Gatsby 3

1. Is the book about the American Dream?
      I believe that the book is in a way a commentary about the American dream. In the novel, many characters, like Gatsby, have in a way, accomplished what a large part of the Amerian dream is. Gatsby has become educated, fought in a war, and become rich, powerful, and become highly esteemed. However, he still is generally unhappy, and is in pursuit of Daisy throughout. What Fitzgerald was saying is that becoming rich should not be the ultimate goal of life.
2. Why was it set in NYC?
      Because the novel focuses on the American dream, setting it in a place where the American dream was such a major focus at the time only makes sense. In New York, in the 20s, wealth and power were important and sought after, and people had no problem expressing and showing it off. Gatsby throwing his parties are a perfect example of this.
3. What is the theme?
      I believe that one theme to this novel is that the American dream, which is pursuing high class and material things does not yield happiness. Gatsby, who is the focus of the novel, has effectively achieved the American dream. However, Gatsby is still unhappy, for he does not have Daisy. This book also has a theme which is that people are never happy with what they have. Many people in the book are not happy with what they have, even though they have everything most people could have asked for.
4. Why Nick?
      The use of Nick as a narrator allowed Fitzgerald to put a spin on anything that happened because it is dictated through a character's mind. In this way, Fitzgerald could control who we did or did not like, such as Gatsby, who he idolized. Also, Nick, who was not nearly as rich as Gatsby, seemed happier. This goes to prove my aforementioned theme.