The Great Gatsby Flashcards
American Dream
The idea of achieving success regardless of social class, often critiqued in the novel as corrupt and unachievable.
Modernism
A literary movement focusing on themes like alienation and disillusionment, reflected in Fitzgerald’s style.
Symbolism
Use of symbols, such as the green light, to represent deeper meanings.
Social Class
A major theme, highlighting divisions between old money, new money, and no money.
Narrative Perspective
Nick Carraway’s first-person, often biased, account of events.
Prohibition Era
The historical context of the 1920s, influencing Gatsby’s wealth through bootlegging.
Illusion vs Reality
A recurring theme, with Gatsby’s constructed persona clashing with his reality.
Decline of the American Dream
The disillusionment and moral decay represented in the pursuit of wealth and status.
Unreliable Narrator
Nick’s selective storytelling and biases complicate the narrative’s reliability.
Jazz Age
The cultural backdrop of the 1920s, marked by excess and change.
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolise?
It symbolises moral and social decay, as well as the plight of the working class.
How does Fitzgerald use colour symbolism?
Colors like green, white, and yellow represent themes such as hope, innocence, and corruption.
What role does Daisy Buchanan play in Gatsby’s dream?
She represents his idealised vision of love and success but is ultimately unworthy of his devotion.
How does Tom Buchanan embody old money values?
Through his arrogance, entitlement, and disdain for those with new wealth like Gatsby.
What is the significance of Gatsby’s parties?
They symbolise the excess of the Jazz Age and his hope to attract Daisy.
Why is the novel set in the 1920s?
To critique the hedonism, materialism, and moral decay of the era.
How does Gatsby’s death reflect the novel’s themes?
His death symbolizes the futility of the American Dream and the destructiveness of obsession.
What is the importance of the novel’s title?
It highlights Gatsby’s constructed image and suggests irony about his true nature.
How does Nick’s relationship with Gatsby evolve?
He moves from skepticism to admiration, ultimately seeing Gatsby as a tragic hero.
