# The Great Gatsby

> 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald

**Wikidata**: [Q214371](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214371)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-great-gatsby

## Summary
*The Great Gatsby* is a 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a landmark of modern American literature that explores themes of wealth, ambition, and the American Dream through the story of Jay Gatsby and his obsession with Daisy Buchanan. Published in 1925, the novel is celebrated for its vivid portrayal of the Roaring Twenties and its critique of societal disillusionment.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: F. Scott Fitzgerald
- **Publication Date**: April 10, 1925
- **Genre**: Fiction, Modernist literature
- **Setting**: Long Island, New York, during the Roaring Twenties
- **Protagonist**: Jay Gatsby
- **Main Antagonist**: Tom Buchanan
- **Key Themes**: Wealth, the American Dream, disillusionment, social class
- **Literary Movement**: Jazz Age literature
- **Awards**: Included in *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7048121
- **Open Library ID**: OL3871697W, OL468431W
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /m/0k2y7
- **ISBN**: 186355688
- **Goodreads ID**: 119466792
- **Project Gutenberg ID**: 64317
- **Goodreads Work ID**: 2964
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: aun2017954527
- **Internet Archive ID**: TheGreatGatsby1925.djvu
- **Sitelink Count**: 84 (Wikipedia links)
- **Follows**: *The Beautiful and Damned* (1922)
- **Followed by**: *Tender Is the Night* (1934)
- **Named After**: Jay Gatsby, the novel's protagonist
- **Award Received**: *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*

## FAQs
**What is the central theme of *The Great Gatsby*?**
The novel explores themes of wealth, the American Dream, disillusionment, and the corrupting influence of money, particularly through the character of Jay Gatsby and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan.

**Who is the protagonist of *The Great Gatsby*?**
The protagonist is Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties in the hope of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.

**What historical period does the novel depict?**
The novel is set during the Roaring Twenties, a time of economic prosperity, cultural change, and social upheaval in the United States.

**What is the significance of the green light at the end of the novel?**
The green light symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams, representing his longing for Daisy and the idea of a better future, which ultimately remains out of reach.

**How does *The Great Gatsby* critique American society?**
The novel critiques the superficiality and moral decay of the wealthy elite, exposing the emptiness behind their lavish lifestyles and the illusions of the American Dream.

**What is the relationship between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan?**
Jay Gatsby is obsessed with Daisy Buchanan, whom he believes is the love of his life. Their past relationship is central to the novel's conflict and Gatsby's quest for redemption.

**What awards has *The Great Gatsby* received?**
The novel has been recognized as one of *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*, highlighting its enduring literary significance.

**How does *The Great Gatsby* compare to other works by F. Scott Fitzgerald?**
Like Fitzgerald's other novels, *The Great Gatsby* delves into the complexities of human relationships, the American Dream, and the destructive nature of excess, but it is particularly known for its vivid portrayal of the Jazz Age.

## Why It Matters
*The Great Gatsby* matters because it remains a foundational work of modernist literature, offering a profound critique of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth. Fitzgerald's novel captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with unparalleled vividness, making it a timeless exploration of human ambition, disillusionment, and the search for meaning. Its themes of social class, moral decay, and the illusion of prosperity continue to resonate with readers, ensuring its place as a cornerstone of American literature. The novel's influence extends beyond literature, inspiring adaptations in film, theater, and digital media, and its exploration of universal human experiences makes it relevant across generations and cultures.

## Notable For
- Being a landmark of modernist literature and a defining work of the Jazz Age.
- Introducing the iconic character of Jay Gatsby, a symbol of the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth.
- Exploring themes of wealth, disillusionment, and social class with unparalleled depth and insight.
- Being included in *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*, recognizing its enduring literary significance.
- Inspiring numerous adaptations in film, theater, and digital media, ensuring its cultural relevance.
- Capturing the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with vivid and evocative prose, setting a standard for modernist storytelling.
- Providing a critique of American society and the corrupting influence of wealth, offering a timeless perspective on human nature.

## Body

### Literary Context and Publication
*The Great Gatsby* was published on April 10, 1925, by Charles Scribner's Sons. The novel was Fitzgerald's third book and marked a significant departure from his earlier works, such as *This Side of Paradise* and *The Beautiful and Damned*. It was written during a period of personal and financial struggle for Fitzgerald, who was struggling with alcoholism and the pressures of fame. The novel's publication was initially met with mixed reviews, but it has since become a cornerstone of American literature.

### Plot and Characters
The novel follows the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties on Long Island in the hope of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy and his pursuit of wealth and status drive the narrative, which explores themes of love, ambition, and the American Dream. Key characters include:
- **Jay Gatsby**: The protagonist, a self-made millionaire obsessed with Daisy Buchanan.
- **Daisy Buchanan**: Gatsby's lost love, married to the wealthy and arrogant Tom Buchanan.
- **Tom Buchanan**: Daisy's husband, a wealthy and arrogant man who represents the corrupting influence of money.
- **Nick Carraway**: The narrator of the novel, a young man who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in Gatsby's world.
- **Myrtle Wilson**: Tom's mistress, whose life is destroyed by the consequences of her affair with Tom.
- **George Wilson**: Myrtle's husband, a working-class man whose life is also affected by the novel's events.

### Themes and Symbolism
*The Great Gatsby* explores several key themes, including:
- **Wealth and the American Dream**: The novel critiques the corrupting influence of money and the illusion of prosperity.
- **Disillusionment**: The characters' disillusionment with society and their own lives is a central theme.
- **Love and Obsession**: Gatsby's obsession with Daisy and his pursuit of wealth drive the narrative.
- **Social Class**: The novel exposes the inequalities and moral decay of the wealthy elite.
- **The Illusion of the Past**: The novel's title and the green light symbolize Gatsby's hopes and dreams, which ultimately remain out of reach.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
*The Great Gatsby* has received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the greatest American novels of all time. It has been translated into numerous languages and adapted into films, plays, and television series. The novel's influence extends beyond literature, inspiring discussions on wealth, power, and the American Dream. Its themes of disillusionment, social class, and the corrupting influence of money continue to resonate with readers, ensuring its enduring relevance.

### Adaptations and Cultural Impact
*The Great Gatsby* has been adapted into numerous films, including:
- *The Great Gatsby* (1926), a silent film starring Warner Baxter as Jay Gatsby.
- *The Great Gatsby* (1949), a film starring Alan Ladd as Jay Gatsby.
- *The Great Gatsby* (1974), a film starring Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby.
- *The Great Gatsby* (2013), a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby.

The novel has also inspired adaptations in theater, television, and digital media, ensuring its cultural relevance. Its exploration of universal human experiences makes it a timeless work of literature.

### Awards and Recognition
*The Great Gatsby* has been recognized for its literary merit and cultural impact. It has been included in *Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century*, highlighting its enduring significance. The novel has also been the subject of numerous academic studies and critical analyses, further cementing its place in literary history.

### Related Works and Influence
*The Great Gatsby* is part of a broader tradition of Jazz Age literature, which includes works by other authors such as Ernest Hemingway and Sinclair Lewis. The novel's influence extends beyond literature, inspiring discussions on wealth, power, and the American Dream. Its themes of disillusionment, social class, and the corrupting influence of money continue to resonate with readers, ensuring its enduring relevance.

### Conclusion
*The Great Gatsby* remains a foundational work of modernist literature, offering a profound critique of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth. Fitzgerald's novel captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with unparalleled vividness, making it a timeless exploration of human ambition, disillusionment, and the search for meaning. Its themes of social class, moral decay, and the illusion of prosperity continue to resonate with readers, ensuring its place as a cornerstone of American literature. The novel's influence extends beyond literature, inspiring adaptations in film, theater, and digital media, and its exploration of universal human experiences makes it relevant across generations and cultures.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. [Source](https://fscottfitzgeraldsociety.org/gatsby-centennial-readings/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL468431W/The_Great_Gatsby?edition=key%3A/books/OL26491056M)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/03/book-quiz-working-titles)
8. Quora
9. [Source](https://www.zhihu.com/search?q=%E4%BA%86%E4%B8%8D%E8%B5%B7%E7%9A%84%E7%9B%96%E8%8C%A8%E6%AF%94&type=content)
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. Goodreads
12. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-0372345-Fitzgerald-Francis-Scott-18961940)
13. [The Great Gatsby MBTI Personality Type - Literature](https://www.personality-database.com/profile?pid=2&cid=12&sub_cat_id=601)
14. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute