Humanities Through the Arts: Artistic Criticism

The Roaring Twenties was a time of exuberance like none other, where people and America’s society focused on self-indulgence and happiness like never before. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is the ideal portrayal of this time era. In a time shortly after war, this novel captures the audience, forcing them to participate in the setting and with the characters. Jay Gatsby, the focal point of this novel, is used as a representation of this era in American history and as an example of the pursuit of the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses vivid diction that captivates the reader and his symbolism creates a lasting, universal impression for all who pick up the novel. Throughout the following, I will use Fitzgerald’s diction, symbolism, and themes to criticize this novel through descriptive, interpretive, and evaluative criticism. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, American’s are guaranteed certain unalienable rights, among them are “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Since the beginning of our wonderful country, it has been the American dream to pursue happiness, in whichever form appeals to the person searching for it. Jay Gatsby is the quintessential model of a wealthy man during this age, undergoing his own pursuit of happiness. Fitzgerald chooses not to simply write about this character Jay Gatsby, but instead narrate his legacy through the eyes of Nick Carraway. Nick Carraway lives in the house next to Jay Gatsby’s, as he recently escaped from his Midwest lifestyle to the town of West Egg, New York. By using Nick as the narrator for this story, Fitzgerald is able to display exactly what the lives’ of Jay Gatsby and many other whimsical citizens were like from an outside point of view. In this work of art, Fitzgerald uses prominent symbols such as, the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes of Dr T.J. Eckleburg. These symbols allow the audience to truly participate in the literature, and decide for