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The Great Gatsby

 

            Choose a novel which explores in an effective way a theme which is important to you.
             Explain how the novelist introduces and develops the theme and show to what extent he or she has effectively engaged your interest in it. In your answer you must refer closely to the text and at least two of: theme, structure, setting, symbolism or any other appropriate feature.
             Set in 1920's America - pre stock market crash - in the rich suburbs of New York known as East and West Egg, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the positive and negative aspects of dreams. By analysing Fitzgerald's characterisation, setting and actions in the novel and determining how effectively applied these techniques are, it is possible to better understand this theme that has attracted my interest in the text. .
             Although later in the text it becomes apparent that Gatsby's dream can never be fulfilled, Fitzgerald is careful to underline the beneficial aspects of being dedicated to a dream, namely the purpose and motivation it brings to Gatsby's life. In the Great Gatsby, no character is flawless, and it is through these imperfections that Fitzgerald highlights the importance of dreams. Fitzgerald portrays the American "upper-class" (really just wealthy Americans, as there was no actual class system, money was all-powerful) as having no purpose in life, flitting from one social event to another with no real meaning:.
             "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths .
             among the whisperings and the champagne".
             The description of the party-goers as "moths" is effective as "moths" creates an image of an insect that is carefree and has no real function in life, it just travels where it likes in a relaxed manner not dissimilar to the guests that just turn up, enjoy the hospitality Gatsby offers and leave. Gatsby however, does not fall into this stereotype. Since the day he met "Daisy Fay" he has dreamed that she would be his, and this relentless drive has shaped his life ever since.


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