Shadow, Anima, and Animus in The Great Gatsby

SHADOW

Hidden or unconscious aspects of oneself, both good and bad, which the ego has either repressed or never recognized.

ANIMA

The female aspect present in the collective unconscious of men, personified as a girl, witch, mother, or protective spirit.

ANIMUS

The male aspect present in the collective unconscious of women, personified as a wise old man, sorcerer, or father figure.

Obsessive Idealism

Gatsby’s romantic idealization of Daisy, driving him to fabricate his identity and amass wealth through dubious means.

Dishonesty

Gatsby's lies about his past and wealth, claiming to be an 'Oxford man' despite building his fortune through illegal activities.

Selfishness (Daisy Buchanan)

Daisy is drawn to Gatsby’s wealth but lacks the courage to leave Tom for him, valuing comfort over genuine love.

Moral Cowardice

Daisy’s avoidance of responsibility after Gatsby's death, retreating into her marriage with Tom.

Arrogance and Entitlement (Tom Buchanan)

Tom's embodiment of old-money wealth, looking down on others and asserting his superiority.

Materialism and Ambition (Myrtle Wilson)

Myrtle's willingness to betray her husband for the wealth she believes Tom can provide.

Despair and Obsession (George Wilson)

George's transformation from meekness to a consuming desire for revenge following Myrtle’s death.

Materialism and the Pursuit of Wealth

A dominant theme in the novel, emphasizing how the focus on material possessions leads to emptiness.

Class Divisions and Inequality

The stark divisions between social classes, represented by East Egg, West Egg, and the valley of ashes.

Moral Decay and Lack of Responsibility

The engagement in deceit and manipulation by characters without facing meaningful consequences.

The Decline of the American Dream

A critique of how the American Dream has been corrupted by greed and superficial values.

The Ideal Woman (Daisy Buchanan)

Gatsby's idealization of Daisy as representing beauty, grace, and wealth, contrasting with her flaws in reality.

The Ideal Man (Jay Gatsby)

From various perspectives, Gatsby represents the ideal man through his devotion and wealth, yet is built on falsehood.

Illusions vs. Reality

The conflict between characters' ideals and actual realities, leading to disillusionment and tragedy.

Hedonism and Excess

The culture of excess during the 1920s, marked by Gatsby's lavish parties and characters' escapism through alcohol.