Major themes
CLASS: In The Great Gatsby's affluent society, social class significantly influences various aspects of life, particularly in matters of love. Myrtle illustrates this point in reference to her husband, George, whom she initially perceived as possessing superior "breeding" and, consequently, better prospects. She expresses her disappointment, stating, "I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe." Similarly, Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy is intricately connected to class. Only after accumulating considerable wealth does, he feel empowered to pursue her. As the story concludes, the dynamics of social class determine the fate of marriages Tom and Daisy's survive, George and Myrtle's are destroyed, and Gatsby and Daisy's never materialize. The most prosperous couple, Tom and Daisy, emerge unscathed from the unfolding events, and the tragic accident may have even strengthened their bond. Nick observes them clandestinely and notes, "there was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together." Due to their privileged class status, Tom and Daisy harbor a belief that they are immune to facing consequences for their actions. In the final chapter, Nick labels them as "careless people" who "smashed up things and... let other people clean up the mess they had made."
THE AMERICAN DREAM: The American Dream is a set of common ideas that guide the spirit of America. These common beliefs include a concept of freedom that guarantees all Americans the opportunity for upward social mobility if they work for it. Every character in The Great Gatsby is inspired by the promise of wealth and prosperity offered by the American Dream. At the same time, the novel itself is a critique of the American Dream. Readers may come away from the narrative questioning if the American Dream is indeed feasible. Gatsby suffers the most from the American Dream's promise of social mobility. He spends his life believing that if he produces enough money and accumulates enough stuff, he would be able to transcend his lower-class origins and match Daisy and Tom. Despite his success in amassing fortune, Gatsby is never welcomed by the upper class. Gatsby's failure to achieve the American Dream implies that it is both an impossible and a foolish ambition.
THE HOLLOWNESS OF THE UPPER CLASS: One of the central themes explored in The Great Gatsby revolves around the social dynamics of wealth, particularly the distinctions and relationships between the newly affluent individuals of the 1920s and the established aristocracy of the nation's wealthiest families. The novel depicts West Egg and its inhabitants as representative of the recently wealthy, while East Egg, especially through characters like Daisy and Tom, symbolizes the old aristocracy. Fitzgerald portrays the newly rich as ostentatious, garish, and lacking in social graces and refinement. For instance, Gatsby resides in an excessively ornate mansion, wears a flamboyant pink suit, drives a Rolls-Royce, and fails to discern subtle social cues, such as the insincerity behind the Sloanes' lunch invitation.In contrast, the old aristocracy embodies grace, refinement, subtlety, and elegance, as seen in the tasteful home of the Buchanans and the elegant white dresses worn by Daisy and Jordan Baker. Despite their refined tastes, the East Eggers appear to lack compassion, revealing themselves as thoughtless and inconsiderate bullies who are insulated by the soothing influence of their wealth, allowing them to disregard the well-being of others. This stereotype is exemplified by the Buchanans, who, at the novel's conclusion, relocate to a distant house instead of attending Gatsby's funeral.