explain a theme in the great gatsby, multiple paragraphs
What theme do you want to explain?
Please post your answer here and someone may be able to critique it for you.
tragedy and the american dream
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/
http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/gatsby/
Please note that we don't do students' homework for them. Our tutors try to give you the information to help you complete your assignment on your own. Once YOU have come up with a response to YOUR questions, please re-post and let us know what you think. Then someone here will be happy to critique your work.
=)
You write the paragraphs...but you might think about this.
"Since he isn't "born" to the upper class, no matter how hard he works nor how much wealth he attains, he can't win. "
One of the main themes explored in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, is the tragic nature of the American Dream. Throughout the story, the characters strive to achieve their own versions of success, wealth, and happiness, only to be ultimately disappointed and disillusioned. The novel highlights the notion that the American Dream, often associated with the pursuit of wealth and social status, is ultimately flawed and can lead to tragic outcomes.
One way this theme is portrayed is through the character of Jay Gatsby himself. Gatsby, having come from a humble background, becomes determined to accumulate immense wealth and rise to the upper echelons of society. He believes that by achieving material success, he will be able to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. However, despite Gatsby's extravagant parties, his luxurious mansion, and his immense wealth, he is ultimately unable to attain true happiness or fulfill his dreams. The pursuit of wealth and the desire to be accepted by the upper class only leaves Gatsby empty and lonely, leading to his tragic downfall.
Another example of the tragic nature of the American Dream in the novel is witnessed through the character of Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle, married to a lower-class mechanic, longs for a life of luxury and glamour. She believes that by having an affair with Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and powerful man, she can escape her mundane life and attain the social status she desires. Yet, Myrtle's pursuit of the American Dream ultimately leads to her demise. Her affair with Tom only brings about destruction and tragedy, as she is killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Furthermore, the theme of tragedy and the American Dream is also explored through the emptiness and shallowness of the wealthy characters in the novel. Fitzgerald portrays the upper class as individuals who are obsessed with material wealth, social status, and superficial appearances. Despite their seemingly perfect lives, the members of the elite are shown to be discontented, disillusioned, and morally bankrupt.
In conclusion, The Great Gatsby delves into the theme of tragedy and the American Dream, showcasing how the pursuit of wealth, social status, and happiness can often lead to disappointment, disillusionment, and even tragedy. The novel serves as a critique of a society obsessed with materialism and the shallow pursuit of the American Dream, highlighting the flaws and ultimately tragic consequences that can arise from such pursuits.