Idealism

• What is Fitzgerald’s critique of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby?

  A pessimistic critique of idealism
• How is the American Dream commonly defined?

  Belief that anyone can pursue goals
• What does the American Dream promote about social mobility?

  It promotes meritocracy through hard work
• What does Fitzgerald suggest about the reality of the American Dream?

  It obscures the true class divisions in America
• When did the American Dream ideology gain momentum?

  After the First World War
• What does the Valley of Ashes represent in The Great Gatsby?

  A symbol of social decay and poverty
• How does Fitzgerald depict the different classes in The Great Gatsby?

  Through settings like West Egg and East Egg
• What does Nick's statement about a "new world, material without being real" imply?

  It reflects the emptiness of materialism
• Who is referred to as the Lost Generation in the 1920s?

  Disoriented individuals post-World War I
• How does Fitzgerald portray Gatsby's character in relation to the American Dream?

  As a symbol of its rise and fall
• What does Gatsby's transformation from James Gatz signify?

  Success of the American Dream's ideals
• What does Tom Buchanan's incredulity about Gatsby's background reveal?

  Class prejudice against 'new money'
• How does George Wilson's character contrast with Gatsby's?

  He represents the failure of the American Dream
• What does Myrtle's relationship with Tom illustrate about the American Dream?

  It commodifies individuals for social ascent
• What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize in relation to the American Dream?

  Impossibility of achieving the Dream
• How does Fitzgerald describe the Valley of Ashes?

  A fantastic farm where ashes grow
• What does the River Styx allusion suggest about the Valley of Ashes' inhabitants?

  They are spiritually dead despite being alive
• How does Fitzgerald contrast the lifestyles of the rich and the poor?

  Through vivid descriptions of settings
• What does Nick's role as an unreliable narrator imply?

  He complicates the moral landscape of the story
• How does Daisy's character evolve throughout the novel?

  Her wealth becomes her main attraction
• What does Gatsby's "castle" symbolize in relation to the American Dream?

  Wealth built on the fantasy of the Dream
• Who are considered the antithesis of the American Dream?

  Tom, Daisy, and Jordan
• What does Fitzgerald suggest about the attainability of the American Dream?

  It is ultimately unattainable for most
• How does the setting of the Valley of Ashes reflect social inequality?

  It embodies the plight of the poor
• What are the key themes explored in The Great Gatsby regarding the American Dream?

  • Pessimism about idealism
  • Social inequality and class divisions
  • The emptiness of materialism
  • The corrupting influence of wealth
  • The unattainability of the American Dream
• How do different characters in The Great Gatsby embody various aspects of the American Dream?

  • Gatsby: Represents the rise and fall of the Dream
  • Myrtle: Pursues the Dream through relationships
  • Wilson: Illustrates the failure of the Dream
  • Tom and Daisy: Embody the elite class's privilege
• What does Fitzgerald's portrayal of the Roaring Twenties reveal about American society?

  • A focus on wealth and consumerism
  • A critique of moral decay
  • The illusion of social mobility
  • The disparity between rich and poor
• What literary techniques does Fitzgerald use to convey his message about the American Dream?

  • Symbolism (e.g., Valley of Ashes)
  • Characterization (e.g., Gatsby vs. Wilson)
  • Imagery (e.g., descriptions of settings)
  • Irony (e.g., the failure of the Dream)
• How does the setting of East Egg and West Egg contribute to the themes of The Great Gatsby?

  • East Egg: Represents old money and privilege
  • West Egg: Represents new money and aspiration
  • Contrast highlights class divisions
  • Reflects characters' social standings
• What role does Nick Carraway play in the narrative of The Great Gatsby?

  • Unreliable narrator
  • Observes and critiques society
  • Represents moral ambiguity
  • Connects various characters' stories
• How does Fitzgerald's use of color symbolism enhance the themes in The Great Gatsby?

  • Green: Hope and the unattainable Dream
  • White: Purity and false appearances
  • Grey: Despair and moral decay
  • Gold: Wealth and corruption
• What does the phrase "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" signify in the context of The Great Gatsby?

  • Critique of social inequality
  • Reflection of the American Dream's failure
  • Commentary on class struggles
  • Emphasis on the cyclical nature of wealth
• What literary theory emerged in the 1950s?

  Structuralist literary theory
• How does structuralist literary theory view character behavior?

  Within the context of larger social structures
• How does George's character relate to his setting?

  He matches the grey, purgatorial Valley
• What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize in contrast to Gatsby's lifestyle?

  Despair and hopelessness versus wealth
• What year was Baz Luhrmann's cinematic production of The Great Gatsby released?

  2013
• What do the atmospheric transitions in the film illustrate?

  Disparities between different social layers
• What does the green light at Daisy's dock symbolize?

  Wealth and unattainable dreams
• How does Gatsby's commitment to the American Dream affect him?

  It leads him to reach beyond his grasp