

Gatsby’s transformation from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby symbolizes the ability to create a new identity and rise above one’s circumstances. However, his reinvention is also a facade, and his past haunts him, revealing the limits of self-made success.

Question 21

How is Tom Buchanan hypocritical?

Answer 21

Tom criticizes Gatsby’s lack of social status and morality while ignoring his own infidelities and cruelty. His hypocrisy highlights the moral contradictions of the wealthy, who impose standards on others while living by their own rules.

Question 22

What is significant about Daisy’s voice in the film?

Answer 22

Gatsby famously says Daisy’s voice is “full of money,” suggesting that her allure is tied to wealth and privilege. Her voice becomes a symbol of the seductive yet shallow nature of the upper class and the materialism that drives Gatsby’s obsession.

Question 23

How is fate portrayed in The Great Gatsby?

Answer 23

The film suggests that fate plays a role in the tragic outcomes of the characters. Despite their efforts to change their circumstances, the characters seem unable to escape their social status or personal flaws, leading to inevitable tragedy.

Question 25

How does dishonesty affect relationships in The Great Gatsby?

Answer 25

Many characters engage in deception, from Gatsby’s lies about his past to Tom’s infidelity and Daisy’s lack of honesty about her feelings. Dishonesty erodes trust and drives the plot’s tragic outcomes, revealing the fragile nature of relationships built on lies.

Question 26

What is the significance of East Egg and West Egg?

Answer 26

East Egg represents the established aristocracy and inherited wealth, while West Egg symbolizes the nouveau riche and those who have earned their fortunes. The geographic divide reinforces the social and moral differences between the two groups.

Question 27

What role does Jordan Baker play in the story?

Answer 27

Jordan Baker represents the modern, liberated woman of the 1920s. However, she is also dishonest and somewhat detached, mirroring the era’s moral ambiguity. Her relationship with Nick is fleeting, underscoring the theme of impermanence.

Question 28

How is the weather used symbolically in the film?

Answer 28

The weather often reflects the emotional tone of scenes. For example, the heat during the confrontation between Gatsby and Tom mirrors the rising tensions. Weather acts as a symbol of the characters’ internal states and the dramatic shifts in the story.

Question 29

What is Nick’s final judgement of the characters?

Answer 29

By the end of the story, Nick condemns the careless behavior of Tom and Daisy, while expressing a sense of admiration for Gatsby’s hope and idealism, despite his flaws. This judgment underscores the novel’s moral complexity.

Question 30

What objects or events symbolize excess in the film?

Answer 30

Objects like Gatsby’s mansion, his car, and his parties all symbolize the excess of the Jazz Age. These symbols reflect the materialism and moral decay of the characters, highlighting the era’s obsession with wealth and status.

Question 31

What is the significance of Gatsby’s death?

Answer 31

Gatsby’s death symbolizes the collapse of his dream and the ultimate failure of the American Dream. His tragic end, unrecognized by the people who once admired his wealth, underscores the emptiness of his pursuit and the moral cost of his ambition.

Question 32

How is the theme of moral decay presented?

Answer 32

The characters’ pursuit of wealth and pleasure often comes at the expense of morality. From Tom’s infidelity to Gatsby’s illegal activities, the novel suggests that the pursuit of the American Dream leads to a decline in ethical values.

Question 33

What is the significance of Gatsby’s lonely funeral?

Answer 33

Despite his wealth and popularity, Gatsby’s funeral is attended by very few people. This highlights the superficiality of his relationships and the isolation he faced, contrasting the grand image he tried to project during his life.

Question 34

How are women portrayed in The Great Gatsby?

Answer 34

Women in the film, such as Daisy and Jordan, are portrayed as complex yet often constrained by societal expectations. While they have a degree of independence, their lives are still influenced by the men around them and the limitations of the era.