Top 100 Literature Essay Topics - 2023

The portrayal of social mobility in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is a novel that explores the American Dream and the pursuit of social mobility. Through his portrayal of characters and their relationships, Fitzgerald presents a critique of the social and economic structures of the 1920s and the ways in which they can both facilitate and hinder upward mobility.

One of the key artistic elements that Fitzgerald employs in "The Great Gatsby" is his use of symbolism to represent social status and mobility. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald uses images of wealth and material possessions to convey the idea of social class and status. For example, the extravagant parties at Gatsby's mansion are a symbol of his wealth and status, while the green light across the bay represents Gatsby's dream of upward mobility and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Fitzgerald also uses the relationships between characters to explore the theme of social mobility. The character of Jay Gatsby, in particular, is a symbol of the pursuit of upward mobility. Gatsby comes from humble beginnings and rises to wealth and power through illegal means, including bootlegging and other criminal activities. However, despite his wealth and status, Gatsby is never fully accepted into the upper echelons of society, as evidenced by the snobbery and elitism of characters such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan.

Another important artistic element in "The Great Gatsby" is Fitzgerald's use of setting to highlight the theme of social mobility. The juxtaposition of the glamorous world of the wealthy with the poverty and squalor of the Valley of Ashes serves to underscore the divide between the rich and the poor, and the difficulty of moving between social classes. The fact that characters such as Gatsby and Nick Carraway are able to move between these two worlds highlights the possibility of social mobility, but also suggests the challenges and obstacles that come with it.

Ultimately, Fitzgerald's portrayal of social mobility in "The Great Gatsby" is a critique of the American Dream and the pursuit of wealth and status. Despite the promise of upward mobility, the novel suggests that the pursuit of these goals can be hollow and ultimately unfulfilling, as evidenced by the tragic fate of Gatsby. Through his use of symbolism, character relationships, and setting, Fitzgerald presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of social mobility in the early 20th century.