Interpreting "The Great Gatsby"

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how Fitzgerald in "The Great Gatsby" tells a story that can be read on two levels; either as a romantic, glamorous and exciting story, or as a story that is crude, corrupt, even disgusting. The paper explains how Fitzgerald intended to show that a dream based on the pursuit of wealth as an ultimate value may well turn out to be a nightmare. The paper shows how Fitzgerald makes a cutting moral indictment of American society.

From the Paper:

"Scott F. Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby is a wonderfully nuanced work which manages to tell a story in two ways at the same time. The story of the Great Gatsby may be read as the story of a great dreamer and lover - or it may be read as the tale of a deceitful, adulterous, villainous, outrageous and contemptible lowlife. It may be read as the story of a great yet star-crossed romance - and it may equally be read as a sordid tale of deception, adultery and selfishness. The parties which are a ubiquitous part of the social life at Gatsby's home may be seen as wonderful, exuberant celebrations of all that well-heeled society has to offer - or they may be perceived as the cynical abuse by upper class socialites of a lower class man who is struggling for acceptance."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Collier Books, 1992.

More papers on Interpreting "The Great Gatsby":

• Book Review # 150383 : "Unreliable Narration in "The Great Gatsby"
• Analytical Essay # 67893 : "Technicolor Fitzgerald"
• Analytical Essay # 117531 : "A Contemporary Review of "The Great Gatsby"

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