F. Scott Fitzgerald, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1896, is a literary figure whose life and works have been deeply intertwined with the pursuit of the American Dream. This theme is most prominently embodied in his quintessential novel, The Great Gatsby, published in 1925. Through this narrative, Fitzgerald critiques the opulence and moral decay of the Jazz Age, weaving a complex tale of ambition, romance, and disillusionment.

The Making of The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald aspired to craft a story that was "extraordinary and beautiful," a vision realized in The Great Gatsby. The novel captures the essence of its time, a period marked by wealth, power, and the inevitable corruption that follows. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, it tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made man whose life is a testament to the American ideal of self-invention.

Character and Illusion

Gatsby himself is a character driven by dreams, particularly his relentless pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, emblematic of his hope and idealism. Despite his vast wealth, Gatsby remains a romantic idealist, portrayed through Nick Carraway's narrative as possessing "an extraordinary gift for hope [and] a romantic readiness." The story unfolds through Nick’s memories, making the narrative both selective and unreliable, blurring the lines between truth and illusion.

Symbolism and Themes

The novel's themes extend beyond personal ambition to a broader critique of American society. Fitzgerald uses symbols such as Dr. T. J. Eckleburg's eyes and the contrasting settings of East and West Egg to explore class differences and the corrupted American Dream. The valley of ashes, a wasteland traversed by the characters, represents the moral decay lying beneath the glittering surface of wealth and privilege.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, The Great Gatsby garnered praise from critics like Lionel Trilling and William Rose Benét. Despite this acclaim, the novel struggled commercially, and Fitzgerald found himself in debt. Yet, over time, the novel achieved recognition as a masterpiece, its themes and symbolism remaining relevant to successive generations. Comparisons have been drawn between Fitzgerald's work and the poetry of John Keats, and his novel has been studied alongside T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land and Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.

Artistry and Analysis

In the decades following Fitzgerald's death, his works, especially The Great Gatsby, experienced a revival. Critics increasingly focused on the novel's artistry rather than just its historical and biographical context. This shift in perspective has allowed for a deeper appreciation of Fitzgerald's narrative techniques and the intricate patterns he wove into his storytelling.