the great gatsby reflection essay

The Great Gatsby Reflection Paper

The Great Gatsby is one of the most famous pieces of literature in the world. It explores the themes of the American dream, ethics and morals of the Roaring 20s, as well as the questions of love and loss. The Great Gatsby reaction paper below discusses these and more.

Reflection of the Great Gatsby – A Summary

Introduction.

Published in the mid-1920s, The Great Gatsby is often said to be a reflection of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s era, dreams, and ambitions. The book tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an extravagant man whose only desire is to reunite with his first love, Daisy Buchanan. It is told from the perspective of his new friend, Nick Carraway. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit takes him from poverty to riches, and eventually leads him to his death.

The essay is a book reflection on the book Great Gatsby written by written by Scott Fitzgerald an American and published in April 1925. The story is during the happening of the First World War characterized by hard economic conditions. The novel works on various diverse levels, providing readers with memorable characters and events.

The story tells of an event involving major characters as Nick, Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, the Wilsons and Jordan. It involves individuals who are trying to rekindle their relationship. For instance, Gatsby tried to win back the love of Daisy although the later is married to Tom.

On the other hand, Tom has a mistress Myrtle who is married to George. The turning of events later led to the death of Myrtle who was hit by a car and the shooting of Gatsby by George Wilson after gathering information about the owner of the car that hit his wife. He also killed himself. Although Gatsby was reach and famous, his funeral arranged by Nick was attended by very few individuals (Fitzgerald, 43).

Great Gatsby: Reflection

Throughout the novel the major character Nick who was the narrator managed to bring out the main themes of the novel as well as developing other characters. Additionally, the manner with which he transformed or changed fascinated me.

The fact that Nick transformed throughout the novel made me like this skillful piece of art that was logically and artistically developed. The flow of sequence of events will always keep one at the edge of the seat trying to unravel what is the next chapter.

Concerning Nick transformation he initially seen as a man who hold high level of morals such integrity, honesty, trustworthy to mention but a few. However, when he tried fitting to his new friends’ lifestyle, for instance Tom and Jordan he losses his moral. For instance he accepted Jordan dishonesty “it made no difference to me. Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply-I was casually sorry, and then I forgot” (Fitzgerald, 125). The deeper Nick is drawn closely relating to his friends the less honest he turns out to be. At the end he is rebuked by Jordan for being just as dishonest and careless as the rest of group.

Additionally he chums around with Tom and Mrytle to suit their lifestyle.

Its is worth noting that Nick perception towards people has changed because he encounter individual who engage in adultery, hypocrisy, lying although he tried to fit with them but later sought to distance himself, this is depicted by this statement, “He [Gatsby] was clutching at some last hope and I couldn’t bare to shake him free.” (Fitzgerald, 195). This is probably an indication of Nick being tired of and ready to give up on friends who are not morally upright in the society.

Thus Nick in my humble opinion is the character I liked the most in this novel. The character who was least favourite was Gatsby. His acts of hosting parties with the desire that his former love will attend so that he rekindles the relationship and the manner with which he treated others was not good.

I would highly recommend the novel to individuals in high school, collages as well as those who are over the age of 16. The reasons for this rest on the idea that the novel has a lot of moral teachings and the author managed to bring out his ideas using simple English that can be easily understood. For this artist work, I would rate it 9 out of 10.

Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribners, 1925. Print.

• Short Summary
• Summary (Chapter 1)
• Summary (Chapter 2)
• Summary (Chapter 3)
• Summary (Chapter 4)
• Summary (Chapter 5)
• Summary (Chapter 6)
• Summary (Chapter 7)
• Summary (Chapter 8)
• Summary (Chapter 9)
• Symbolism & Style
• Quotes Explained
• Essay Topics
• Essay Samples
• Questions & Answers
• F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Biography
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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The Great Gatsby Reflection Essay

Reflection #1: Chapters 1-2 The author, Nick Carraway, states that he has very high moral standards and he has reserved all judgements so he does not misunderstand people and what they have gone through. The reader is introduced to Tom and Daisy Buchanan. The reader suggests Tom is a very successful man and has everything in life he could image, while Daisy is a very charming and pleasant young lady. Many people do not like Tom because he is arrogant and a cocky racist, and Daisy describes him as “a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking specimen.

The reader is first introduced to Gatsby, and the author describes his as “gorgeous” and connects him to the American Dream and new money. Nick rents a house in West Egg across the bay from East Egg and the reader suggests that the two have a rivalry: “old money” versus “new money. ” Gatsby’s mansion represents “new money,” while the clothes Tom wears presents “old money” because they are riding clothes. While leaving dinner, Nick sees Gatsby standing on the lawn for the first time and the reader suggests he is a hopeful dreamer.

While on the lawn, Gatsby is reaching out for something across the water and sees a green light, representing dreams. Nick states the West Egg and New York City dumping of ashes is called a “waste land” because the ashes cover everything, even those who live there. The ‘Valley of Ashes” represents the people who were left behind in the roaring twenties and is being watched by Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. While making a stop in the Valley of Ashes, Nick discovers Tom is having an affair on his wife with Mrs. Wilson.

The reader suggest Myrtle is having an affair on her husband because she wants to be something in life nd wants to be known, but her husband is poor so the only way she will be able to fulfill her dream is with Tom. While at the apartment where the affair takes place, Tom, Myrtle, Nick, and some friends get drunk and the reader suggests that getting drunk means “having fun” during the roaring twenties. While Myrtle begins to drink more and more, she starts talking about Daisy and Tom getting mad and hits her in the nose, breaking in. Tom’s actions show that he is ill tempered. Rumors begin to occur about Gatsby, and Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, thinks Gatsby is in a shady business.

Reflection #2: Chapters 3-4 The reader suggests that Gatsby puts a lot of effort into his parties, but most of his “new money” guest have never actually met him. Gatsby is a man who doesn’t seem to exist. Nick gets invited to one of the party and feels so out of place. The luxury of the party represents the happiness of the American Dream. Most of the people who attend the parties are not actually invited, they just show up. It is very suspicious because Gatsby never shows himself at his parties. While sitting outside watching the party, Nick and Gatsby recognize each other as being in the army together.

Gatsby smiles at Nick representing a mask, like the roaring twenties and the “fun” that went on during the time covering up what really went on. While talking with Gatsby, Nick realizes that Gatsby has other plans in life than having fun and making money. The reader suggests that everyone who attends Gatsby’s parties are just using him for his hospitality. While driving to the city for lunch, Gatsby tells Nick a story that doesn’t seem to all be true, and that Gatsby didn’t grow up the way he states, but instead gave himself a new identity. It is like Gatsby had to forget the past to be able to succeed in life and become rich.

Gatsby is a man who has higher authority over the law and police, for example, while driving down the road, Gatsby got pulled over for speeding but shows the police a card and he lets him go; Gatsby represents celebrity. Nick begins to believe Gatsby is involved in a great crime after meeting with Gatsby’s business partner, Wolfsheim. Gatsby and Wolfsheim’s connect represents the downfall of the American Dream and the Roaring Twenties. While Gatsby was stationed in Louisville, he met Daisy and fell in love with her, but her parents didn’t allow them the get married.

A year later, Tom and Daisy got married, but a day before Daisy married Tom, she got drunk and cried while holding a letter. The reader suggests that the letter was for Gatsby. Gatsby has never fallen out of love with Daisy, but Daisy chose money over love. Gatsby made himself rich to try and get Daisy back. The mansion Gatsby bought was to impress Daisy in order to try and win her back. The author then states that when Gatsby goes to the bay, he stares of the green like because it is the end of Daisy’s dock. Gatsby house represents “new money,” while Daisy’s house across the bay represents “old money.

Reflection #3: Chapters 5-6 Gatsby invites Nick to swim, but really just wants to use him to set up a meeting with Daisy. The reader suggest that Gatsby is trying to pursue Nick to set up the meeting with money. Gatsby believes that with money, he will be able to achieve his dream and win Daisy back. Nick is offended by Gatsby’s offer of money, but goes along with it anyways. The reader suggests Gatsby doesn’t care about his friendship with Nick and just pays him off with money, he only cares about getting Daisy back.

On the day of the meeting, Gatsby knocks down a clock while Daisy is on her way inside representing the time he tries to regain with Daisy from the past. While on the tour of Gatsby’s mansion, Daisy has a breakdown showing she realizes Gatsby can give her the life she wants or that she is more in love with money, but she misses Gatsby after he tells her his love for her. The reader suggests that Gatsby is too caught up on the past to realize how much Daisy has changed. Once Gatsby has achieved his dream, he forgets about Nick, representing the “new money” values.

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Need to write about a theme for a Great Gatsby assignment or just curious about what exactly a theme is? Not sure where to start? Learn here what a theme is, what the main themes in The Great Gatsby are, and what the best tips for writing about themes for your English/Language Arts class essays are.

We will also link to our specific articles on each theme so you can learn even more in-depth about themes central to Gatsby .

What Is a Theme? Why Should You Care?

First things first: what exactly is a theme? In literature, a theme is a central topic a book deals with. This central topic is revealed through plot events, the actions and dialogue of the characters, and even the narrator's tone. Themes can be very broad, like love, money, or death, or more specific, like people versus technology, racial discrimination, or the American Dream.

In short, a book's theme can usually answer the question, "what's the point of this book?". They're the "so what?" of literary analysis. Also, note that books can definitely have more than one major theme —in Gatsby we identify seven!

Knowing a book's major theme(s) is crucial to writing essays, since many assignments want you to connect your argument to a book's theme. For example, you might be asked to write an essay about a prompt like this: "How does the life of Jay Gatsby exemplify (or deconstruct) the idea of the American Dream?" This prompt has you connect specific details in Jay Gatsby's life to the larger theme of the American Dream. This is why many teachers love theme essays: because they encourage you to connect small details to big ideas!

Furthermore, the AP English Literature test always has an essay question that has you analyze some aspect of a book and then "compare it to the theme of the work as a whole." (If you want specific examples you can access the last 15 years of AP English Literature free response questions here , using your College Board account.) So this skill won't just help you in your English classes, it will also help you pass the AP English Literature test if you're taking it!

So keep reading to learn about the major themes in Gatsby and how they are revealed in the book, and also to get links to our in-depth articles about each theme.

Overview of Key Themes in The Great Gatsby

Before we introduce our seven main themes, we'll briefly describe how the story and characters suggest the major Great Gatsby themes. Remember that the story is set in the 1920s, a period when America's economy was booming, and takes place in New York: specifically the wealthy Long Island towns of West Egg and East Egg, as well as Manhattan and Queens.

As you should know from the book ( check out our summary if you're still hazy on the details!), The Great Gatsby tells the story of James Gatz , a poor farm boy who manages to reinvent himself as the fabulously rich Jay Gatsby, only to be killed after an attempt to win over his old love Daisy Buchanan . Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan , and they're both from old money, causing them to look down Gatsby's newly rich crowd (and for Tom to look down at Gatsby himself).

Meanwhile, Tom is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson , the wife of mechanic George Wilson . Through the Wilsons, we see the struggles of the working class in dismal Queens , NY. As if they didn't already have it hard enough, Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident (caused by Daisy Buchanan), and George, who's manipulated by Tom to believe that Jay Gatsby was both his wife's lover and her murderer, ends up shooting Gatsby and then himself.

The whole story is told by Nick Carraway , a second cousin of Daisy's and classmate of Tom's who moves in next to Gatsby's mansion and eventually befriends Jay -- and then comes to deeply admire him, despite or perhaps because of Jay's fervent desire to repeat his past with Daisy. The tragic chain of events at the novel's climax, along with the fact that both the Buchanans can easily retreat from the damage they caused, causes Nick to become disillusioned with life in New York and retreat back to his hometown in the Midwest.

Aside from having a very unhappy ending, the novel might just ruin swimming pools for you as well.

The fact that the major characters come from three distinct class backgrounds (working class, newly rich, and old money) suggests that class is a major theme. But the rampant materialism and the sheer amount of money spent by Gatsby himself is a huge issue and its own theme. Related to money and class, the fact that both Gatsby and the Wilsons strive to improve their positions in American society, only to end up dead, also suggests that the American Dream -- and specifically its hollowness -- is a key theme in the book as well.

But there are other themes at play here, too. Every major character is involved in at least one romantic relationship , revealing that they are all driven by love, sex, and desire -- a major theme. Also, the rampant bad behavior (crime, cheating, and finally murder) and lack of real justice makes ethics and morality a key theme. Death also looms large over the novel's plot, alongside the threat of failure.

And finally, a strong undercurrent to all of these themes is identity itself: can James Gatz really become Jay Gatsby, or was he doomed from the start? Can someone who is not from old money ever blend in with that crowd? Could Gatsby really aspire to repeat his past with Daisy, or is that past self gone forever?

In short, just by looking at the novel's plot, characters, and ending, we can already get a strong sense of Gatsby's major themes. Let's now look at each of those themes one by one (and be sure to check out the links to our full theme breakdowns!).

The 7 Major Great Gatsby Themes

Money and Materialism : Everyone in the novel is money-obsessed, whether they were born with money (Tom, Daisy, Jordan, and Nick to a lesser extent), whether they made a fortune (Gatsby), or whether they're eager for more (Myrtle and George). So why are the characters so materialistic? How does their materialism affect their choices? Get a guide to each of the characters' material motivations and how they shape the novel.

Society and Class: Building on the money and materialism theme, the novel draws clear distinctions between the kind of money you have: old money (inherited) or new money (earned). And there is also a clear difference between the lifestyles of the wealthy, who live on Long Island and commute freely to Manhattan, and the working class people stuck in between, mired in Queens. By the end of the novel, our main characters who are not old money (Gatsby, Myrtle, and George) are all dead, while the inherited-money club is still alive. What does this say about class in Gatsby? Why is their society so rigidly classist? Learn more about the various social classes in Gatsby and how they affect the novel's outcome.

The American Dream : The American Dream is the idea anyone can make it in America (e.g. gain fame, fortune, and success) through enough hard work and determination. So is Jay Gatsby an example of the dream? Or does his involvement in crime suggest the Dream isn't actually real? And where does this leave the Wilsons, who are also eager to improve their lot in life but don't make it out of the novel alive? Finally, do the closing pages of the novel endorse the American Dream or write it off as a fantasy? Learn what the American Dream is and how the novel sometimes believes in it, and sometimes sees it as a reckless fantasy.

Love, Desire, and Relationships : All of the major characters are driven by love, desire, or both, but only Tom and Daisy's marriage lasts out of the novel's five major relationships and affairs. So is love an inherently unstable force? Or do the characters just experience it in the wrong way? Get an in-depth guide to each of Gatsby's major relationships.

Death and Failure: Nick narrates Gatsby two years after the events in question, and since he's obviously aware of the tragedy awaiting not only Gatsby but Myrtle and George as well, the novel has a sad, reflective, even mournful tone. Is the novel saying that ambition is inherently dangerous (especially in a classist society like 1920s America), or is it more concerned with the danger of Gatsby's intense desire to reclaim the past? Explore those questions here.

Morality and Ethics: The novel is full of bad behavior: lying, cheating, physical abuse, crime, and finally murder. Yet none of the characters ever answer to the law, and God is only mentioned as an exclamation, or briefly projected onto an advertisement . Does the novel push for the need to fix this lack of morality, or does it accept it as the normal state of affairs in the "wild, wild East"?

The Mutability of Identity: Mutability just means "subject to change," so this theme is about how changeable (or not!) personal identity is. Do people really change? Or are our past selves always with us? And how would this shape our desire to reclaim parts of our past? Gatsby wants to have it both ways: to change himself from James Gatz into the sophisticated, wealthy Jay Gatsby, but also to preserve his past with Daisy. Does he fail because it's impossible to change? Because it's impossible to repeat the past? Or both?

How to Write About The Great Gatsby Themes

So now that you know about the major themes of The Great Gatsby , how can you go about writing about them? First up: look closely at your prompt.

Sometimes an essay prompt will come right out and ask you to write about a theme , for example "is The American Dream in Gatsby alive or dead?" or "Write about the relationships in Gatsby. What is the novel saying about the nature of love and desire?" For those essays, you will obviously be writing about one of the novel's major themes. But even though those prompts have big-picture questions, make sure to find small supporting details to help make your argument.

For example, if you're discussing the American Dream and arguing it's dead in the novel, don't just make that claim and be done with it. Instead, you can explore Gatsby's past as James Gatz, George Wilson's exhausted complacency, and Myrtle's treatment at the hands of Tom as examples of how the American Dream is treated in the novel. Obviously those examples are far from exhaustive, but hopefully you get the idea: find smaller details to support the larger argument.

On the other hand, many essay prompts about Gatsby will look like a question about something specific, like a character or symbol:

• Explore Tom and Daisy as people who 'retreat into their money.'
• What does the green light at the end of Daisy's dock represent? How does its meaning change throughout the novel?
• Show how Fitzgerald uses clothing (and the changing of costumes) to tell the reader more about the characters and/or express theme(s).

These prompts are actually a chance for you to take that detailed analysis and connect it to one of the larger themes—in other words, even though the prompt doesn't state it explicitly, you should still be connecting those more focused topics to one of the big-picture themes.

For example, if you talk about Tom and Daisy Buchanan, you will definitely end up talking about society and class. If you talk about the green light, you will end up talking about dreams and goals, specifically the American Dream. And if you discuss clothing to talk about the characters, you will definitely touch on money and materialism, as well as society and class (like how Gatsby's pink suit makes him stand out as new money to Tom Buchanan, or how Myrtle adopts a different dress to play at being wealthy and sophisticated).

In short, for these more specific prompts, you start from the ground (small details and observations) and build up to discussing the larger themes, even if the prompt doesn't say to do so explicitly!

What's Next?

Now you're an expert on themes, but what about symbols? If you need to write about the important symbols in The Great Gatsby, check out our symbols overview for a complete guide.

Want a full analysis of Jay Gatsby and his backstory? Not sure how his story connects with the American Dream? Get the details here .

Want to go back to square one? Get started with Chapter 1 of our Great Gatsby plot summary.

Halle Edwards graduated from Stanford University with honors. In high school, she earned 99th percentile ACT scores as well as 99th percentile scores on SAT subject tests. She also took nine AP classes, earning a perfect score of 5 on seven AP tests. As a graduate of a large public high school who tackled the college admission process largely on her own, she is passionate about helping high school students from different backgrounds get the knowledge they need to be successful in the college admissions process.

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Analyzing the Historical Context and Creation of ‘The Great Gatsby’

This essay about “The Great Gatsby” outlines the socio-historical context of its creation in 1925 and explores its thematic concerns. It discusses how the Roaring Twenties, characterized by stark social contrasts and cultural shifts, influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald during his writing process. Fitzgerald crafted a narrative steeped in the era’s opulence and moral questioning, set against the backdrop of Long Island. The essay examines key elements of the novel, including the symbolic use of the green light and the portrayal of the American Dream. Additionally, it considers the novel’s initial reception and its posthumous recognition as a cornerstone of American literature. The essay concludes by reflecting on the enduring relevance of Fitzgerald’s themes, such as identity, aspiration, and disillusionment.

How it works

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s magnum opus, “The Great Gatsby,” not only encapsulates the jazz-infused, tumultuous post-World War I era but also stands as a quintessential pillar of American literary tradition. Written in 1925, the novel offers a scintillating glimpse into the decadence, idealism, and social upheavals of the 1920s—often referred to as the Roaring Twenties. Understanding the context and the time during which Fitzgerald penned this masterpiece can enrich our appreciation of its themes and cultural commentary.

“The Great Gatsby” was conceived during a period of significant change and upheaval in American society.

The 1920s were marked by a distinctive shift towards mass consumerism, the rise of a new social elite, and a palpable disillusionment with the American Dream. Fitzgerald started the novel in 1923 after relocating to France, seeking a change of scenery to drive his inspiration. However, the bulk of his work on this novel took place in 1924, primarily at the Villa Marie in Cap d’Antibes on the French Riviera, a location that provided the necessary seclusion and ambiance for his creative processes.

The story’s setting in the fictional towns of West Egg and East Egg on Long Island paints a stark contrast between the newly rich and the aristocratic old money elites. Fitzgerald meticulously crafted his characters to reflect the varied nature of the American spirit at the time, from Gatsby’s ostentatious wealth—newly acquired and shrouded in mystery—to Daisy Buchanan’s insouciant charm and Tom Buchanan’s brutish arrogance. The novel’s narrative is driven by Nick Carraway, a character often considered Fitzgerald’s alter ego, who observes and narrates with a mix of fascination and repulsion.

The writing process of “The Great Gatsby” was, for Fitzgerald, fraught with personal challenges including a turbulent marriage and financial instability. Yet, it was these personal battles that infused the novel with its depth and complexity. The themes of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of happiness through material wealth reflect not just the societal norms of his time but also Fitzgerald’s personal conundrums.

Fitzgerald’s stylistic choices in the novel—marked by lyrical prose, vivid symbolism, and a keen eye for detail—help to construct a narrative arc that is both intimate and expansive. The symbol of the green light, which Gatsby gazes at across the bay, encapsulates the elusiveness of dreams and the perpetual human quest for what lies just out of reach. This symbol, alongside the tragic arc of Gatsby’s life, critiques the very foundation of the American Dream, highlighting the disparities between reality and aspiration.

When “The Great Gatsby” was first published in April of 1925, it received mixed reviews and was relatively overlooked compared to Fitzgerald’s earlier successes. It was only posthumously that the novel was recognized as a seminal work of American literature, with its sharp critique of American life in the 1920s and its complex portrayal of human desires and follies.

Today, the novel not only serves as a historical snapshot of a bygone era but also as a timeless meditation on the complexities of human emotion and the inherent flaws in chasing superficial dreams. Fitzgerald’s work remains relevant as it addresses themes of identity, class struggle, and the disillusionment that often comes with the blind pursuit of wealth and status.

In conclusion, “The Great Gatsby” remains a profound narrative achievement that offers insight into the American psyche of the 1920s and the personal intricacies of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life. Written during a time of personal and societal turmoil, Fitzgerald’s masterful composition invites readers to reflect on the costs of the American Dream and the eternal nature of human aspiration and disillusionment. Understanding the historical backdrop and the personal experiences that shaped Fitzgerald’s creation of “The Great Gatsby” not only enriches our understanding of the novel but also deepens our engagement with it as a critique of our own times.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Great Gatsby — Connection of Great Gatsby to the American Dream

Connection of Great Gatsby to The American Dream

• Categories: American Dream The Great Gatsby

About this sample

Words: 713 |

Published: Jan 29, 2024

Words: 713 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The foundation of the american dream, the pursuit of wealth as a measure of success, illusion versus reality in the american dream, the demise of the american dream.

• Scott, F. Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
• Trask, David F. The American Dream: A Cultural History. Rizzoli, 2012.
• Smith, Andrew F. “ The American Dream and the Power of Wealth in The Great Gatsby.” The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review, vol. 7, no. 1, 2009, pp. 49-64.

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