Of Wanderings & Such: Themes and Styles of the Great Gatsby

February 08, 2005

Themes and Styles of the Great Gatsby

"We heard it from three people, so it must be true." Daisy, 9.

The quote above quite possibly describes the attitude of the characters in a nutshell. It also reflects a number of recurring themes, often found in Fitzgerald's work. I'm almost certain that The Great Gatsby is a huge social statement made by Fitzgerald against upper crust society by way of satire. For one, as Gatsby's character slowly unfurls in the book, the word "Great" in the title seems ironic. Thus far into the book, Gatsby is just as human as the next person, just as equally given to vanity as everyone else. Is that what makes literature great? It's ability to connect with the human spirit at a personal level? This isn't necessarily a rhetorical question, but I do digress. However, might I add that the imagery is absolutely dynamite. I can see, smell, feel, touch, and taste this world of fantasy that Fitzgerald builds for us.

Anyway, the themes that I've noticed so far:

Fitzgerald's flair and need for drama. I noticed this with Bernice Bobs Her Hair as well. If there aren't women swooning over men, then there's a point of revelation in the story where everything either comes together or falls apart. To answer my own question, it's probably so he could come up with a story that people would want to read. After all, who wants to be a starving writer?

His focus on upper crust society. It does remind me of the very visible class divide that exists in America (and the rest of the world), but it seems to me that Fitzgerald prefers to stay within his comfort zone, and write about what he knows. Incidentally, this is a rule of thumb with writers. If you want a good story, find one that doesn't fall too far from home. However, I do wish that there was an element of risk with his work.

I might as well play the devil's advocate. Granted that he does write about the wealthy class, but he usually brings to light their excess and waste, the hypocricy, and the impression of social norms and cultural conventions on people. I find it interesting that the Great Gatsby has to buy his way into people's hearts, and more often than not, they're people he doesn't know. All this just to find his way back to Daisy. Ya think he coulda just said "Hello"?

While we're at it, lets talk about another technique of his. The manipulative nature of either the protagonist, or the very trusty sidekick. The only reason Gatsby invited Nick over to one his parties was to find a way to meet Daisy again. I'm just surprised he admits it.

So why do I focus on "literariness" and "style"? Because I'm taking two other Literature classes this semester that focus on the two topics above. Also, because I'd like to see literature being talked about in a human sense, along with absorbing an instinct to recognize good writing. I'm a poet, so I focus on imagery. That doesn't mean I'm an expert at it - that just means that I want to learn how to improve my writing. Besides, it's a different take on the traditional means of analyzing literature, i.e. talking it to death. So what'd y'all think?

P.S. - Why is it that blog posts look so darned long only when you're drafting them?

Posted by NehaBawa at February 8, 2005 09:47 PM

Comments

"However, I do wish that there was an element of risk with his work."

This novel, if I recall correctly, WAS a risk, he put a lot of faith into it, and it failed.

Posted by: Tim Traini at February 8, 2005 10:27 PM

I agree that Gatsby is just a human. That's why he needed Daisy.

Posted by: Mina Sato at February 8, 2005 11:43 PM

The divide between the classes in America is incredible. It blows my mind any time I think about it....yet nothing ever happens great enough to soften the harsh divide dramatically. It's a shame.

Great entry, you definitely put a lot of thought into your different takes on the story and that's very important. Open mindedness is a beautiful thing!

Posted by: storm at February 9, 2005 02:19 PM

I think that you are dead on about this book as satire of the wealthy classes (old and new money). Plus, Fitzgerald's characterizations remind me,and I'm guessing everybody else,of people I've known who are all those deceitful qualities. That's why I like the book--as a work of art it reflects some truth about the world. Your blog really catches the sense of what F is doing.

Posted by: Jim Stutzman at February 9, 2005 03:15 PM

Tim, I was thinking in terms of theme as far as as risk goes. Everytime I read Fitzgerald, it seems like he found his niche and just stayed there. Not to say that he wasn't a good author, but variety would be nice.

Mina, Gatsby's character reminds me of a saying thats very close to my heart. At the end of the day, all we can hope for it to be better than ourselves.

Storm, the class divide is definitely visible. Once, while walking through NYC, I noticed high end boutiques and stores alternating with broken back alleys and slum-like conditions. I have a hard time controlling myself everytime people in America deny its existence. How can they miss it?

Jim, great point about the book reflecting an honest world view. But like you said, you probably like it because it connects with your own personal life and the people you've met.

Thanks for stoppin' by y'all.

Posted by: Neha at February 9, 2005 04:07 PM

I thought that it seemed like F.Scott Fitzgerald just has something against woman. Why is it in everyone of his stories, woman are made out to be these nasty little pests, that only think about guys as well as fight over them, and he makes them say the stupidest things, its like he is trying to say that woman cannot speak intelligently, but maybe thats just me.

Posted by: Sue at February 9, 2005 05:05 PM

In reaction to your saying that Gatsby is just as human as everyone else-
I wanted to add some thought on that. In the beginning of the story, Gatsby is a mystery man. Every one loves to read about a mystery, and best of all we enjoy ‘cracking’ the mystery. Part of our human nature? Who knows? The rumors about Gatsby is what makes him to be this 'bigger than life' guy; this Great person. The prestige, publicity, adoration, and over all 'awe' about a person really develops from the people around the individual. Who wouldn't want to know about a guy who, possibly killed someone, who might be in the illegal drug industry, and who throws these elaborate parties for anyone who can attend. It certainly peaks my interest, and I guess if I had to use an adjective to describe someone of that stature, 'Great' might be the word to use.
However, playing off of your idea of Fitzgerald using satire in his stories, this title of 'Great' may just be another example.

Posted by: Kristen Zappalla at February 9, 2005 06:31 PM

Neha, I am reminded of something you said in class, our second I believe. One of the differences between the story and the movie version of Bernice Bobs Her Hair is that the snobbery of the rich comes out more fully in the textual version. Your example was Warren’s casual attendance at Yale. I certainly see this rich snobbery pointed out in this story as well. It’s as if these rich people have nothing better to do than go from party to party and trade the latest gossip. Wahooo... that’s the life for me…not! In response to Tim’s comment on your blog, you indicated that Fitzgerald had sort of found his niche in writing, and I’m curious if in every story he wrote he pointed out similar vices of the rich. Fitzgerald, himself, went to Princeton which make me wonder if his circles were the same people that he writes about (perhaps this is why he writes them so well) or if he had just come into contact with many and knew how to portray the rich in ways that his readers could relate to.

Posted by: John Haddad at February 9, 2005 08:27 PM

Good observation Sue. I'm not sure if it was personal vendetta against women, but he sure was a darned good author if he could, and still can, get readers to react a different way every single time his work is read.

Kristen, you're right. Life in the fast lane has an element of danger and excitement involved that's very tempting. As I like to think sometimes, it's all about the chase.

John, I tried reading another book by Fitzgerald earlier, titled This Side of Paradise. I couldn't get through it, but it was based on a similar theme. Almost every action of the characters was taken to maintain a status in society. Good author or not, the same theme does get tiring after a while, no?

Posted by: Neha at February 10, 2005 10:08 AM