The Great Gatsby

Characters are defined by having old money or new money, even dividing what neighborhood they live in: East Egg or West Egg.

Jay Gatsby is only motivated by his love for Daisy Buchanan.

The American dream expounds that through hard-work anyone can find success and happiness. However, when Gatsby died, he eliminated this possibility for all the characters. Nick lost his ties with the elite, Daisy lost her opportunity to find true love, and ultimately Gatsby’s death ushered the death of the American dream.

Gatsby's parties were the hub for upper-class society. He throws huge weekly parties with many upper-class attendees, but has next-to-no friends; no one knows anything about him or how he came by his money and he does not seem inclined to share this information with anyone. It shows the shallowness of the upper-class and the fact that they are obsessed with wealth.

The American dream is about buying items that display wealth.

Throughout the novel, Nick was involved in suggestive scenes with both men and women but did not have a lasting romantic relationship with anyone. This serves as a nod to his journey in exploring his sexuality.

The death of Myrtle Wilson triggered other tragic events.

Gatsby started as a "penniless young man" then grew in wealth and society.

The Roaring Twenties was a time of wealth, glamour, and having a high social status.