The Roaring Twenties was a time of exuberance like none other, where people and America’s society focused on self-indulgence and happiness like never before. The Great Gatsby, written by F, Scott Fitzgerald, is the ideal portrayal to this time era. In a time shortly after war, this novel captures the audience, forcing them to participate in the setting and with the characters. Jay Gatsby, the focal point of this novel, is used as a representation of this era in American history and as an example of the pursuit of the American Dream.
Fitzgerald uses vivid diction that captivates the reader and his symbolism creates a lasting universal impression for all who pick up the novel Throughout the following, I will use Fitzgerald diction, symbolism, and themes to criticize this novel through descriptive, interpretive, and evaluative criticism. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, American’s are guaranteed certain unalienable rights, among them are “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit Of Happiness. ” Since the beginning of our wonderful country, it has been the American dream to pursue happiness, in Whichever form appeals to the person searching for it.
Jay Gatsby is the quintessential model off wealthy man during his age, undergoing his own pursuit Of happiness. Fitzgerald chooses not to simply write about this character Jay Gatsby, but instead narrate his legacy through the eyes of Nick Caraway. Nick Caraway lives in the house next to Jay Gatsby, as he recently escaped from his Midwest lifestyle to the town of West Egg, New York using Nick as the narrator for this story, Fitzgerald is able to display exactly what the lives’ of Jay Gatsby and many other whimsical citizens were like from an outside point view.
In this work to art, Fitzgerald uses prominent symbols such as, the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes of Dirt. Cocklebur. These symbols allow the audience to truly participate in the literature, and decide for themselves exactly what Fitzgerald goal for these symbols to convey was. These symbols contribute to the two main themes brought to life in this novel, the representation of the American dream, and the hollowness of the upper class.
Despite the fact that this novel tells the story of a twisted love triangle, it is much more than that To the reader who analyzes the context, it is quite obvious that Fitzgerald portrays the decline in the American dream and abandons the pursuit of happiness. Instead of having Jay and the woman he loves come back together, Fitzgerald writes of a series of events that lead to the suicide Of Jay Gatsby. Along with that major theme, the book seeks to convey that the upper class during the Roaring Twenties was desolate and truly unhappy.
Perhaps Fitzgerald was aiming to convey that money cannot buy true happiness, or perhaps not, that is for the reader to decide for themselves. Overall, Fitzgerald uses vivid diction, symbols, and themes to bring his opinions and views to life throughout this novel. By using interpretive criticism, a work of art can be brought to life and ransomed from subject matter into content, The Great Gatsby is an excellent example of exactly how subject matter is brought to life through the use of Fitzgerald literary devices On the outside, The Great Gatsby is an eye-opening love story full of betrayal and scandalous actions.
However, fifth audience digs down deeper into the literature, this book contains themes and life lessons far more powerful than the love triangle that is obviously displayed. After reading this famous novel, the reader Will walk away With a brand new insight on an important era of American history and a new perspective of how far is too far n the pursuit Of happiness. Through the character Of Jay Gatsby, the fact that happiness cannot be purchased is evident. A man like Jay, who just arrived back to his mansion from war, flooding with money and bivalve, is perhaps the unhappiest character in the entire novel.
In the end it is proven, that the money is not what Mr… Gatsby was living for, but instead he was living for the heart of beautiful Daisy Buchanan. After many attempts to impress the married Daisy, and after the otherwise preventable death of Myrtle Wilson, Jay Gatsby decides to take his own life after giving up all hope. This ending proves that if someone earaches for happiness in all of the wrong places, it will only result in a elite to misery, uncertainty, and regret, Through the use of evaluative criticism, it can be depicted that this novel deserves any and all positive recognition given to it.
This hook can transform the lives of many by displaying the importance of where happiness will truly come from, A lasting impression on the reader is created by this book because it relates to a universal theme that can open the eyes of the reader, despite who they are This piece of literature is reviewed so highly that, after eighty-eight years, it has been produced in another form of art, film. The movie, The Great Gatsby, based on Fitzgerald novel, is to premiere on May 10, 2013. Many are excited to see exactly how the legacy of this novel will be portrayed through film.
This movie Will open up many new Windows on ways to criticize this Story, and possibly even more themes and symbols than originally recognized through the reading Of the literature. Overall, this book deserves any credit that it has been given over the years, a story with such a lasting impression and good representation of American history should be highly praised. Through the works of Fitzgerald diction, symbolism, and themes, The Great Gatsby can be artistically criticized through the use of descriptive, interpretive, and evaluative criticism.
In the face of increasing materialism, this book captures the essence of the importance of seeking true happiness. In this jazz-age search for the American dream, Fitzgerald proves what is most important in life through the creative use to a love triangle and a series of events unlike any other. Fitzgerald validates that whether happiness is found in a person, a higher power, or the participation in something someone truly loves, everyone has their own idea of happiness, they simply need to search for it in the correct places.
