Introduction
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a novel that explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. In this work, Fitzgerald utilizes a unique narrative style and a specific structure to effectively convey his message. This essay discusses the novel’s thematic focus and narrative techniques through the perspectives of three scholars: Kenneth Eble, Barbara Will, and John Callahan.
The Structure and Themes of The Great Gatsby
Kenneth Eble points out in his review of the book, Fitzgerald’s first edition seldom connected chapters and parts; the novel was written but not in any specific sequence (Eble 37). Fitzgerald structured his work and deliberately scheduled events to communicate his message. He seldom omitted anything significant during the review of his first edition and so made a point of placing all events in their proper contexts (Eble 39). He uses the two parties at the home of home Gatsby to demonstrate Fitzgerald’s command of the “scenic technique,” which is as fascinating as examples of how he worked.
The primary objective of the party held first was to establish the correct environment. Though Gatsby initially appears in the part, it is a world by Gatsby that sparkles the much in front of the eyes (Eble 45). As it develops in the draft, the party reflects a variety of goals abandoned by Fitzgerald when he discovered the possibility of incorporating them into the novel’s greater scheme.
Initially, whether motivated by strong emotions or in reaction to reader expectations, he made a point of emphasizing the wild and scandalous lifestyles led by many of Gatsby’s visitors. Addiction to drugs seemed to be widespread, and even more, terrible wrongs were hinted at (Eble 40). Additionally, a considerable bit of undergraduate party talk was omitted from the manuscript. What the novel’s reader now recalls are what Fitzgerald drew to clear focus by excluding the extraneous trimmings (Eble 42). After the party scene was removed and revised, about all that left was the physical presence of Gatsby in the book and the magnificent scene of Owl-Eyes in Gatsby’s towering Gothic library.
According to Barbra Will’s literary critique, Gatsby met his object of passion, Daisy (Will 125). To highlight this point, Fitzgerald adds, “He had never stopped staring at Daisy, and I believe he revalued everything in his home according to the reaction it evoked from her well-loved eyes” (Fitzgerald 91). He is profoundly captivated by her manner of life in the book. He would go to any length to satisfy her and aims to expunge whatever that does not impress (Will 140). Gatsby’s whole universe revolved around this perfect lady that Daisy is. Every man’s passion is directed toward her. She embodied the ideal lifestyle, looks, and money, which attracted both males and those in quest of the American Dream (Will 143).
According to John Callahan’s literary assessment, Daisy is just concerned with her own happiness throughout the story and is unconcerned about anyone else (Callahan 387). This is seen in multiple instances, including the death of Myrtle, who was just in her way, and Gatsby, who acted purely as her plaything (Callahan 380). He had no significance for her. That is why on the morning Daisy was to be notified of her lover’s death, Fitzgerald writes, “But she [Daisy] and Tom had left early that afternoon, carrying suitcases” (Fitzgerald 164). Daisy might easily have swayed her husband’s decision to attend the burial (Callahan 380). Due to her self-centered, high-society attitudes, she and Tom were able just to pack up and leave following. The American dream becomes much more inextricably linked to the need to reconcile public and individual pursuits of pleasure than in any of Fitzgerald’s prior works (Callahan 380). According to John Callahan, late in life, Fitzgerald stated that The American narrative “is the history of all aspiration—not just the American dream, but the human ambition (Callahan 380).” Thus, Fitzgerald’s narrative was his interpretation of a deeply personal and national dream.
Conclusion
Based on the opinion of the three works done to critique Fitzgerald’s work, it is evident that the authors acknowledge that Fitzgerald has mastered the skills of narration together with a logical presentation of events in his works. Indeed, Fitzgerald skillfully aligned every event in his text to the goal of achieving the American Dream that was witnessed in characters’ hearts. Thus, effectively communicating to his audience.
Works Cited:
Callahan, John F. “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s evolving American Dream: the” pursuit of happiness” in Gatsby, Tender is the Night, and The Last Tycoon.” Twentieth Century Literature 42.3 (1996): 374-395.
Eble, Kenneth. “The Great Gatsby.” College Literature 1.1 (1974): 34-47.
Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby (1925). na, 1991.
Will, Barbara. “” The Great Gatsby” and the Obscene Word.” College Literature (2005): 125-144.