The Great Gatsby- Themes, Symbolism and Definitions Flashcards
West Egg
A part of New York that is known for it’s ‘new money’ and people that haven’t inherited the money from others- Gatsby and Nick.
East Egg
A part of New York known for ‘Old Money’, and if you live here you’re from a wealthy background, and have inherited the money from family etc.- Tom Buchanan
Valley Of Ashes
An are in New York which is home to the lower class, and very poor people. It’s visually dusty and dirty, and the prime example of how the upper class people of America at the time, treated the lower class poorer people. ‘wasteland of the 20th century’.
American Dream
Everyone from any background (in America), has equal opportunities for success, if they put their mind into and work hard for it.
Theme of Society and Class
There’s a huge divide between the rich and poor classes in Gatsby, and it’s almost like they’re on a different planet to the poor characters (Myrtle and George Wilson). But, this was the norm of society at the time, and how it was expected to be.
Theme of Money and Wealth
This theme is particularly exemplified through Gatsby, and even though he has all the money in the world, he still hasn’t got what he wants- Daisy. Also, this theme is shown through the character of Tom Buchanan, and how he doesn’t use his money for the correct reasons (to help others), instead he just spends it for pleasure. And also that money doesn’t buy happiness, in Tom’s case, instead anger and arrogance.
Theme of Love (power of it)
Shown through Gaby’s extreme love for Daisy, and even though he’s rich and got all of the materialistic items in the world, his main intention is to find Daisy, and regain their strong connection, once and for all. Also, the contrast of Gatsby’s love for Daisy- and how he puts her on a pedestal, and Tom’s love for Daisy- Which is taken for granted and not cherished. And how Tom treats Daisy with disrespect and aggression.
Theme of Tragedy
Myrtle Wilson’s death- Dishonesty of Tom Buchanan, his ruthlessness and cruelness.
Gatsby’s death- Leads on from Tom’s dishonesty, as he blames it on Gatsby as it’s his car) and George Wilson comes for revenge and kills Gatsby whilst he’s in his pool.
Theme of Revenge
George Wilson avenging Myrtle’s death, by shooting Gatsby without hesitation. Shows the power of emotions, and the lover that he had for Myrtle (even if she was extremely un-loyal to him).
Symbolism 1- Green Light
The ‘green light’ on Daisy’s dock symbolises the Gatsby’s own personal dreams, and his motivation and drive that there is a light at the end of the tunnel- to find Daisy, and fall in love with her again. Links to Gatsby replicating the American Dream, and that there is hope and opportunity.
Symbolism 2- The Automobile (car)
Symbolises power, lack of control and aggression. Specifically, if you have money at the time and the power this brings. But, also on the other hand, the lack of control and that there was no sensible spending for the upper classes at the time.
Symbolism 3- Valley of Ashes (VOA)
Symbolises how the poor people in the 20th century were living in a ‘wasteland’ and dump, in comparison with the rich classes who has fancy mansions and parties every night. It exaggerates the divide between the rich and poor at the time, and that there wasn’t a middle ground.
Theme of Honesty (lack of it)
For most of the characters (except Nick and George Wilson) there’s a sense of dishonesty and lies in hiding ‘hidden truths’ and their true selves in order to gain something or achieve a task.
Examples of dishonesty and lies
Gatsby- Lies about going to Oxford, how he become the man he is and could be lying about where he actually gets his wealth from (dealings with Wolfsheim).
Tom- Lies and cheats on Daisy with Myrtle who he has an apartment with.
Myrtle- Lies to George and hides the hidden truth about her and Tom’s relationship. Even though George cherishes theirs.
Tom, Daisy and Gatsby- All lie about who really killed Myrtle Wilson.
Context
In a time of depression and separation and the rich and poor classes of society, Fitzgerald wanted to explore the time after these depressing events (war etc) with the roaring 20s, boom, new jazz era and free flowing alcohol. However, he does show the lack of care and sympathy for the lower class characters (Myrtle and George Wilson), through the protagonist (Gatsby) and antagonist (Tom Buchanan).
