The aim of this paper is to analyze what message F. Scott Fitzgerald as a modernist writer tries to convey to his readership through the employment of the theme of adultery in his 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. To create a basis, I will shortly present literary modernism and adultery as a theme and establish a profound link between them. Furthermore, I will offer a short overview of how marriage, family, and divorce developed in the U.S. over time. Most importantly however, based on the assumption that committing adultery fulfils different functions in the novel, I will present Daisy Buchanan’s and Myrtle Wilson’s motivations pushing them to do it.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Western world went through a process of change and became more modern. Industrialization and its rapidly growing cities led society to shake off Victorian ideals and principles. Also, the Great War from 1914 to 1918 changed people forever. Although it was at first considered to be a great adventure and brought about the empowerment of women, it left countries and societies in a profound crisis and raised endless questions. New ways of coping with reality in this age of uncertainty were needed. The literary genre which today is called modernism dealt with this era particularly through experimenting with literary forms and styles.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American modernist writer of the Lost Generation who produced five novels, four collections of short stories, and over 150 short stories, and dedicated his life to depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age. His accurate and posthumously celebrated representations of the societal corruption of the roaring twenties and the failure of the American Dream, as well as the creation of the flapper in fiction have awarded him a permanent place among the immortals of American literature.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction.
- Theoretical background
- Modernism
- Adultery in literature.
- Marriage, the family and divorce in the U.S.
- The Great Gatsby...
- Daisy Buchanan.
- Myrtle Wilson.
- Conclusion.
- Bibliography
- Primary Sources....
- Secondary Sources...
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the message F. Scott Fitzgerald, as a modernist writer, tries to convey to his readership through the theme of adultery in his 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. The paper will explore the connection between literary modernism and the theme of adultery, providing a brief overview of marriage, family, and divorce in the U.S. over time. The main focus will be on understanding the different functions of adultery in the novel, specifically examining the motivations of Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson in their respective affairs.
- The relationship between literary modernism and the theme of adultery.
- The representation of societal changes and challenges in the Jazz Age.
- The significance of marriage, family, and divorce in the context of the novel.
- The motivations and consequences of adultery for the characters in the novel.
- The portrayal of the American Dream and its failures.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides a contextual overview of the era in which Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby, highlighting the significant societal changes and cultural shifts of the early 20th century. It introduces the concept of modernism and its significance in literature.
- Theoretical background: This chapter further delves into the theoretical background of the paper, exploring the concept of modernism in literature. It examines the changing role of science and its impact on society, along with the broader cultural context of the period. The chapter also discusses the significance and evolution of adultery in literature, from ancient mythology to the modern era. Finally, it provides a brief overview of the historical context of marriage, family, and divorce in the U.S.
- The Great Gatsby: This chapter examines the novel The Great Gatsby itself, providing an initial overview of the characters and themes. It focuses on the character of Daisy Buchanan and explores her motivations and circumstances leading to her involvement in an adulterous affair.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key themes and concepts explored in this paper include American modernism, literary themes, adultery, marriage, family, divorce, the Jazz Age, the American Dream, societal change, character analysis, and the novel The Great Gatsby.
- Quote paper
- Friederike Lang (Author), 2020, The different functions of adultery in F. Scott Fitzgeralds "The Great Gatsby", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1459299
