Themes

Here is the final analysis:

A possibly major theme in “The Great Gatsby” can be “The quest for money”. The majority of the characters is wealthy and lives in spectacular houses. There is also a focus on money during the whole story. Nick, Daisy and Tom belong to rich families. Gatsby has in contrary earned all his money by himself. But his money is not legally earned.

“However glorious might be his future as Jay Gatsby, he was a penniless young man without a past, and at any moment the invisible cloak of his uniform might slip from his shoulders.”  Page 154-155

The quote shows that Gatsby thought he would not be enough for Daisy, like they are not at the same level. Ever since he first met her he has dreamt that she one day will be his wife. To make the dream come true he thinks he needs to have a lot of money and maybe he needs that. Anyhow are all his actions like the money, the house, and the parties; they are all just to please Daisy.

“’Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.’” Page 85

“ He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths – so that he could ‘come over’ some afternoon to a stranger’s garden.” Page 85

In the book a green light is mentioned a several times. The green light is from a dock which belongs to Tom and Daisy.

“But I didn’t call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone – 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 afar away, that might have been the end of a dock.” Page 27-28

Possibly it symbolizes something. It can possibly symbolize Gatsby’s dream of Daisy. The green color maybe also has a meaning.

Other possible themes can be “Dreams” and “Love”. But to reach his dream, which is love, he thinks money will make the dream come true. Therefore “Dreams” and “Love” can be seen as two minor themes.

In the end Gatsby is the one who fails, the money does not make the dream come true. Instead his dream is destroyed when he first loses Daisy and finally dies. Maybe Fitzgerald massage was that money not can make you reach your dreams.