Why is The Great Gatsby Tragic

• Who is the author of "The Great Gatsby"?

  1. F. Scott Fitzgerald
• What does "The Great Gatsby" examine about the American dream?

  It reveals the dark underbelly of aspiration
• What key paradox of human behavior does Gatsby expose?

  We desire what we cannot have
• What are two key reasons for Gatsby's tragic nature?

  His ignorance of true desires and misunderstanding of love
• What historical context is important for understanding "The Great Gatsby"?

  • The 1920s as an age of miracles and excess
  • The aftermath of World War I
  • America's rise as a global power
• How did World War I influence the 1920s in America?

  It exposed the fragility of human existence
• What term describes the lifestyle of the 1920s in America?

  Flapper era
• What does Fitzgerald mean by "nervous energy" in the context of the 1920s?

  It refers to the unspent energy from the war
• How does Gatsby's character reflect the social decay of the 1920s?

  He embodies victims of misguided dreams
• What does Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy symbolize?

  His desire for social validation and wealth
• What does Gatsby's mansion represent in the novel?

  His wealth and desire for acceptance
• How does Daisy's reaction to Gatsby's shirts illustrate her character?

  It shows her superficial values and materialism
• What does the scene of Daisy crying over the shirts reveal about her feelings?

  She recognizes Gatsby's desperation and emptiness
• How do Tom and Daisy's views on marriage differ from Gatsby's?

  They marry for necessity, not love
• What does Daisy's behavior on her wedding day suggest about her character?

  She feels trapped by societal expectations
• What does Gatsby fail to comprehend about love and marriage?

  He believes love is more important than wealth
• How does Fitzgerald contrast Gatsby's idealism with Tom and Daisy's reality?

  Gatsby is hopeful while they are complacent
• What does the imagery of the untouched food symbolize in the novel?

  It represents the staleness of Tom and Daisy's marriage
• What does Gatsby's vigil outside the Buchanan's house signify?

  His delusional hope for a future with Daisy
• What are the two main reasons for Gatsby's tragic nature?

  1. He doesn't know what he truly wants
  2. He misunderstands love and marriage
• What does Gatsby's character ultimately represent in the context of the 1920s?

  The tragic pursuit of the American dream