The novel was published in 1925:

• Jazz age
• Right after WW I
• Before the great depression
• 60 years after the American civil wars
• America was about to find its identity
• The boom of Hollywood

The idea of a great American novel: 

• New nation, new continent -> Americans though it lacks the depth of culture
• Cultural roots and inspiration found in Europe

Original title: ‘Trimalchio in West Egg’:

• A passing reference to Trimalchio in chapter 7
• Trimalchio: a figure in the Satyricon written by Petronius (richest man in town, taking the greatest parties, staging his own funeral before dying to make sure it’s grand)
• satire is used: to represent something about the age in a certain way, it gives a certain style to a novel

What is the novel about? 

Who is the novel about?

Who is the Great Gatsby?

Who calls him the Great Gatsby?

Some of the main themes: 

• The lost paradise, the lost love, the lost beauty -> LOSS
• Money: it makes class in America

1. West Egg: new money ( Gatsby is here, but wants to be aristocratic with old money)
2. East Egg: old money

• Ambition
• Aspiration: THE KEY!!

The novel is full of contradictions -> the novel talks about the contradictions of society

*notes made based on this video