The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald - 1879 Words

The Great Gatsby is often considered to be the great American novel. However, this notion must be challenged because the ideas that F. Scott Fitzgerald presents in his classic masterpiece clash with the distinctly â€Å"American† ideologies that citizens of this great country have been spoon-fed since birth. Ideas such as capitalism, the American Dream, and self-actualization are presented in one form or another and then systematically dismantled to show just how fragile they really are. In his famous novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald emphasizes the despondency of class struggle and other Marxist ideologies through literary devices such as setting, imagery, and character development. Ultimately, Fitzgerald offers a negative critique on how social†¦show more content†¦The story arc follows the rise and fall of the summer months; including massive parties that take place at Jay’s mansion and the rekindling of their previous romance. All of these events are set agai nst the backdrop of a time when the rich prosper and the poor wallow in continuous poverty. Or, in the immortal melodies of Mr. Klipspringer, â€Å"In the morning, In the Evening, Ain’t we got fun—One thing’s sure and nothing’s surer, The rich get richer and the poor get—children† (Fitzgerald 95). To begin, it is pertinent to examine the conditions of the working class poor to which Fitzgerald is comparing his gang of upper crust personalities. This group of individuals is headlined by everyman George Wilson, the owner of an automotive repair shop in the Valley of Ashes. The Valley of Ashes is a stretch of land between the Eggs and New York City that is barren and filthy. â€Å"A fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air† (23). This desolate place is the home of the labor force that powers the industrial endeavors throughout the New York City area. This is an excellent example of how Fitzgerald uses setting to convey his perception of the class struggle. The men and women in