the great gatsby american dream theme essay

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The Great Gatsby

F. scott fitzgerald.

The American Dream—that hard work can lead one from rags to riches—has been a core facet of American identity since its inception. Settlers came west to America from Europe seeking wealth and freedom. The pioneers headed west for the same reason. The Great Gatsby shows the tide turning east, as hordes flock to New York City seeking stock market fortunes. The Great Gatsby portrays this shift as a symbol of the American Dream's corruption. It's no longer a vision of building a life; it's just about getting rich.

Gatsby symbolizes both the corrupted Dream and the original uncorrupted Dream. He sees wealth as the solution to his problems, pursues money via shady schemes, and reinvents himself so much that he becomes hollow, disconnected from his past. Yet Gatsby's corrupt dream of wealth is motivated by an incorruptible love for Daisy . Gatsby's failure does not prove the folly of the American Dream—rather it proves the folly of short-cutting that dream by allowing corruption and materialism to prevail over hard work, integrity, and real love. And the dream of love that remains at Gatsby's core condemns nearly every other character in the novel, all of whom are empty beyond just their lust for money.

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The American Dream Quotes in The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby: Theme & Key Quotes: The American Dream

The great gatsby: theme & key quotes: the american dream.

Chapter Overview: The American Dream

Pertinent Quotes and Descriptions:

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.” This metaphor depicts Gatsby’s enduring pursuit of the American Dream, a mirage that keeps tempting yet eluding us.

“The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself.” This statement introduces Gatsby’s self-made man narrative, a crucial aspect of the American Dream.

“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.” Nick’s commentary on the ceaseless chase of dreams explores the relentless aspiration and exhaustion associated with the American Dream.

Essential Character Developments:

“He had a big future before him, you know. He was only a young man but he had a lot of brain power here.” This reflection by Gatsby’s father signifies Gatsby’s embodiment of the American Dream - started from the bottom, rose to the top, all due to his innate abilities.

“Her voice is full of money.” Gatsby’s description of Daisy’s voice symbolises the tantalising lure of wealth and status that epitomises his American Dream.

Exposure to the American Dream:

“We drew in deep breaths of it as we walked back, just as many people had done before on their way to get married.” This quote underscores the traditional notion of the American Dream that promises personal happiness through love and marriage.

“He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way…I could have sworn he was trembling.” This end imagery of Gatsby longing for the green light amplifies the myth and unattainability of the American Dream.

Symbolism and Rhetorical Devices:

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” This simile strikingly encapsulates the struggle and futility of chasing the American Dream, depicting a timeless human condition.

“Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water.” This visual imagery depicts the materialistic opulence and superficial charm of the American Dream considered through geographical symbolism.

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Most Important Themes in Great Gatsby, Analyzed

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Need to write about a theme for a Great Gatsby assignment or just curious about what exactly a theme is? Not sure where to start? Learn here what a theme is, what the main themes in The Great Gatsby are, and what the best tips for writing about themes for your English/Language Arts class essays are.

We will also link to our specific articles on each theme so you can learn even more in-depth about themes central to Gatsby .

What Is a Theme? Why Should You Care?

First things first: what exactly is a theme? In literature, a theme is a central topic a book deals with. This central topic is revealed through plot events, the actions and dialogue of the characters, and even the narrator's tone. Themes can be very broad, like love, money, or death, or more specific, like people versus technology, racial discrimination, or the American Dream.

In short, a book's theme can usually answer the question, "what's the point of this book?". They're the "so what?" of literary analysis. Also, note that books can definitely have more than one major theme —in Gatsby we identify seven!

Knowing a book's major theme(s) is crucial to writing essays, since many assignments want you to connect your argument to a book's theme. For example, you might be asked to write an essay about a prompt like this: "How does the life of Jay Gatsby exemplify (or deconstruct) the idea of the American Dream?" This prompt has you connect specific details in Jay Gatsby's life to the larger theme of the American Dream. This is why many teachers love theme essays: because they encourage you to connect small details to big ideas!

Furthermore, the AP English Literature test always has an essay question that has you analyze some aspect of a book and then "compare it to the theme of the work as a whole." (If you want specific examples you can access the last 15 years of AP English Literature free response questions here , using your College Board account.) So this skill won't just help you in your English classes, it will also help you pass the AP English Literature test if you're taking it!

So keep reading to learn about the major themes in Gatsby and how they are revealed in the book, and also to get links to our in-depth articles about each theme.

Overview of Key Themes in The Great Gatsby

Before we introduce our seven main themes, we'll briefly describe how the story and characters suggest the major Great Gatsby themes. Remember that the story is set in the 1920s, a period when America's economy was booming, and takes place in New York: specifically the wealthy Long Island towns of West Egg and East Egg, as well as Manhattan and Queens.

As you should know from the book ( check out our summary if you're still hazy on the details!), The Great Gatsby tells the story of James Gatz , a poor farm boy who manages to reinvent himself as the fabulously rich Jay Gatsby, only to be killed after an attempt to win over his old love Daisy Buchanan . Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan , and they're both from old money, causing them to look down Gatsby's newly rich crowd (and for Tom to look down at Gatsby himself).

Meanwhile, Tom is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson , the wife of mechanic George Wilson . Through the Wilsons, we see the struggles of the working class in dismal Queens , NY. As if they didn't already have it hard enough, Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident (caused by Daisy Buchanan), and George, who's manipulated by Tom to believe that Jay Gatsby was both his wife's lover and her murderer, ends up shooting Gatsby and then himself.

The whole story is told by Nick Carraway , a second cousin of Daisy's and classmate of Tom's who moves in next to Gatsby's mansion and eventually befriends Jay -- and then comes to deeply admire him, despite or perhaps because of Jay's fervent desire to repeat his past with Daisy. The tragic chain of events at the novel's climax, along with the fact that both the Buchanans can easily retreat from the damage they caused, causes Nick to become disillusioned with life in New York and retreat back to his hometown in the Midwest.

Aside from having a very unhappy ending, the novel might just ruin swimming pools for you as well.

The fact that the major characters come from three distinct class backgrounds (working class, newly rich, and old money) suggests that class is a major theme. But the rampant materialism and the sheer amount of money spent by Gatsby himself is a huge issue and its own theme. Related to money and class, the fact that both Gatsby and the Wilsons strive to improve their positions in American society, only to end up dead, also suggests that the American Dream -- and specifically its hollowness -- is a key theme in the book as well.

But there are other themes at play here, too. Every major character is involved in at least one romantic relationship , revealing that they are all driven by love, sex, and desire -- a major theme. Also, the rampant bad behavior (crime, cheating, and finally murder) and lack of real justice makes ethics and morality a key theme. Death also looms large over the novel's plot, alongside the threat of failure.

And finally, a strong undercurrent to all of these themes is identity itself: can James Gatz really become Jay Gatsby, or was he doomed from the start? Can someone who is not from old money ever blend in with that crowd? Could Gatsby really aspire to repeat his past with Daisy, or is that past self gone forever?

In short, just by looking at the novel's plot, characters, and ending, we can already get a strong sense of Gatsby's major themes. Let's now look at each of those themes one by one (and be sure to check out the links to our full theme breakdowns!).

The 7 Major Great Gatsby Themes

Money and Materialism : Everyone in the novel is money-obsessed, whether they were born with money (Tom, Daisy, Jordan, and Nick to a lesser extent), whether they made a fortune (Gatsby), or whether they're eager for more (Myrtle and George). So why are the characters so materialistic? How does their materialism affect their choices? Get a guide to each of the characters' material motivations and how they shape the novel.

Society and Class: Building on the money and materialism theme, the novel draws clear distinctions between the kind of money you have: old money (inherited) or new money (earned). And there is also a clear difference between the lifestyles of the wealthy, who live on Long Island and commute freely to Manhattan, and the working class people stuck in between, mired in Queens. By the end of the novel, our main characters who are not old money (Gatsby, Myrtle, and George) are all dead, while the inherited-money club is still alive. What does this say about class in Gatsby? Why is their society so rigidly classist? Learn more about the various social classes in Gatsby and how they affect the novel's outcome.

The American Dream : The American Dream is the idea anyone can make it in America (e.g. gain fame, fortune, and success) through enough hard work and determination. So is Jay Gatsby an example of the dream? Or does his involvement in crime suggest the Dream isn't actually real? And where does this leave the Wilsons, who are also eager to improve their lot in life but don't make it out of the novel alive? Finally, do the closing pages of the novel endorse the American Dream or write it off as a fantasy? Learn what the American Dream is and how the novel sometimes believes in it, and sometimes sees it as a reckless fantasy.

Love, Desire, and Relationships : All of the major characters are driven by love, desire, or both, but only Tom and Daisy's marriage lasts out of the novel's five major relationships and affairs. So is love an inherently unstable force? Or do the characters just experience it in the wrong way? Get an in-depth guide to each of Gatsby's major relationships.

Death and Failure: Nick narrates Gatsby two years after the events in question, and since he's obviously aware of the tragedy awaiting not only Gatsby but Myrtle and George as well, the novel has a sad, reflective, even mournful tone. Is the novel saying that ambition is inherently dangerous (especially in a classist society like 1920s America), or is it more concerned with the danger of Gatsby's intense desire to reclaim the past? Explore those questions here.

Morality and Ethics: The novel is full of bad behavior: lying, cheating, physical abuse, crime, and finally murder. Yet none of the characters ever answer to the law, and God is only mentioned as an exclamation, or briefly projected onto an advertisement . Does the novel push for the need to fix this lack of morality, or does it accept it as the normal state of affairs in the "wild, wild East"?

The Mutability of Identity: Mutability just means "subject to change," so this theme is about how changeable (or not!) personal identity is. Do people really change? Or are our past selves always with us? And how would this shape our desire to reclaim parts of our past? Gatsby wants to have it both ways: to change himself from James Gatz into the sophisticated, wealthy Jay Gatsby, but also to preserve his past with Daisy. Does he fail because it's impossible to change? Because it's impossible to repeat the past? Or both?

How to Write About The Great Gatsby Themes

So now that you know about the major themes of The Great Gatsby , how can you go about writing about them? First up: look closely at your prompt.

Sometimes an essay prompt will come right out and ask you to write about a theme , for example "is The American Dream in Gatsby alive or dead?" or "Write about the relationships in Gatsby. What is the novel saying about the nature of love and desire?" For those essays, you will obviously be writing about one of the novel's major themes. But even though those prompts have big-picture questions, make sure to find small supporting details to help make your argument.

For example, if you're discussing the American Dream and arguing it's dead in the novel, don't just make that claim and be done with it. Instead, you can explore Gatsby's past as James Gatz, George Wilson's exhausted complacency, and Myrtle's treatment at the hands of Tom as examples of how the American Dream is treated in the novel. Obviously those examples are far from exhaustive, but hopefully you get the idea: find smaller details to support the larger argument.

On the other hand, many essay prompts about Gatsby will look like a question about something specific, like a character or symbol:

• Explore Tom and Daisy as people who 'retreat into their money.'
• What does the green light at the end of Daisy's dock represent? How does its meaning change throughout the novel?
• Show how Fitzgerald uses clothing (and the changing of costumes) to tell the reader more about the characters and/or express theme(s).

These prompts are actually a chance for you to take that detailed analysis and connect it to one of the larger themes—in other words, even though the prompt doesn't state it explicitly, you should still be connecting those more focused topics to one of the big-picture themes.

For example, if you talk about Tom and Daisy Buchanan, you will definitely end up talking about society and class. If you talk about the green light, you will end up talking about dreams and goals, specifically the American Dream. And if you discuss clothing to talk about the characters, you will definitely touch on money and materialism, as well as society and class (like how Gatsby's pink suit makes him stand out as new money to Tom Buchanan, or how Myrtle adopts a different dress to play at being wealthy and sophisticated).

In short, for these more specific prompts, you start from the ground (small details and observations) and build up to discussing the larger themes, even if the prompt doesn't say to do so explicitly!

What's Next?

Now you're an expert on themes, but what about symbols? If you need to write about the important symbols in The Great Gatsby, check out our symbols overview for a complete guide.

Want a full analysis of Jay Gatsby and his backstory? Not sure how his story connects with the American Dream? Get the details here .

Want to go back to square one? Get started with Chapter 1 of our Great Gatsby plot summary.

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The Great Gatsby

A great american dream jens shroyer.

The Great Gatsby and "Babylon Revisited," both by F. Scott Fitzgerald, are stories about the emptiness and recklessness of the 1920s. Each story has its distinctions, but Fitzgerald's condemnation of the decade reverberates through both. Fitzgerald explores and displays insufficiencies of the vacuous period, and does so with sharp clarity and depth, leaving no crude, barbarous habit to imagination. Fitzgerald had a deep and personal affliction with the 1920s (most notably in the Eastern United States), and in both The Great Gatsby and "Babylon Revisited," he hones his conflicts into a furious condemnation. The 1920s were a period of sloth, habitual sin, exhausted illustriousness, and moral despondency; the black mark of a society and world usually tilted more toward attempted civility. Fitzgerald conveys this theme through the use of character, symbolism, and wasteland imagery.

First, Fitzgerald uses characters to personify the vast recklessness of the generation. The characters in both are incomprehensibly selfish and carefree, though more noticeably in The Great Gatsby. Tom Buchanan, for instance, is almost flippant in acknowledging his affair with Jordan Baker, a local miscreant golf pro. Tom leaves...

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The American Dream in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

Introduction, the american dream in the novel.

The Great Gatsby is a chef-d’oeuvre tragic love story and a pessimistic critique of the idea of the American Dream as written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. The American Dream is the meritocratic belief that anyone, irrespective of his or her class, race, gender, or nationality can become wildly successful in the United States through hard work and persistence. This rosy view of the US promotes the myth of class equality and paints a utopian image of a country that has many inherent problems, such as systemic racism, misogyny, and widespread income inequalities among other social evils that bedevil most developed countries around the world. Therefore, Fitzgerald wrote this subtly sarcastic novel to highlight the many flaws of the American Dream – an idea that has been romanticized for many years since the early 1900s. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald suggests that the American Dream is illusionary, those who pursue it, like Jay Gatsby, end up living miserably, and the impacts of such pursuits are mostly tragic as discussed in this paper.

Jay Gatsby is the ultimate embodiment of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby. He is born poor, but he allegedly works hard by associating with a millionaire, Dan Cody, to gain wealth and prominence in society and this concept of success fits well into the underlying concept of the American Dream. Gatsby’s drive for wealth and success is fuelled by his love for Daisy Buchanan. He thinks that if he becomes successful, then he would win Daisy’s love and live happily after. As such, his version of the American Dream is to work hard, become successful, and earn happiness in the process. However, although Jay becomes wildly successful, he does not win Daisy’s love and this tragic turn of events leads to his premature death. Through Jay’s actions and desires, Fitzgerald criticizes the notion of the American Dream by showing that this idea is illusionary and cannot be fully achieved. Those chasing this idea will always want more no matter the level of success that they achieve. For instance, Jay amasses great wealth, but he is not satisfied because his definition of success cannot be completed without winning Daisy’s love. The extreme pursuit of materialism does not guarantee happiness or success. Jay’s desire to earn more and scale the social ladder to win Daisy’s love leads to his downfall. As such, Fitzgerald shows that the idea of infinite success, as embodied in the American Dream, is illusionary.

When the author introduces Jay at first in the novel, he comes across as an individual always yearning for more. Jay appears to be reaching for something that is far away, almost unattainable – something that can be seen but cannot be reached. The narrator, Nick, says,

…He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward–and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock (Fitzgerald 20).

The image of the green light could be interpreted as the novel’s meditation on the American Dream. The promise of great success through the unabated amassment of wealth forces the believers of this dream to keep on yearning for more even after becoming successful. The green light in chapter one is mysterious and Nick does not know its purpose. This green light, albeit distant, does not dim or go off. It is a constant reminder to Jay that he can achieve more if only he works harder – it is the American Dream.

The illusionary nature of this dream becomes evident once Jay achieves the desired success and ultimately gets the green light. For the first time, in Chapter 5, Jay reveals that the green light that he has always been seeking is at Daisy’s house. Nick says, ‘If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay,’ said Gatsby. ‘You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock’” (Fitzgerald 92). It becomes clear that Jay’s idea of success as enshrined in the American Dream is closely tied to winning Daisy’s love. Interestingly, when Jay finally meets Daisy, he does not recognize that his dream has come true. The meaning of the green light disappears the moment Jay reaches it. When Daisy puts her arm through Jay’s, he seems unmoved or excited, even though he has achieved one of his lifelong dreams – to have daisy. According to the narrator, possibly it occurred to Jay that

The colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one (Fitzgerald 93)

In this passage, the author sarcastically, albeit subtly, criticizes the idea of the American Dream. The dream is an illusion that only exists in the mind of those in its pursuit. Jay has finally reached the green light that he has been yearning for years. However, its meaning is now lost and he wants more. This is the nature of the American Dream – the promise of unparalleled success based on materialism is vague and empty. Even after achieving wealth and success, and eventually reaching Daisy, Jay is not satisfied, he is not happy with his life, and thus he is always seeking more. In this state of confusion, Jay starts losing everything that he has accumulated and ultimately his life.

Another aspect of the state of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby is the lie that hard work pays and through meritocracy, anyone could achieve success. In the novel, Jay appears to have decoded the mystery of the American Dream because he becomes wealthy and successful against all odds after being born poor. According to Nick, Gatsby’s parents were “shiftless and unsuccessful farm people…For over a year he had been beating his way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and a bed” (Fitzgerald 98). Even though Jay starts his life in poverty, he has what it takes, according to the American Dream, to become successful. He has a strong work ethic and unparalleled ambition to win Daisy’s love, and a combination of these two attributes allows him to overcome his poverty-stricken past. The narrator highlights the level of success and wealth accumulation that Jay has when he describes Jay’s mansion as, “a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden” (Fitzgerald 5). Therefore, according to the materialistic nature of success as embodied in the American Dream, it suffices to argue that Jay is living the dream. He rises through the social ranks, gains extravagant wealth, and becomes highly successful through sheer hard work and determination.

However, a closer look at Jay’s life reveals a different side of the story whereby wealth, as the ultimate achievement of the American Dream, is attained unscrupulously through corruption and crime. Traditionally, the American Dream is hinged on the belief that hard work and honesty could lead anyone to success because the country is a land of opportunity and meritocracy. However, Jay violates all these principles and quickly becomes extravagantly wealthy through crime and corruption. In the beginning, Jay attempts to follow the classical way of hard work as a guiding work ethic principle during his years working for Dan Cody. Unfortunately, Jay’s stay and work life at Cody’s place are terminated prematurely when Cody’s wife steals all the inheritance. As such, Jay turns to crime as the only feasible way of achieving his desired and imagined wealth. Therefore, while on the one side Jay’s story imitates the rags-to-riches tale, he gains his wealth immorally and this aspect complicates the notion behind the perfect avatar of the American Dream. This dream is illusionary, and based on Jay’s story, it suffices to argue that it is unattainable, and those that attempt to pursue it do so at the expense of their happiness and lives.

In the end, Jay’s American Dream does not materialize. He turns into crime to become rich and successful as a way of winning Daisy’s love, which is ultimately his American Dream. According to the narrator, Jay knew that when “he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God…At his lips’ touch, she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete” (Fitzgerald 110). This quote ties Daisy to Jay’s version of the American Dream. However, it also sets the stage for Jay’s tragic ending. Daisy chooses to stay with Tom, despite confessing her love for Jay. As such, when he fails to win Daisy’s love, he fails to achieve his American Dream and the events that follow lead to his premature death after being shot by Tom Buchanan. Therefore, The Great Gatsby is a pessimistic approach to the American Dream. The impact of chasing this illusionary dream is that it leads to misery and death based on Jay’s story.

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald criticizes the concept of the American Dream by presenting it as a pipe dream that cannot be realized no matter how hard anyone tries. Jay attempts to pursue his version of the American Dream, which is to ultimately win Daisy’s love, but he fails and dies miserably. Additionally, the author criticizes the argument that hard work and meritocracy are the sure ways of achieving the American Dream. Jay’s industriousness while working for Cody does not pay off for him to become wealthy. On the contrary, he becomes rich through bootlegging alcohol among other criminal activities. Therefore, Fitzgerald is pessimistic about the underlying claim that hard work could propel anyone to become wealthy and successful hence the realization of the American Dream. In other words, the dream is illusionary, and its pursuers, such as Jay, lead miserable lives and the impacts of such pursuit are often tragic.

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.

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The Theme of the American Dream in the Great Gatsby

This essay will analyze the theme of the American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby.” It will explore how the novel portrays the American Dream’s allure and its unattainability, particularly through the characters of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. The piece will discuss how Fitzgerald uses the novel to critique the materialism and moral decay of the 1920s, and how the American Dream becomes corrupted by wealth and status. Also at PapersOwl you can find more free essay examples related to American Dream.

How it works

The American dream is a concept that many strive for and will not be deterred from. Within The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby longs to create the most ideal lifestyle with Daisy, someone he has taken an interest in. Gatsby’s attraction to Daisy, who is married to Tom Buchanan, makes him go to extreme lengths to win her over. Ultimately, this leads to his downfall as this fantasy will not be the reality. Although his dream is unattainable, he perseveres.

Gatsby’s devotion to his beautiful, yet unrealistic dream of having a relationship with Daisy results in his corruption and demise.

• 1 Gatsby’s desire to achieve the American Dream
• 2 Society’s Rules Prohibit Gatsby from Making his Dream a Reality

Gatsby’s desire to achieve the American Dream

Gatsby’s desire to achieve the American Dream leads to his efforts to win Daisy’s affection. Gatsby’s interest in Daisy started five years earlier, before he left for the war, “The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time…” (75). It is evident that Gatsby’s love for Daisy began when they were young and has only grown since then. Gatsby convinces himself that Daisy is the key to fulfilling the American Dream, which makes him aim “for a single green light… at the end of a dock” (21). The narrator Nick Carraway first describes Gatsby by saying, “If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures then there was something gorgeous about him” (6). This suggests that Gatsby’s appearance is almost built, in the sense that Gatsby has planned everything in his life for one sole purpose.

It is clear that Nick sees Gatsby has plans for his future that were unknown at the time. Also, Gatsby’s wealth is derived from his desire to be with Daisy and live out this fantasy that he had since they first met. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay…I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties…”, and this illustrates the lengths he will go to, so Daisy reciprocates the feelings he expressed towards her (63). He throws parties because he is hopeful that she will attend one. This exemplifies his desire to have a relationship with her. Unfortunately, in the end, “…Daisy tumbles short of his dreams…” because the picture he created exceeds reality (76). Daisy’s denial to the fact that she never loved Tom, crushes Gatsby and his dreams of them living the perfect life together. Gatsby’s expectations overpowered reality and this leads to his defeat.

Gatsby’s continued obsession with Daisy highlights his corruption that results in his death. Gatsby went to extreme measures to become wealthy. He changes his name and is involved in some illegal pursuits in which he gained his wealth from. The ravishing parties at his ornate house were not for his enjoyment, but rather his hope that Daisy would “wander into one of his parties…” (63). He obtains a great deal of money; however, the extent that he went to to do so, changes his character. Most importantly, reality brought Gatsby overwhelming disappointment because of Daisy’s rejection of him. Throughout the past five years, Gatsby attained great wealth, which could have led him to great success. His pursuit of Daisy restricted him from his potential to be great, “…he’d of been a great man…He’d of helped build up the country” (168).

As time passed from when he first met Daisy, her life progressed while Gatsby remained stunted. He was fixed in a fantasy that he would not escape and resulted in his death, “…paid a high price for living too long with a single dream” (161). Gatsby’s actions were for the purpose of gaining wealth and power to attract Daisy, and this represents the American Dream taking precedence over him. In his attempts to charm Daisy, he ends up corrupting himself because he’s living in a fantasy that is unattainable. “Her [Daisy] voice was full of money”, which demonstrates that Daisy is not only Gatsby’s dream, but also represents wealth, and this leads to success in America (127). He believes that Daisy is the key to success; however, that is not the case. Gatsby’s accomplishments could have brought him success without Daisy. Once this fantasy dies, Gatsby dies along with it.

Society’s Rules Prohibit Gatsby from Making his Dream a Reality

Society’s rules prohibit Gatsby from making his dream a reality, however, his determination allows him to persevere. Unlike Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan is aware of her position in society, and does not want to jeopardize this role. She is not satisfied with her marriage; yet, she lives by the social norms of the era, which leaves her morally corrupt because she wants a relationship with Gatsby. Also, the accumulation of wealth differentiates people. “The white palaces of fashionable East Egg” is home to those with “old money”, like Daisy and Tom, who were both born into wealth. They have always lived at the top of the social ladder that society created. On the other side of the bay lives “…the well less fashionable…” West Egg people like Gatsby and Nick, who were not born into high authority, but rather earned it in one way or another (5).

This separation depicts that Gatsby and Daisy cannot conform to the other’s life. Despite the established social norms, like faithful marriage and wealth, Gatsby, nevertheless, persists. His constant efforts may appear negative because Daisy is married, but the passion that Gatsby presents is powerful. Nick tells Gatsby that he “…can’t repeat the past…”, but Gatsby is determined to prove him wrong (87). Also, Jordan explains to Nick, “He’s afraid, he’s waited so long…”, and this shows how vulnerable he is, however, nothing is able to dismantle his determination to be with Daisy. The beauty in all of this is that Gatsby loves Daisy enough to keep fighting for her. Gatsby disregards all the social norms that Daisy has conformed to, and pursues his goal of having the American Dream with her.

Gatsby’s infatuation with achieving the American Dream with Daisy by his side ultimately results in devastation. The spread of the American Dream results in much corruption and desolation. Many people yearn to fulfill the American Dream of reaching their highest potential. Gatsby was willing to go to great lengths to establish his dream that he had since he was fairly young. In acquiring his goal, he becomes corrupt as he is fighting for a fantasy that can never be reality. However, there is light in the dark because he is determined to fight for someone he loves, overlooking social norms. Gatsby’s hope and determination demonstrates his beauty, however, his corruption is the result of the extent that he goes to for Daisy and, in the end, Gatsby, himself, and his fantasy cease to exist.

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Themes in The Great Gatsby

The major themes in The Great Gatsby are: money & wealth, social class, American dream, love & marriage, gender.

Welcome to The Great Gatsby themes page prepared by our editorial team!

• 🗽 The American Dream
• 👬 Social Class
• 🗺️ Navigation

🎓 References

🗽 the american dream in the great gatsby, what is the american dream in the great gatsby.

It may seem like this story is all about tragic love, but in The Great Gatsby, the American dream is the central theme . Every scene and every character is connected to the idea of the American dream’s corruption. It is not about a better life anymore but about getting richer and richer.

The Role of The American Dream in the Novel

The American dream was born when Europeans began to move west to America, seeking a better life . As Nick pictures it in Chapter 9 , for the first settlers, it was all about discovery . They wanted freedom, happiness, and equality.

However, during the Jazz Age, it turned upside down. Money has become the goal instead of an instrument. After the war, the stock market rocketed up to the point when anyone could become wealthy. That is when the new rich of the 1920s appeared. With time, the greed for money overrode the old dream of free and happy family life. The novel pictures this transition perfectly. Swarms of people moving east to New York represent the American dream’s corruption in The Great Gatsby . Nick Carraway can be counted as one of them since he moved to New York City hoping to start a career in the bond business.

Gatsby has already reached success in terms of making money . However, his dream is controversial. He is completely consumed by the materialistic idea of getting as rich as possible, but love for Daisy motivates him. This uncorrupted dream is what makes Gatsby different from other characters who are empty inside. Nevertheless, he is using faulty means to conquer Daisy. Gatsby thinks that money is an easy and fast solution to everything, but that is where he is wrong. Moreover, he connects with the criminals .

Initially, hard work and belief were the tools that would lead anyone to the American dream, which is one of the main themes. Gatsby is not the only character in the novel who tries to cheat. Myrtle seems to have fallen for the idea of a wealthy life too . She sees the way to it through Tom Buchanan. At the end of the story, she ends up dead, as well as Gatsby. Their failure symbolizes the danger of taking a shortcut on the way to the American Dream.

One of the symbols representing the hopelessness of materialism is the Valley of Ashes . Just like other characters of the novel, people who live there believe that money will make them happy. Fitzgerald hit the nail on the head because if people try to look for the source of abundance outside, it leads them to frustration.

Quotes about the American Dream in The Great Gatsby

“If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 8

“Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he’s got about improving his mind? He was always great for that.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 8

“…I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 8

♂️ Gender in The Great Gatsby

Women in the great gatsby.

Women in The Great Gatsby represent the struggle to change the usual perception of gender roles. Each female character in the novel has a different approach to gender inequality at that time. None of them seem to take radical measures, but their behavior is noticeable. Women’s rights issue is one of the major themes in The Great Gatsby .

Feminism in The Great Gatsby

The gender roles in The Great Gatsby are represented just according to the way it was at the beginning of the 20th century. Most families, except for old money, follow the unspoken rules. Men work and build careers, while women go out and spend money . Men also show their superiority, often getting physical with their wives.

In the novel, men are described by their social status and their place of work. However, the role of women in The Great Gatsby comes down to being pretty and obedient wives. It is very well shown by Daisy when she said that “the best thing a girl can be in this world” is to be “ a beautiful little fool ” so that men would use her. Essentially, that is what Daisy does – she pretends to be clueless to stay with Tom. Judging by her cynical statements, she seems to be quite intelligent, but she needs to remain submissive to save her status. Betraying Gatsby, she chose to marry Tom, whose stable wealth guarantees a careless life. Unfortunately, it appeared that her husband is a misogynistic , controlling man, for whom women are just possessions.

Moreover, he gets physical whenever he feels the urge to show his power. It happened with both Daisy and Myrtle Wilson, his mistress. Now, Daisy is doomed to play the role of a meek wife because it is her choice. Myrtle and Daisy are just common examples of how women had to behave in the 1920s .

Unlike Daisy, Jordan chooses not to surrender to life circumstances and represents feminism in The Great Gatsby . She is a new woman, a so-called flapper , which means that she is independent and free to wear bold, colorful make-up and clothing. Jordan has a career, her own point of view, and doesn’t seem interested in becoming a mere wife. Moreover, she doesn’t limit her choice of partner to males. She challenges patriarchy by taking control of her own life and not depending on men. However, according to Nick, Jordan doesn’t possess the level of femininity other ladies in the novel have. He mentions that her body type resembles a manly athlete, even though she is charming. All in all, Jordan Baker is a representative of a feminist movement of the time .

Quotes on the Role of Women in The Great Gatsby

“‘All right,’ I said, ‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.’” The Great Gatsby , chapter 1

“She was incurably dishonest… Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply—I was casually sorry, and then I forgot.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 3

“Through this twilight universe Daisy began to move again with the season; suddenly she was again keeping half a dozen dates a day with half a dozen men, and drowsing asleep at dawn with the beads and chiffon of an evening dress tangled among dying orchids on the floor beside her bed.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 8

👬 Social Class in The Great Gatsbysocial

Every character belongs to a specific social class in The Great Gatsby . The differences between the classes are drastic, but they help create a precise image of the 1920s. Fitzgerald also highlights division inside the social classes, which also appears to be a critical theme in The Great Gatsby .

Social Inequality in the Novel

There are three social classes in The Great Gatsby : old money , new money , and no money . Although old money and nouveau riche may have the same amount of gold in their banks, they are still distinct. Aristocratic old families from East Egg, represented by the Buchanans, simply cannot accept people who just got rich as not only they lack manners, but they may be a threat. Therefore, the new rich, such as Gatsby, have to stay in West Egg while struggling to make enough connections to be accepted in the elite social class. On the other hand, Myrtle and George Wilson belong to no money – the lowest class – just like other people living in the Valley of Ashes.

Power and privilege are divided according to social position. It is especially noticeable by the submissive acting of Wilson when Tom comes by his garage. Wilson knows that money equals power, and it is the reason why Myrtle is so eager to get into the elite club.

What is more, Myrtle’s attitude toward her husband brings up a relation between status and love. She mentions that she thought her husband was of better “breeding” when they met, but he turned out to be poor hence unworthy. And, eventually, Gatsby fails to get Daisy back because it is not the wealth that she is into. Daisy rejects Gatsby due to his social background. Someone who comes from a low-income family is no match for an aristocrat like her.

Finally, higher social classes can afford to cover up their missteps , just like it happens with Tom and Daisy. Just like Gatsby, as a very prominent persona, escapes the penalty on the road to New York City, Daisy quickly forgets that she killed a person and simply leaves the city. It is also possible that Tom paid Myrtle’s sister to stay quiet about his affair since she never dropped a word about it.

Racism in The Great Gatsby

Not only does Tom feel privileged, but his attitude underlines the issue of racism in The Great Gatsby and the society of the 1920s as a whole. Tom appears to be incredibly racist, and it comes up when he comments on the book called “ The Rise of the Coloured Empires .” He is afraid that the white race “will be utterly submerged.”

The Great Gatsby: Social Class Quotes

“Have you read ‘The Rise of the Coloured Empires’ by this man Goddard?.. Well, it’s a fine book, and everybody ought to read it. The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will be—will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 1

“He’s an Oggsford man… He went to Oggsford College in England. You know Oggsford College?.. It’s one of the most famous colleges in the world.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 4

“An Oxford man!.. Like hell he is! He wears a pink suit… Oxford, New Mexico, or something like that.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 7

🤑 Wealth in The Great Gatsby

The money question also makes it to the list of the major themes in The Great Gatsby . Not only does it include the amount but also the way people get their finances. Essentially, for all the characters in The Great Gatsby , wealth becomes the only goal , and materialism corrupts the American Dream.

Money in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby , materialism takes over people’s minds, and they celebrate nothing else but their ability to get more possessions. Poor characters think that the hunger inside will go away as soon as they get wealthy. But it only takes one glimpse to understand that excessively rich people like Tom stay hollow – money doesn’t fix it.

It all comes down to money in The Great Gatsby . The Roaring Twenties have brought the idea that wealth is universal salvation. Tom keeps a mistress, and Gatsby is trying to get love from Daisy, while she only wants security and status. All of them use money as an instrument to achieve their goals. But it goes further as none of them notices the hollowness of the material side of their lives. Gatsby’s flashy parties are one of the symbols of wastefulness and carelessness in the novel. People are trapped in the vicious cycle of consumerism , and they don’t see any other aim than just spending money. It underlines the influence of money as the central theme in The Great Gatsby . Also, materialism is tightly connected to the American Dream’s corruption since it is easy to quit the dream when there is easy money on the table.

Old Money vs. New Money in The Great Gatsby

For the lower class, money is the same everywhere but not for the elite . Old aristocratic families of East Egg hate on the West Egg newcomers since they got rich just right after the war. These two Long Island areas symbolize the clash of old money vs. new money in The Great Gatsby .

The main reason for such a division in the upper class is that aristocrats do not welcome the new rich . The new money vs. old money battle has been going on since the end of the war. Then, people could build up their fortunes thanks to the thriving economy. However, the way from rags to riches does not suggest making social connections. Hence, they have decided to compensate for it with overly ostentatious houses and outfits. Of course, families who have been rich for decades stick to their old traditions, so they only see vulgarity and lack of style in the new money class. But the aristocratic grace and manners appear to be a mask that old money people wear to hide arrogance and hypocrisy.

The Great Gatsby: Quotes about Money

“His family were enormously wealthy—even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach… For instance he’d brought down a string of polo ponies from Lake Forest. It was hard to realize that a man in my own generation was wealthy enough to do that.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 1

“After that I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe – Paris, Venice, Rome – collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little, things for myself only, and trying to forget something very sad that had happened to me long ago.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 4

“‘Her voice is full of money,’ he said suddenly. That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money—that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it…. High in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl…” The Great Gatsby , chapter 7

💘 Love in The Great Gatsby

Love & marriage in the novel.

Love is the last of the major themes in The Great Gatsby . Fitzgerald’s novel is far from an idealized romance , and the awkward attempts of the main characters to have a romantic relationship only point to the instability of love. Even though love is overdriven by wealth in The Great Gatsby , it affects the development of the characters.

Love in The Great Gatsby

The two married couples in the novel are definitely an excellent example of corrupted love in The Great Gatsby . Both Daisy and Myrtle got married with the hope of getting a stable budget . However, neither of them experience love and support, which are usually the essentials in every healthy marriage. Myrtle’s union turned out to be a disappointment since George Wilson lied about his status wearing a borrowed suit for their wedding. Daisy, on the other hand, got what she wanted – social status and financial security. Still, she has to obey Tom and suffer from his hypocrisy. It may also refer to another theme of The Great Gatsby – wealth and money.

Nick tries to pursue a somewhat normal relationship with Jordan. Throughout the novel, there is not much description of the time they spend together. However, according to Nick’s feelings, it seems like he is closer to her than anybody else. In the end, Jordan and Nick have quite an unpleasant break-up. During the Jazz Age, people were more likely to have casual relationships for fun rather than looking into love and marriage. It seems like the “ tender curiosity ” is the closest that characters can get to real love. Even Gatsby’s feelings toward Daisy appear to be just an illusion.

The Great Gatsby: Quotes about Love

“He had on a dress suit and patent leather shoes and I couldn’t keep my eyes off him but every time he looked at me I had to pretend to be looking at the advertisement over his head… I told him I’d have to call a policeman, but he knew I lied. I was so excited that when I got into a taxi with him I didn’t hardly know I wasn’t getting into a subway train.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 2

“I thought I’d never seen a girl so mad about her husband. If he left the room for a minute she’d look around uneasily and say ‘Where’s Tom gone?’ and wear the most abstracted expression until she saw him coming in the door.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 4

“She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded. His mouth opened a little and he looked at Gatsby and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as some one he knew a long time ago.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 7

Jay Gatsby & Daisy Buchanan

Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship is the focus of the novel . It all started in Louisville, and they had a beautiful love, which could have lasted forever. Even after being separated for years, Gatsby’s love has stayed loyal to Daisy. But she got cold-hearted pretty quickly and chose money over love.

Gatsby has gone through a very long and hard way from rags to riches and hasn’t forgotten the purpose of this journey. When they finally reunite, it seems like their love has been reborn. Gatsby is glowing with happiness, just like nothing happened, hardly keeping his eyes dry. It must have been the happiest Nick saw him. Daisy, on the other hand, looks quite confused. She might not even remember everything from their little romance in Louisville. A world full of dreams and illusions is where Gatsby lives. For him, everything has finally come back to how it was. A reality check probably wouldn’t hurt him. However, Daisy has a real family to attend to . She has a hard time choosing between Tom and Gatsby. Finally, she admits that she also loved Tom and betrays Gatsby once again. The latter, though, refuses to believe that he failed and decides to wait until Daisy changes her mind. But she is quick to erase any memory of him after the accident. Eventually, he would have realized that she could not live up to his expectations, just as Nick has suspected.

Gatsby and Daisy used to have a perfect relationship but only for a brief moment. To build a strong union of loving people, they would need to stop looking through rose-colored glasses. Both partners need to see and accept the real identity of their partner. Gatsby, however, has had some surreal expectations towards Daisy.

What Does Daisy Represent to Gatsby?

To Gatsby, Daisy represents total perfection – an idol of beauty, intelligence, and grace. And even though, in reality, she is far from this image, it is not all he sees in her. Since she was born in a wealthy family, she portrays the “golden girl” whose appearance radiates extreme wealth. Hence, Gatsby only sees her status in her.

Gatsby & Daisy Quotes

“He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you.’ After she had obliterated three years with that sentence they could decide upon the more practical measures to be taken.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 6

“‘Gatsby sprang to his feet, vivid with excitement. ‘She never loved you, do you hear?’ he cried. ‘She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved any one except me!’” The Great Gatsby , chapter 7

“I can’t describe to you how surprised I was to find out I loved her, old sport. I even hoped for a while that she’d throw me over, but she didn’t, because she was in love with me too.” The Great Gatsby , chapter 8

Daisy & Tom Buchanan

Another failed relationship is the union of Daisy and Tom . They have been married for three years and got a house at East Egg. They also have a child together, a lovely little girl named Pammy. According to Jordan, Daisy was even in love with Tom. It may have only been the result of her excitement after the whole three months of honeymoon. However, her feelings faded with all the burdens of family life. Besides, Tom has started cheating as soon as they came back from the honeymoon.

It is incredible how Tom and Daisy Buchanan are the only couple that survived throughout the novel. There are so many reasons for them to break it up, but they remain inseparable and even seem to have gotten closer at the end. Daisy loving Gatsby, Tom cheating and abusing her, and the murder of Myrtle were not enough for them to separate.

It may not be obvious, but what keeps Daisy and Tom together is their mutual desire to keep the privileges of the upper class . Initially, Tom was approved by Daisy’s family as a suitable match. Their marriage guarantees the stability of their status. That is why Daisy chose Tom over Gatsby once again.

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Great Gatsby Essay: The Pursuit of the American Dream

• Great Gatsby Essay: The Pursuit…

A major theme in The Great Gatsby is the pursuit of what can be termed the American dream. Do you agree? By choosing a major character or a situation in Fitzgerald’s novel, discuss how or whether Fitzgerald is successful in exposing the underside of the American dream)

This represents the idea of the American Dream, where qualities of hard work and ambition are shown. The novel The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald embodies many themes; however, the most significant one relates to the corruption of the American dream.

The American Dream is defined as someone starting low on the economic or social level, and working hard towards prosperity and or wealth and fame. By having money, a car, a big house, nice clothes, and a happy family symbolizes the American dream. This dream also represents that people, no matter who he or she is, can become successful in life by his or her own work.

The desire to strive for what one wants can be accomplished if they work hard enough. The dream is represented by the idea of a self-sufficient man or woman, who works hard to achieve a goal to become successful. The Great Gatsby is a novel that shows what happened to the American Dream in the 1920’s, which is a time period when the dreams became corrupted for many reasons.

The American dream not only causes corruption but has caused destruction. Myrtle, Gatsby and Daisy have all been corrupted and destroyed by the dream.

The desire for a luxurious life is what lures Myrtle into having an affair with Tom. This decision harms her marriage with George, which leads to her death and loss of true happiness. Myrtle has the hope and desire for a perfect, wealthy and famous type of life.  She enjoys reading gossip magazines which represent her hope for the life of “the rich and famous”.

This shows how the one reason she wants to be with Tom, is because he represents the life of “the rich and famous”. When Myrtle first got married to George Wilson, she thought that she was crazy about him and thought that they were happy being together. Myrtle says, “The only crazy I was was when I married him. I knew right away I made a mistake.

He borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in, and never told me about it, and the man came after it one day when he was out…” (Fitzgerald, 37) This shows how materialistic Myrtle is, and that she didn’t appreciate how George couldn’t afford his own suit to get married in. She looks at Tom in a different way. She looks at him as someone who can afford to buy their own suit for their own wedding. Myrtle is attracted to not only Tom’s appearance but his money as well.

She believes that Tom is the ideal picture-perfect man that represents the advertisement of the American Dream. Myrtle is considered to be lower class, as she doesn’t have a lot of money. Myrtle sleeps with Tom to inch her way to an upper-class status. People who are upper class are the ones that have money, drive fancy cars, and have nice big houses. Myrtle isn’t one of those people but desires to be one of them. This, later on, causes destruction and destroys Myrtle.

It was later found that Daisy was the one that hit Myrtle with her car which resulted in the death of Myrtle. It is ironic that Daisy was the one that killed her, since Myrtle was having an affair with her husband, Tom. This shows how the desire for a luxurious life and having the American dream, only caused destruction in this novel and destroyed someone’s life.

The hope for happiness is something that Daisy hoped to have, but finding out she married the wrong man changed who she is and her outlook on life. Early on in the novel, Daisy finds out a secret that Tom is hiding from her. Jordan says, “She might have the decency not to telephone him a dinner time.

Don’t you think?” (Fitzgerald, 20) Tom got a call from some women at dinner time, and Jordan claims that the woman is Tom’s, suggesting that he is sleeping with someone else. You learn throughout the novel that Tom and Daisy’s relationship is not to most ideal, happy relationship. Tom seems to be abusive towards her and rather does not seem to care much about her. Daisy thinks she has everything, wealth, love, and happiness which all tie into the American dream, but then she discovers that she has nothing and that she has been corrupted by this specific dream.

She thought she has all she desired but truly realized she had nothing. She has a child, who does not seem important to her at all. The child is never around, which shows a lot about Daisy. When her child was born, Daisy said “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful fool.” (Fitzgerald, 22)

Daisy basically explained that there are limited possibilities for women, and she would have rather had a boy. The baby has to be a beautiful fool in order to be happy and successful. Woman back in the 1920’s all married for money, and not necessarily love. Daisy thought she had loved when she married Tom, but truly in the long run, only came out with money.

With Gatsby, Daisy realized something that broke her heart. When reunited with Gatsby, who she has not seen in about five years Daisy breaks down and starts to cry. “They’re such beautiful shirts, it makes me sad because I’ve never seen such – such beautiful shirts before.” (Fitzgerald, 89) At this time Daisy realizes that she did marry for money and not for love.

She figures out that she could have married for money with Gatsby but would have had love too. The chase for the American dream and the ideal man to be with destroyed Daisy’s happiness.

The ambition for something has thrown Gatsby over the edge. His love and chase for Daisy have taken over his whole life. He feels that he has to live up to the American dream to accomplish what he truly dreams for, which is Daisy. While Gatsby was away fighting in the war, Daisy met Tom and married him.

Daisy had always been rich and Gatsby thought that in order to get Daisy back, he needs to have money so that he would be able to give Daisy anything she wanted. There was a green light where Daisy lived that Gatsby would always look out for.

The green light is of great significance in this novel. It becomes evident that this green light is not Daisy, but a symbol representing Gatsby’s dream of having Daisy. The fact that Daisy falls short of Gatsby’s expectations is obvious. Knowing this, one can see that no matter how hard Gatsby tries to live his fantasy, he will never be able to achieve it.

Through close examination of the green light, one may learn that the force that empowers Gatsby to follow his lifelong aspiration is that of the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses the green light as a symbol of hope, money, and jealousy.  Gatsby looks up to the American dream and follows it so he can be the picture-perfect man that every girl desires.

Gatsby cares a lot about how people see him, and his appearance towards others. He wants everything to look perfect for Daisy, as he wants Daisy to view him as a perfect man. “We both looked down at the grass – there was a sharp line where my ragged lawn ended and the darker, well-kept expanse of his began. I suspected he meant my grass.” (Fitzgerald, 80)

This presents the theme of appearance vs. reality and how Gatsby wants everything to look nice and presentable when he meets up with Daisy for the first time in five years. Gatsby becomes corrupted because his main goal is to have Daisy. He needs to have an enormous mansion so he could feel confident enough to try and get Daisy. Gatsby was blinded by the American dream and as a result of this, cause the destruction of Gatsby himself. He didn’t end up getting what he wanted because the American dream took over who he truly was.

The American dream is a powerful dream that was significant in the novel The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald. It was evident that this dream only truly caused corruption and destruction. The desire for something sometimes causes people to be someone they are not and this usually does not result in a positive outcome.

The American Dream is defined as someone starting low on the economic or social level, and working hard towards prosperity and or wealth and fame. Most characters in the novel The Great Gatsby all wanted money, wealth, and happiness and would do anything in their power to get this.

The Great Gatsby is a novel that shows what happened to the American Dream in the 1920s, which is a time period when the dreams became corrupted. The American dream not only causes corruption but has caused destruction.

Myrtle, Gatsby, and Daisy have all been corrupted and destroyed by the dream and it was clear to be true. Money cannot buy you happiness which is something that the three characters in the novel The Great Gatsby truly did not realize.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH SAVED MY LIFE

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Hi. Please see the Author box.

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Your parenthetical references are incorrect and but the key points were helpful

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REALLY HELPFUL!!!

@bill simpson

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American Icons: The Great Gatsby

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American Icons: The Great Gatsby.

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This hour-long podcast explores F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and how it became the great American story of our age.

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Qualitative

The American Dream

American dream reflections from participants

In our first interview with qualitative participants during the OpenResearch unconditional cash study, we asked them what their hopes and dreams were for their future. Where do you see yourself in three to five years? What does your ideal life look like?

Some participants like Abbie, a single mother living in Texas, described traditional characteristics of the century old idea of the American dream. “I see me in a house with my partner and my children. And I see me being productive, working still, my kids older in school and living a good old life…I’ll still be working, hopefully that supervisor position. I think I’ll be so happy and healthy…I’ll just be, you know, living my American dream.” 

Coined by historian James Truslow Adams, the “American Dream” once referred to "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." For Abbie, her American dream looks like having a house, a job with opportunity for advancement, good health, and happiness for herself and her family. Though for many this traditional idea of the American dream is still very much desired, it is increasingly becoming just that—a dream. Listening to American dream reflections from participants it’s clear that the idea of the American dream has shifted for many from thriving to surviving. We hear participants describe their dream as not having to worry about feeding themselves and their families, having enough gas to get to work, making a liveable wage, having access to medical care, and peace of mind that they can meet their basic needs. This depiction is a far cry from “better and richer and fuller.” 

In April of 2024, Pew Research Center surveyed Americans and found that 53% of people felt the American dream is still possible today, 41% of people felt the American dream was once possible but is no longer a reality, and 6% felt it was never possible. Older and higher-income Americans were the most likely to say it is still achievable today. Conversely, lower-income, younger adults—which align more closely with the demographics of study participants—are less likely to say the American dream is still possible.   

Can anyone who works hard make it and be successful?

Central to the idea of the American dream is the belief that if someone works hard enough, through their own work and determination, they can be successful. We asked qualitative participants whether or not they agreed with this statement. Among participants who answered this question, roughly 40% said they believe this to be true, though many caveat their responses. For example, one participant told us, “I do believe that. I also believe it takes a village.” Another participant responded, “I think it's a hundred percent true. Now, there are certain economical stances, you know…aspects that can make it easier or harder but you know, there's always ways around it.” 

Additionally, some participants who agreed with the idea in theory acknowledged that this did not necessarily align with their own experience. For example, Elise told us, “It's true. If you have the will, then you will do it; but if you don't want to work, then you're not going to have any money at all.” However when asked if this aligned with her experience she responded “not really,” bringing up the fact that she left her job in order to stay home and take care of her children. Although Elise says “this was a choice for me to stay home,” in prior interviews she described how, after working hard to get a certification in medical billing and coding and securing a job that she wanted, she was forced to leave the workforce after her youngest switched to part-time pre-K and Elise could not find childcare that would allow her to maintain employment. 

We find instances of internal contradictions such as this throughout the data, where participants agree that anyone can work hard and make it in theory, yet their own statements or experiences seem in conflict with that belief. Some participants grappled out loud with that contradiction. For example Tara explained, “Despite me not thinking it's true, I very much operate in that mindset. If I work hard, I'm gonna be successful, I'm going to make it. I think it's a bit delusional actually, now that I said it out loud. To think that somehow it’s going to operate differently for me than what it does for the mass majority of the world. But I don't think it's going to change the fact that in an effort to get to where I want to be, I'm still gonna continue to work hard.” 

Under certain conditions, maybe 

For the majority of participants, the answer to this question was not straightforward. Though another ~15% of qualitative participants ultimately agreed with the statement, they acknowledged that it is not universally true and there are conditions which make it easier or more difficult for certain people: social connections, racial and gender identities, and socioeconomic status and upbringing. Some participants brought up factors like physical appearance, skin color, and gender identity. One participant, Winnie, felt her identity as a black woman made it harder for her to get ahead than for a white male, though she did still believe success was achievable for anyone. She told us, “I think anyone can be successful, but there are some people who have to work hard as hell…I'm working twice as hard as the next person. I tell you that. And that's what I've seen over my years…I've been in a male dominant workplace. And then also just being a black woman in a workplace…I could make it, but I just have to work hard as hell."

Natalie, a woman living in Illinois, shared Winnie’s belief that some people have to work harder than others to achieve success. Her parents, who immigrated to America from Mexico, had instilled in her the idea of the American dream. She explained, “I come from immigrant parents and I feel they always teach you to hustle and so whenever I get a new position, that's my mindset. I always hustle, hustle and I do really well, and I get promotions but I feel other people get promotions too without hustling as hard.” When asked if this idea—that anyone can work hard and make it—aligned with her experience, she explained, “If you hustle and you really pride yourself in your work ethic, I think that you can be successful. I think that if you're a race other than white, you have to hustle a little extra hard than a regular white person would hustle. I feel there still is, I guess, that opportunity, I know a lot of successful people that aren't just white, but I feel the hustle is a little extra for the people that aren't.” 

Other participants talked about the importance of socioeconomic status and having access to resources and opportunities. Angel, a Hispanic participant living in Texas, described how economic barriers stood in the way of her success in the past, despite her efforts. “I feel like if you really apply yourself, you can, you can make it. Although sometimes there are things that stand in the way that make it harder, but that doesn't mean that they're completely impossible…sometimes it's like economics…like for me when I couldn't move up in any job that I had, I couldn't move up because I didn't have the transportation or like the money to afford transportation to get to this job to make a higher and livable wage.” 

Still other participants emphasized the fact that who you know matters, the importance of having a support system, and in some instances, “it’s just luck.” 

Then there were the roughly 45% of qualitative participants who answered this question with a resounding no, hard work is not enough for success. Many felt skeptical and some cynical at the idea that anyone who works hard can make it and be successful in America. For them, their personal experiences and observations suggest that this is an idealized vision that doesn’t reflect the current economic conditions or complex realities they have faced, though it may have been true in the past. “I think that that was true in the nineties, but I think the economy has changed drastically because I've worked hard, my girlfriend's worked hard, but we do not have enough money collectively to buy a house,” one participant explained.

Another participant, Sage, felt that the idea that one’s hard work can translate into success is the American dream, but it’s no longer a reality. “The American Dream. I think it is a dream. I don't think, the further along we go, that it's as obtainable as it used to be, maybe in the '80s or the '70s or the '50s. I think it's definitely changed. I don't think it's obtainable anymore. I really don't,” she told us. Garland, a participant living in Texas echoed her sentiments, “I can say that that's not a for sure stance anymore. While it used to be, you know, maybe 50 years ago or a little bit farther back, it's no longer anymore because of inflation.” He further explained, “My parents used to be able to work hard back in the ‘80s…I mean a car was like $10,000 and you could make a $100 a month payment or something. Now, you know, you have a car that's $35,000 and your payments are $500 a month, and you're already paying $500 a month for electricity.”

Many recipients connected the decline of the American dream with the rising cost of living and decades of wage stagnation. Tessa noted, “You work, you work hard to build something…savings for say, you know, a down payment or whatever. But by the time you build up the down payment, houses are 10 times more expensive than they were, than when you started. So, no, I really don't think that. I mean, it does play a part, but I don't think that it's just hard work alone that can determine whether or not you make it or you're successful.”

Another participant, Hannah, pointed out that some jobs do not pay enough to help people get ahead. “It just all goes back to how expensive everything is now and you can be a hard worker, but that doesn't mean anything if you're not getting paid enough to be able to make it in the economy right now…there are tons of jobs out there that will take advantage of people being a hard worker and still pay them the lowest pay they can pay them. So, they're not gonna end up getting ahead anywhere even though they dedicate themselves to their job.”

Despite pessimism regarding the current state of the American dream, some felt that perhaps it could become more of a reality if provided the right types of support. So we asked them what types of programs and policies they feel would be most helpful.

If policymakers were to ask you what kinds of programs or policies would be most helpful, what would you say?

Numerous qualitative participants indicated multiple areas of their lives where support was needed. Cheryl, for example, told us, “I think healthcare and housing and then food obviously. But I think those, those are the three basic—shelter, food, medical care—are the basic, the bare essentials, to even have a shot at thriving.” Though the type of program varied based on participants’ specific needs, a dominant underlying theme across responses was a desire to give people a fair shot at making ends meet for themselves and their families. 

One participant, Maureen, emphasized lowering the cost of living. “Just making like, really what it comes down to is like everyone's standards of living a little bit more affordable…cost of health insurance, cost of prescriptions…I mean also just paying people a livable wage.” Maisie echoed this sentiment: “Our whole country, the economy's kind of not great right now (laughs), so if things costed less money, that would be great.” Multiple participants also expressed a desire to increase the minimum wage.

Another participant, Tessa, said, “Helping young people get into a home and build equity and wealth, instead of making them be lifelong renters, things like that. Like maybe some incentives for starting families because it's kind of de-incentivized with how expensive everything is…they always say, oh, you know, the population's dying. Well, yeah, no wonder why, because everything's so expensive and nobody can afford to have kids.” 

We asked Tessa if she wanted to grow her family and she responded, “I would love to get married and have children, but unfortunately due to economic factors…this situation with the prices rising and homes being pretty unattainable that, uh, it's a lot harder.” She was not the only participant who expressed a desire to grow their family, but felt unable to due to their financial situations. 

For parents, affordable child care was a common theme. “You know, I have to work 40 hours a week to be told that I make too much, but yet I'm still below the poverty level,” said one participant. “I'm going out to work, I'm putting all this effort and time in away from my kids, away from my house but yet I'm still unable to truly afford childcare. I'm still truly unable to afford food and, you know, or certain foods that could really benefit us. So I would say those would be my two big ones.” Even some participants who were not parents expressed the need for more affordable childcare, reflecting on how lack of access to childcare is a major barrier for many families. 

From caps on college tuition and more affordable healthcare to lower rent and cheaper groceries, many participants described how these supports could restore the possibility that anyone who works hard can support themselves and their families. An underlying sentiment was that people want to be able to make it on their own. As one participant, Charlotte, articulated, “education, healthcare, better assistance. I mean…not even more assistance, but like better assistance. Like, you know, help people become more self-sufficient.”

Numerous participants drew on their experience receiving the unconditional cash to explain what was important to them in future programs and policies. Something we heard often was that recipients felt the unconditional cash provided a foundation of stability and security necessary to make it on their own. Many reflected on the increased agency they felt while receiving the cash, and voiced a desire for future programs that would provide similar support and stability, increasing the possibility they could do better for themselves and their families. For many, the unconditional cash provided them some hope that with the right type of support perhaps the American dream of economic mobility would not feel so out of reach.  

Audio: Reflections from participants included in the audio are distinct from the qualitative interview data used in analysis for the written article. Audio content executive produced by Rebecca Sananès. 

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The American Dream in The Great Gatsby: a Pursuit of Illusion

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Analytical Essay Thesis

Analytical essay thesis statement generator.

Analytical essays delve deep into the intricacies of a subject, offering insightful interpretations and evaluations. At the heart of these essays lies the analytical thesis statement – a crucial element that encapsulates the analytical perspective you’ll explore. This guide explores a range of analytical thesis statement examples, guiding you through the process of creating thought-provoking statements. Learn to dissect complex subjects, develop critical arguments, and master the art of crafting compelling analytical thesis statements.

What is an Analytical Thesis Statement? – Definition

An analytical thesis statement is a concise declaration that outlines the main focus of an analytical essay. It presents the central argument or analysis the essay will explore, providing a roadmap for readers to understand the specific perspective, interpretation, or evaluation the writer intends to present. Unlike other types of thesis statements, an analytical thesis statement does not simply present a fact but delves into the “how” and “why” of a subject.

What is an Example of an Analytical Thesis Statement?

Example: “In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby,’ Jay Gatsby’s excessive pursuit of wealth and social status serves as a commentary on the illusory nature of the American Dream, highlighting the emptiness and moral decay that often accompany unchecked ambition.”

In this analytical thesis statement, the focus is on analyzing the character of Jay Gatsby and his actions as a reflection of larger themes within the novel. The strong thesis statement goes beyond a surface-level observation and delves into the deeper analysis of Gatsby’s character and its symbolic significance in relation to the American Dream.

100 Analytical Thesis Statement Examples

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• “The film ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ employs nonlinear narrative structure to delve into the complexities of memory, love, and human connection.”
• “Through the lens of Marxist theory, George Orwell’s ‘1984’ unveils a dystopian world that critiques totalitarianism and the manipulation of truth.”
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• “Through intricate narrative structure and character development, ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez explores the cyclical nature of history and human experience.”
• “The painting ‘Starry Night’ by Vincent van Gogh conveys the artist’s emotional turmoil and inner conflict through its vivid color palette and swirling forms.”
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• “Exploring the use of metaphors and allegory in ‘Animal Farm,’ George Orwell satirizes political ideologies and the corruption of power.”
• “The poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost delves into the concept of choices and regret, using a diverging path as a metaphor for life’s decisions.”
• “Analyzing the historical context and literary techniques in ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ John Steinbeck critiques the exploitation of the working class during the Great Depression.”
• “In Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein,’ the creature’s isolation and rejection serve as a commentary on the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.”
• “Through visual elements and composition, Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ conveys a sense of mystery and psychological depth, captivating viewers for centuries.”
• “Analyzing the use of irony and social commentary in Jonathan Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal,’ one can understand his satirical critique of British colonialism.”
• “The play ‘Death of a Salesman’ by Arthur Miller explores the disillusionment of the American Dream through the tragic downfall of the protagonist Willy Loman.”
• “Through the lens of feminist theory, Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ critiques the societal constraints placed on women’s mental and emotional well-being.”
• “Analyzing the motifs of light and darkness in Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness,’ one can interpret them as representations of morality and the human psyche.”
• “Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’ uses unreliable narration and symbolism to delve into the narrator’s descent into madness and guilt.”
• “In the film ‘Citizen Kane,’ Orson Welles employs non-linear storytelling and deep focus cinematography to explore the enigmatic life of the titular character.”
• “Analyzing the use of repetition and imagery in Langston Hughes’ ‘Dream Deferred,’ one can interpret the poem as a commentary on the consequences of unfulfilled dreams.”
• “Through allegorical elements and character interactions, William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ examines the inherent capacity for savagery within human nature.”
• “The painting ‘Guernica’ by Pablo Picasso serves as a powerful anti-war statement, depicting the horrors of conflict and the suffering of innocent civilians.”
• “Analyzing the themes of identity and societal conformity in Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Namesake,’ one can uncover the struggles faced by immigrant families in adapting to new cultures.”
• “In ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde, the portrait serves as a symbol of the protagonist’s moral decay and the consequences of pursuing eternal youth.”
• “Analyzing the use of color symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby,’ one can interpret colors as reflections of characters’ personalities and societal decadence.”
• “Through the examination of allegorical elements in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm,’ one can uncover the representation of historical events and political ideologies.”
• “In ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley, the dystopian society’s use of technology and conditioning raises questions about the cost of sacrificing individuality for stability.”
• “Analyzing the character of Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth,’ one can discern her ambition-driven transformation and the psychological toll of her actions.
• “In ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen, the social commentary and character interactions illuminate the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era.”
• “Analyzing the use of religious symbolism in Herman Melville’s ‘Moby-Dick,’ one can interpret the white whale as a representation of the unattainable and the divine.”
• “The film ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ explores themes of hope and redemption through the friendship between two inmates, offering a commentary on the human spirit.”
• “Analyzing the motif of the American Dream in ‘The Great Gatsby,’ F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the pursuit of materialism and the illusion of social mobility.”
• “In ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare, the tragic downfall of the titular character is driven by jealousy and manipulation, revealing the destructive power of unchecked emotions.”
• “Analyzing the use of symbolism in T.S. Eliot’s poem ‘The Waste Land,’ one can interpret various images and references as reflections of societal decay and spiritual desolation.”
• “The painting ‘American Gothic’ by Grant Wood conveys a complex narrative through the stern expressions and juxtaposition of the farmer and his daughter.”
• “Analyzing the character development in Jane Eyre’s journey, Charlotte Brontë examines themes of independence, feminism, and self-discovery.”
• “In ‘The Metamorphosis’ by Franz Kafka, the protagonist’s transformation into a giant insect serves as a metaphor for alienation and the absurdity of modern life.”
• “Analyzing the use of foreshadowing and symbolism in William Faulkner’s ‘A Rose for Emily,’ one can interpret the decayed mansion as a representation of the past and its lingering impact.”
• “Through allegorical elements in ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho, one can uncover themes of personal legend and the transformative power of following one’s dreams.”
• “Analyzing the narrative structure in Gabriel García Márquez’s ‘Chronicle of a Death Foretold,’ one can discern the multi-perspective exploration of truth and collective guilt.”
• “The sculpture ‘The Thinker’ by Auguste Rodin captures the contemplative nature of human thought and the complexity of philosophical introspection.”
• “Analyzing the use of irony and satire in Voltaire’s ‘Candide,’ one can interpret the protagonist’s misadventures as a commentary on the irrationality of human behavior.”
• “Through the exploration of nature and human experience in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essays, transcendentalism emerges as a celebration of individual intuition and connection.”
• “Analyzing the use of narrative structure in Vladimir Nabokov’s ‘Lolita,’ one can discern the unreliable narration that challenges readers’ perceptions of truth and morality.”
• “In ‘The Awakening’ by Kate Chopin, the protagonist’s journey towards self-discovery and liberation reflects the constraints placed on women in the 19th-century society.”
• “Analyzing the use of dramatic monologue in Robert Browning’s ‘My Last Duchess,’ one can uncover the psychological complexity and possessive nature of the speaker.”
• “Through allegorical elements and philosophical themes in Albert Camus’ ‘The Stranger,’ the protagonist’s indifference to societal norms questions the absurdity of existence.”
• “Analyzing the use of myth and symbolism in Toni Morrison’s ‘Beloved,’ one can interpret the haunting presence of the titular character as a representation of historical trauma.”
• “In ‘Crime and Punishment’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the psychological turmoil of the protagonist Raskolnikov reflects the tension between morality and rationality.”
• “Analyzing the narrative techniques in Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children,’ one can discern the blending of history and magical realism to explore India’s postcolonial identity.”
• “Through the examination of imagery and metaphor in Sylvia Plath’s poetry, themes of mental illness, identity, and gender roles come to the forefront.”
• “Analyzing the use of symbolism in E.M. Forster’s ‘A Passage to India,’ one can interpret the Marabar Caves as a metaphor for the complexity of cultural misunderstandings.”
• “The short story ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson employs irony and social commentary to critique blind adherence to tradition and the potential for collective cruelty.”
• “Analyzing the use of allegory in John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress,’ one can interpret the protagonist’s journey as a representation of spiritual enlightenment and salvation.”
• “In ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ by Zora Neale Hurston, the protagonist Janie’s journey towards self-discovery reflects her search for autonomy and empowerment.”
• “Analyzing the use of literary devices in Gabriel García Márquez’s ‘Love in the Time of Cholera,’ one can uncover the exploration of enduring love and the passage of time.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Franz Kafka’s ‘The Trial,’ one can interpret the absurdity of the bureaucratic legal system as a commentary on the human struggle for control.”
• “Analyzing the use of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ one can discern the tragic irony that underscores the lovers’ fate and the societal feud.”
• “In ‘The Road’ by Cormac McCarthy, the post-apocalyptic landscape serves as a metaphor for the fragility of human existence and the pursuit of hope.”
• “Analyzing the themes of colonization and cultural clash in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart,’ one can interpret the protagonist Okonkwo’s downfall as a representation of societal upheaval.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Jack London’s ‘To Build a Fire,’ the protagonist’s struggle against nature serves as a reflection of human hubris and vulnerability.”
• “In ‘Invisible Man’ by Ralph Ellison, the protagonist’s invisibility becomes a metaphor for social marginalization and the dehumanizing effects of racial prejudice.”
• “Analyzing the use of motifs and symbolism in Kate Chopin’s ‘The Story of an Hour,’ one can interpret the protagonist’s liberation as a commentary on societal expectations.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Franz Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis,’ one can interpret the protagonist’s transformation as a representation of alienation and the absurdity of modern life.”
• “In ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ by Jonathan Swift, the protagonist’s encounters with different societies serve as satirical commentaries on various aspects of human behavior.”
• “Analyzing the use of symbolism in William Faulkner’s ‘As I Lay Dying,’ one can interpret the journey to bury Addie Bundren’s body as a representation of family dynamics and individual motivations.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Herman Melville’s ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener,’ one can interpret the enigmatic character Bartleby as a representation of passive resistance and societal alienation.”
• “In ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood, the dystopian society serves as a critique of patriarchal control and the erosion of women’s rights.”
• “Analyzing the use of foreshadowing and symbolism in Shirley Jackson’s ‘The Haunting of Hill House,’ one can interpret the house itself as a representation of psychological trauma.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Albert Camus’ ‘The Plague,’ one can interpret the outbreak of plague as a metaphor for the absurdity of human existence and the inevitability of suffering.”
• “In ‘The Sun Also Rises’ by Ernest Hemingway, the Lost Generation’s disillusionment serves as a commentary on the aftermath of World War I.”
• “Analyzing the use of metaphors and allegory in John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost,’ one can interpret Satan’s rebellion as a representation of the dangers of pride and ambition.”
• “Through allegorical elements in H.G. Wells’ ‘The Time Machine,’ one can interpret the protagonist’s journey to the distant future as a commentary on societal evolution and the consequences of unchecked progress.”
• “In ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë, the tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine serves as a metaphor for the destructive power of passionate obsession.”
• “Analyzing the use of irony and satire in Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,’ one can interpret the river as a symbol of freedom and a commentary on the racial tensions of the time.”
• “Through allegorical elements in John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men,’ one can interpret the dream of owning a piece of land as a representation of companionship and the American Dream.”
• “In ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini, the protagonist’s journey towards redemption serves as a commentary on guilt, betrayal, and the complexities of friendship.”
• “Analyzing the use of symbolism in Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World,’ one can interpret the conditioning and drug-induced happiness as a representation of societal control and the loss of individuality.”
• “Through allegorical elements in William Golding’s ‘Lord of the Flies,’ the descent into savagery among the stranded boys serves as a commentary on the inherent darkness within humanity.”
• “In Gabriel García Márquez’s ‘Love in the Time of Cholera,’ the protagonist’s enduring love and pursuit of lost opportunities serve as a reflection of the passage of time and the complexities of relationships.”
• “Analyzing the use of narrative structure in Leo Tolstoy’s ‘Anna Karenina,’ one can discern the parallel narratives of different characters as a commentary on societal norms and the consequences of personal choices.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Franz Kafka’s ‘The Castle,’ one can interpret the protagonist’s futile attempts to reach the inaccessible castle as a representation of the human struggle for meaning and belonging.”
• “In George Orwell’s ‘Down and Out in Paris and London,’ the protagonist’s experiences of poverty and social alienation serve as a commentary on the disparities within society.”
• “Analyzing the use of symbolism in E.E. Cummings’ poetry, one can interpret his innovative typography and language as a representation of individualism and breaking away from convention.”
• “Through allegorical elements in Jean-Paul Sartre’s play ‘No Exit,’ the characters’ confinement in a room becomes a metaphor for existential anguish and the consequences of human choices.”
• “In William Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar,’ the manipulation of public opinion serves as a commentary on the dynamics of power, loyalty, and the consequences of political ambition.

Analytical Essay Thesis Statement Example for High School

An analytical essay’s thesis statement for high school  sets the stage for the examination of a topic, delving into its complexities and drawing insights based on evidence.

• In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the theme of fate challenges the power of free will as seen through the tragic end of the young lovers.
• The portrayal of friendship in “The Outsiders” demonstrates the significance of social class divides in the 1960s.
• Through symbolism and imagery, Emily Dickinson’s poems convey profound themes about life, death, and eternity.
• Atticus Finch’s moral integrity in “To Kill a Mockingbird” stands as a beacon of hope in a racially divided society.
• “Lord of the Flies” uses the island as a microcosm to examine the inherent evil in human nature.
• George Orwell’s “1984” delves deep into the dangers of totalitarian governments and the loss of individuality.
• The character development of Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice” sheds light on the societal constraints of women during the Regency era.
• “The Catcher in the Rye” critiques the phoniness of adulthood while highlighting the vulnerability of adolescence.
• The journey of Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” is a testament to personal growth and the discovery of inner courage.
• In “Fahrenheit 451,” Bradbury warns about the consequences of censorship and the loss of intellectual freedom.

Analytical Essay Thesis Statement Example for Middle School

Middle school thesis statements for analytical essays examine topics in a straightforward manner, building critical thinking skills.

• “Bridge to Terabithia” shows that friendship can help overcome personal challenges and grief.
• The challenges faced by Percy Jackson highlight the complexities of growing up with a unique identity.
• Matilda uses her intellect and supernatural powers to combat negativity and find her place in the world.
• “The Giver” reveals the dangers of a seemingly perfect society devoid of memories and emotions.
• Through “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” the Pevensie siblings learn about bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty.
• In “Holes,” the interwoven stories demonstrate the impact of family legacies and the power of redemption.
• “Charlotte’s Web” uses the farm setting to explore themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life.
• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” humorously addresses the challenges and intricacies of middle school life.
• Through “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” Rowling discusses the importance of choices in shaping one’s destiny.
• “A Wrinkle in Time” showcases the battle between good and evil, emphasizing the power of love.

Analytical Essay Thesis Statement Example for College

College-level thesis statements delve deeper into complex topics, offering nuanced insights and arguments.

• “Moby Dick” serves as a profound exploration of obsession, illustrating its destructive consequences and moral ambiguities.
• In “The Great Gatsby,” Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream, revealing its inherent flaws and the disillusionment of the Jazz Age.
• “One Hundred Years of Solitude” portrays the cyclical nature of history through the Buendía family’s experiences.
• Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse” delves into the human consciousness, capturing fleeting emotions and moments.
• In “Brave New World,” Huxley showcases the dehumanizing effects of technological advancements and societal uniformity.
• “Heart of Darkness” explores the impact of colonialism, presenting a dark reflection on human nature and moral corruption.
• Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” addresses the haunting legacy of slavery and its lasting psychological effects.
• Through “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Atwood critiques patriarchal societies, illustrating the dangers of religious extremism and loss of female agency.
• “Crime and Punishment” offers a deep psychological analysis of guilt and redemption through Raskolnikov’s actions and motivations.
• Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” provides an existential view of alienation and identity crisis in the modern world.

Analytical Essay Thesis Statement Example for Beginners

Beginner-level thesis statements offer clear and simple insights, setting the foundation for deeper analytical thinking.

• “The Little Prince” teaches readers about the importance of relationships and seeing with the heart.
• “Charlotte’s Web” illustrates the value of friendship and the inevitability of life’s cycles.
• “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” uses vibrant illustrations to show the process of metamorphosis in nature.
• In “Where the Wild Things Are,” Max learns about emotions and the comfort of home.
• “The Rainbow Fish” highlights the joy of sharing and the essence of true beauty.
• “Green Eggs and Ham” humorously emphasizes the idea of trying new things and overcoming initial hesitations.
• Through “The Cat in the Hat,” Dr. Seuss illustrates the fun and chaos that arise from breaking rules.
• “Goodnight Moon” uses repetitive structure and rhymes to convey the calming ritual of bedtime.
• “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” introduces young readers to colors and animals through patterned text.
• “Corduroy” portrays the desire for belonging and the importance of friendship and acceptance.

How do you start an analytical thesis?

Starting an analytical thesis requires a clear understanding of the topic, a comprehensive evaluation of the relevant materials, and identifying the primary elements to be analyzed.

• Select a Topic: The first step in starting an analytical thesis is to select a specific topic or aspect you want to explore in-depth.
• Research the Topic: Before drafting your thesis, it’s important to delve into your topic. Familiarize yourself with the primary sources, secondary analyses, and any related discussions.
• Identify a Focus: Determine the specific aspect of the topic you want to analyze. This could be a character in a novel, a historical event’s cause and effect, or a particular trend in science.
• Ask Analytical Questions: Pose questions that will guide your analysis. For example, “What is the significance of this character’s actions?” or “How does this event influence the larger narrative?”

What makes a good analytical thesis?

A good analytical thesis possesses several characteristics:

• Clear and Concise: A thesis should clearly convey your main argument without being overly wordy.
• Specific: It should narrow down your topic to a specific aspect or element that can be thoroughly explored in your essay.
• Arguable: A good thesis presents an argument or an interpretation that could be challenged by others.
• Evidence-Based: It should be based on evidence from the source material.
• Relevant: The thesis should be pertinent to the assignment or topic at hand.
• Original: Your thesis should offer a fresh perspective or insight, rather than simply stating the obvious.

How do you write a thesis statement for an analytical essay? – Step by Step Guide

• Read Your Source Material: Engage with your primary source, noting key elements, themes, or patterns that emerge.
• Identify Your Main Argument: What primary message or insight do you wish to convey about your topic?
• Gather Supporting Evidence: List down the pieces of evidence from the source that support your main argument.
• Formulate a Working Thesis: Draft a tentative thesis statement that encapsulates your main argument and supporting evidence.
• Refine and Narrow: Make sure your thesis is specific and focuses on a particular aspect of your topic.
• Ensure It’s Debatable: Your thesis should present a perspective or interpretation that can be debated.
• Seek Feedback: Discuss your thesis with peers, instructors, or mentors to get feedback and further refine it.
• Finalize the Statement: Once refined, finalize your thesis statement, ensuring it accurately represents your analytical insights.

Tips for Writing an Analytical Thesis Statement Example

• Start Broad, then Narrow Down: Begin with a broad perspective on your topic and then hone in on the specific area you want to analyze.
• Avoid Subjectivity: While an analytical thesis represents your interpretation, it should be based on evidence and not personal biases.
• Stay Active: Use active voice for a more assertive and clear thesis.
• Revisit and Revise: As you write your essay, you might find more insights that can refine your thesis. Be open to revisiting and tweaking your statement.
• Avoid Vague Language: Words like “might,” “could,” or “possibly” can weaken your thesis. Be assertive in your statement.
• Test Your Thesis: A good practice is to try to counter-argue your thesis. If you can find valid counter-arguments, it might be too weak or broad.
• Keep it Focused: Your thesis should only cover what you will discuss in your essay, not introduce new topics.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Write multiple versions of your thesis before settling on the final one. This practice will help you refine your analytical skills over time.

An analytical essay thesis statement is the cornerstone of any analytical essay, offering a concise insight into the writer’s analysis. Crafting it requires a clear understanding of the topic, supporting evidence, and a focused approach. By adopting best practices and refining one’s skills, a writer can effectively convey their analytical insights, enhancing the overall impact of their essay.

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