Depiction of Social Issues in Scott F. Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby

The 1920’s was a decade that celebrated the end of World War I and was centralised around the prosperity of the economy and the individual. Scott F. Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ (1925) is at its core, a tragic love story that embodies society’s manifestation into materialism and consumerism; maintaining a secure spot within the literary canon. Throughout this novel, Fitzgerald explores and personifies key social issues; including the pursuit and downfall of the American Dream, social discrimination; and how both factors fed into the truths and illusions of society. Fitgerald’s personal experiences allowed him to successfully comment on the repercussions these issues had.

The American Dream is an ideology that represents a self-sufficient individual, with the work ethic to bring them financial stability and success. However, Fitzgerald explores the corruption of this dream through society’s manifestation into materialism, and the idolisation of a lavish, carefree lifestyle. In chapter 1, Nick Carraway meets Meyer Wolfsheim and is informed that “he’s a gambler.” When Nick questions “why isn’t he in jail?” Gatsby justifies his illegal activities by claiming “he’s a smart man.” The use of diction, specifically “smart man” emphasises the moral decay of society, as the accumulation of black money was justified by intelligence and strategy. It proves how the contamination of the American Dream was driven by society’s greed and failure to see beyond their idealistic lifestyle. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby’s participation in bootlegging to comment on the immoral behaviour society adopted. Furthermore, chapter 5 is suggestive that the American Dream should remain an ideal, rather than a reality. As Gatsby and Daisy stand on the balcony, he tells of her “green light that burns all night at the end of the dock,” however it then occurs to him that “the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever.” Johan Akkeson argues that the greenlight is symbolic of the failed American Dream; and that just like Daisy, the American Dream was more appealing when he was reaching for it, compared to the lack of satisfaction he received once he got it. In this moment, Gatsby is overcome with dissatisfaction and a sense of worthlessness as he realises he will never be able to recreate what he once had with Daisy. The “colossal significance” is suggestive that this unattainable reality he obsessed over and lost himself within, left him feeling empty. Overall, Fitzgerald comments on the corruption of the American Dream during a time of moral decay and the developed obsession with wealth.

The social class hierarchy during the 1920’s was a destructive social construct, comprised of those considered old money, nouveaux riche and lower class. These labels heightened the levels of social discrimination during the contemporary society, as individuals were left to contend with the inequality and lack of oppurtunity they inherited. This is investigated in chapter 2, as the driving factor behind Myrtle and George Wilson’s marriage was her desire to escape her social class, rather than love. Myrtle believed George “knew something about breeding” and “thought he was a gentleman.” Yet issues arose when she realised “he wasn’t fit to lick her shoe.” The use of this metaphor illustrated the strong desire of women in the 1920’s to marry rich and climb up the social hierarchy to pursue a more lavish lifestyle. Myrtle’s affair with Tom was driven by her desire for wealth, yet only allowed her to temporarily experience his opulent lifestyle. It shows how those in the lower class, entertained that idealistic lifestyle of extreme wealth, even with minimal exposure. Furthermore, Fitzgerald comments on the destructiveness of social classes and how it often led an individual to pursue an unfulfilling life. This is evident in chapter one, as Jordan Baker complains about being “stiff” from lying on the sofa for “as long as she can remember.” The use of hyperbole “as long as I can remember” explores how old aristocrats often lose sight of reality, leading to an unsustained sense of motivation and lack of aspirations. Rather than being productive or discussing possible business ventures, they choose to lie around all day and have everything done for them. Overall, Gatsby uses the stigma surrounding the lower class to comment on the prevalance of social discrimination during the 1920’s; as well as the pursuit of respect and financial comfortability.

“The Great Gatsby” is centralised around the idea of self reinvention and the transformation of one’s inherited identity to an idyllic illusion. In chapter 6, Gatsby and Nick engaged in a confrontational conversation where Nick exposes the harmful reality of Gatsby’s fixation with the past, suggesting that it is not possible to change; to which Gatsby promptly responded “Can’t change the past? Why of course you can!” Through the use of a belligerent tone, Fitzgerald is able to comment on Gatsby’s inability to move on. It suggests that he is afraid of the unknown and hopes to recreate what he once had with Daisy. The contrast of attendees at his parties and funeral debunk the illusion that he was well-sought after, when the reality was that he was lonely and unappreciated. Gatsby’s identity was the biggest illusion within the novel, as he attempted to mask his penurious beginnings as James Gatz by feeding into his idealistic version of himself; Jay Gatsby. Truth and illusion are further amplified in chapter 7, as Gatsby forces Daisy to declare her love for him in front of Tom, yet she is overcome with emotion and tells him that she “did love him once” but that she “loved him too.” The use of emotive language allows for the readers to sympathise with Daisy, as she feels conflicted about who she emotionally and materialistically loves. This risen conflict is an example of Freud’s psychoanalytic concept, the Oedipus complex. Both Tom and Gatsby were fighting for Daisy’s affection, however Gatsby’s obsession led him to oversee the reality. Everything he built was for Daisy, yet in the end she was unwilling to give up her stability to satisfy Gatsby’s illusion. Daisy herself was an illusion, her maiden name Fay was suggestive that she was divine, yet dangerous; and that any involvement with her often had consequences. Gatsby became a victim of his own illusion. Overall, the prevalence of illusion in “The Great Gatsby” demonstrates the lack of satisfaction within a person during the 1920’s due to the great importance of wealth and status.

In essence, it is clear that the use of the 1920’s setting allowed Fitgerald to comment on key social issues of the decade; such as the pursuit and downfall of the American Dream, social discrimination and truth and illusion. After exploring the content of dialogue in chapter 1, it is evident that America’s obsession with wealth and status corrupted a dream built on hard work. Similarly, the content of dialogue in chapter 2 unmasks how Myrtle’s desire to escape social discrmination motivated her affair with Tom. Additionally, in chapter 6, the illusion of Gatsby’s identity allows Fitzgerald to comment on the moral decay and heightened value of status in the 1920’s. Overall, Fitgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” comments on the social issues during a decade known for its celebratory nature, exposing the flaws in society and the individual.