The Great Gatsby

The Pursuit of the American Dream: Jay Gatsby a self-made millionaire obsessively pursues the love of his past Daisy Buchanan. His lavish parties and extravagant lifestyle are all driven by the desire to recapture a lost love and achieve the idealized American Dream of wealth and happiness. Social Commentary: Set during the Roaring Twenties The Great Gatsby offers a critical look at the excesses and superficiality of the Jazz Age. Fitzgerald explores themes of social inequality the corrupting influence of wealth and the emptiness that often accompanies material success. The Illusion of Happiness: The novel portrays the illusion of happiness that pervades the lives of the wealthy. While they may appear to have it all many characters including Gatsby Daisy and Tom Buchanan are deeply unhappy and disillusioned. The Decline of the American Dream: Gatsby''s tragic downfall ultimately reveals the darker side of the American Dream. His pursuit of wealth and happiness leads to his destruction highlighting the dangers of obsession and the illusion of a perfect past. The Power of Memory: The novel explores the power of memory and its ability to both shape and distort our perceptions of the past. Gatsby''s idealized memory of Daisy fuels his relentless pursuit of her ultimately leading to his tragic demise.