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Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' / Gatsby's Desire for Daisy
exploring why Gatsby had such an obsessive desire for Daisy. ...
Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' / Gatsby's Desire for Daisy
exploring why Gatsby had such an obsessive desire for Daisy. ...
The Great Gatsby: Realism. The Great ... rest. One of The Great Gatsby's best
qualities is Fitzgerald's incredible use of realism. This ...
Title Of The Great Gatsby. Gatsby’s Greatness There is much controversy on why F.
Scott Fitzgerald chose his masterpiece to be title The Great Gatsby. ...
The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby was a novel written by
an American author named F. Scott Fitzgerald in the 1930s. ...
Submitted by sneakymeeky on May 3, 2005
Category: American History
Words: 467 | Pages: 2
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Religious Influences in The Great Gatsby
During the 1920s, sometimes referred to as the Progressive Era, political and social changes surfaced in society in efforts to progressively improve the nation. However, the 1920's can accurately be described as the decade of selfishness. Society was material oriented and, as a result, there was a decrease in religious practices. This is vividly displayed in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald's use of mortal characters as religious influences.
There are three significant occurrences in the novel which show the loss of spirituality of the time, beginning with Gatsby's watch over Daisy the night of the hit and run. Gatsby spends the entire night watching for Daisy's sign, just as knights risked their lives in pursuit of the Holy Grail. His desire for Daisy to come for his help and "live happily ever after" with him is misplaced because of the goal he hopes to attain: Daisy.
Next, there is underlying symbolism presented shortly before Gatsby's death as he struggles with the swimming equipment. When offered assistance from his butler, Gatsby refuses and must "bear the cross" alone. Finally, Gatsby's murder is portrayed as a process of purification, which is of great religious importance. Shot in his chlorinated pool, Gatsby overcomes his shortcomings and is "cleansed" of his sins.
The immoral efforts that were put against American pop culture in the 1920s are best summarized as Wilson stares into the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg of a vast wasteland, "You may fool me, but you can't fool God!" His neighbor must remind him, "That's an...
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