The Great Gatsby Novel Study

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a timeless American classic that captures the glamour, illusions, and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties. Set in 1920s New York, the novel follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his unrelenting pursuit of the American Dream, symbolized by his love for Daisy Buchanan. Through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway, readers witness a world of lavish parties, ambition, disillusionment, and the fragile nature of dreams. In this course, students will explore the historical and cultural backdrop of the Jazz Age, analyzing themes such as the American Dream, wealth and class, identity, morality, and the gap between appearance and reality. Through close reading, character analysis, symbolism study, and class discussion, students will examine Fitzgerald’s elegant prose and the deeper social critiques embedded within the novel. With its emotional depth, layered imagery, and enduring relevance, The Great Gatsby enhances students’ literary analysis skills and encourages meaningful reflection on dreams, choices, and the human condition.