Great Gatsby Themes

Question 1

Love in the Great Gatsby?

Answer 1

• lack of family/paternal love
• Fitzgerald explores different kinds of love
• Friendships are presented as being shallow
• Love based off materials
• Love and relationships are a source of conflict

Question 2

The Past/ Time in the Great Gatsby?

Answer 2

• A great proportion of the text is made up of reference to the past
• Gatsby is obsessed with repeating the past
• Examples of foreshadowing (the future) e.g. Owl eyes predicting another car crash in chapter 3
• Symbolism of danger of repeating the past as Gatsby nearly breaks the clock
• Aim to repeat the past ultimately fails and has repercussions
• ‘You can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!’

Question 3

Vison and Insight in the Great Gatsby?

Answer 3

• Appearance vs reality
• Owl eyes vision into the future (car crash)
• owl eyes seeing through Gatsby’s facade (‘regular fiasco’
• T.J Eckleburg
• Nicks perspective might be biased as he idolizes Gatsby