Comparing The Great Gatsby And The Jelly Bean

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, The Great Gatsby, and his short story called The Jelly Bean both give readers an insight to what the 1920’s were about and how times have drastically changed. Fitzgerald utilizes the effects of symbolism, irony and foreshadowing through both works to help him get his points across to the readers. The works that Fitzgerald has written showcase the “American Dream” and how wealth and class influence everyone’s decisions and attitudes. By using foreshadowing, irony and symbolism, F. Scott Fitzgerald captures the way of life during the 1920’s and the importance of wealth.
“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
“Absolutely real- have pages and everything. I thought they’d be nice durable cardboard. Matter of fact, they’re absolutely real. Pages and- here! Lemme show you.” Fitzgerald includes Owl Eyes to show that everything that Gatsby owns and does is mainly used to compliment his image, reputation and to impress all. Gatsby’s desire to impress everyone can also be seen during chapter 5 when Daisy sees Gatsby’s collection of shirts, Daisy supposedly falls in love with him again but it is obvious that she only loves his wealth. The Jelly Bean uses foreshadowing to hint at the idea that Jim will fall in love with Nancy, this is seen when Jim starts running into his old friends before the war. When he runs into Nancy he wishes he knew how to dance as a way to impress her. Jim also hints that he will make himself worth something in order to win Nancy after finding out that she is to marry a man who is wealthy from his father. After learning of Nancy’s marriage, Jim realizes that it is the man’s wealth that made her want to marry him and so he plans to become worth something, too. “So Nancy Lamar was going to marry. This toast of a town was to become the private property of an individual in white trousers- and all because white trousers’ father had made a better razor than his neighbor. As they
Scott Fitzgerald outlined the events and lifestyles of the roaring 20s through his writings “The Great Gatsby” and “The Jelly Bean”, readers learn that wealth and class effected all the decisions and events that occurred. Jim and Gatsby, from the two works, had drastically different lives but had a lot in common when it came to people and how their story ended. Both used wealth and status as a way of gauging someone’s worth, both of them saw wealth and property as a way to get the girl and both ended up losing it all together. By using foreshadowing, irony and symbolism, F. Scott Fitzgerald captures the way of life during the 1920’s and the importance of