The Great Gatsby context

What is the American Dream in the context of The Great Gatsby?

The belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work — exposed by Fitzgerald as corrupted by materialism and class barriers.

How does the 1920s context shape the novel?

A decade of post-war excess, jazz, and moral decline — shown through the novel’s lavish parties and careless elite.

What is Prohibition and how does it relate to Gatsby?

The 1920–1933 alcohol ban led to bootlegging — Gatsby's wealth is implied to come from illegal alcohol sales.

How does class structure influence the story?

The novel shows rigid class divisions — old money (Tom, Daisy) vs new money (Gatsby) vs the working class (Wilson).

How are changing gender roles shown in the novel?

Women like Jordan and Daisy reflect shifting norms — balancing independence with societal expectations.

How is The Great Gatsby a modernist novel?

It reflects disillusionment, fragmented identity, and challenges to traditional values post-WWI.

What role does the city play in the novel?

New York represents moral freedom, temptation, and the chaotic pace of modern life.

How does Fitzgerald present moral decline in 1920s America?

Through carelessness, dishonesty, and the empty pursuit of pleasure by the rich.

How does Fitzgerald’s life influence the novel?

His own pursuit of wealth, love, and status — and eventual disillusionment — are mirrored in Gatsby’s story.

What do East Egg and West Egg symbolize?

East Egg = inherited wealth and snobbery; West Egg = self-made wealth and social ambition.