The Role of Power and Corruption in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

Expanding the Roles:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the idea of the American Dream by following the life of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who rises to wealth with the hope of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel examines the themes of ambition, power, and corruption, set against the backdrop of the Jazz Age. For literature students, The Great Gatsby offers a critical perspective on the pursuit of wealth and the disillusionment that often accompanies it.

• Power, Wealth, and Moral Decay:
  Gatsby’s wealth is gained through dubious means, yet he uses it to gain status and win Daisy’s affections. Students can explore how Fitzgerald critiques the moral decay hidden behind the American Dream’s pursuit of wealth and social standing.

• The Illusion of the American Dream:
  The novel exposes the hollowness of the American Dream and the idea that material success leads to happiness. Literature students can analyze how Gatsby’s tragic end serves as a critique of the belief that wealth can solve personal and emotional conflicts.

What We Learn:
The Great Gatsby provides literature students with a critical examination of wealth, ambition, and the disillusionment that often follows the pursuit of material success. The novel highlights the moral decay inherent in the pursuit of the American Dream.