To analyze Gatsby's character, and give a detailed description and argumentation of my thesis, I will mainly focus on Jay Gatsby's behavior throughout the novel, his vision of himself, as well as who he really was before he turned James Gatz into Jay Gatsby. Having explained Gatsby's circumstances, I will then continue to investigate in his relationship to Daisy and its real purpose. By briefly outlining Daisy's background and her own lifestyle, I will reveal why Gatsby feels so attracted to her.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Concept of Marxist Criticism
3. Gatsby's character in view of sign-exchange value
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus
The primary objective of this paper is to examine Jay Gatsby's character and motivations through the lens of Marxist literary criticism, arguing that his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan is fundamentally driven by a desire for social status and the attainment of an "old money" identity rather than pure romantic love.
- The intersection of the American Dream and capitalist ideologies in The Great Gatsby.
- Jay Gatsby’s transformation from James Gatz as a manifestation of social climbing.
- The interpretation of Daisy Buchanan as a commodity sign within the narrative.
- Marxist definitions of "exchange value" and "sign-exchange value" applied to literary character analysis.
- The tragic failure of Gatsby’s self-constructed illusion of wealth and status.
Excerpts from the Book
Gatsby's character in view of sign-exchange value
As described before, there are many instances in the novel that demonstrate Gatsby's impression of himself and how he tries to bring this perfect vision of himself to life. The want for a new identity is already revealed very early in the young James Gatz, for example, in his daily schedule and his resolves (Fitzgerald 134). He never really accepted his parents, because they were poor and "unsuccessful farm people" (75), and he basically saw no chance to "climb the social ladder" by staying, and so he left them behind. Seeing his opportunity in Dan Cody, a self-made millionaire, he invented the identity of Jay Gatsby, which marks the rebirth of a new man, who strives for more than the hard-working, lower-class people do (74). In fact that day, James Gatz made the sole purpose of his life, to live the American Dream, or his revised form of it.
"Money was a means rather than an end for Jimmy Gatz too. He aspired towards something whose definition eluded him at first, but he caught at what symbols America offered him. Jimmy Gatz could begin to be a new man by taking on a new name for his true identity" (27). This quotation from Pearson's essay also indicates Gatsby's longing for something that at first, he did not even understand himself, until he met Daisy.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the thesis that Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is a pursuit of social status and confirms his character's complexity through Marxist analysis.
2. The Concept of Marxist Criticism: This chapter provides the theoretical framework by defining key Marxist concepts, specifically the influence of socioeconomic ideologies and the distinction between exchange value and sign-exchange value.
3. Gatsby's character in view of sign-exchange value: This section applies the theoretical framework to Gatsby's life, analyzing his rejection of his origins and his use of Daisy as an emblem of the upper-class status he desperately craves.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that Gatsby’s failure is inevitable because his identity is rooted in an illusion, rendering him ultimately expendable to the very class he tried to join.
Keywords
Marxist Criticism, F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, American Dream, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, sign-exchange value, social class, commodity, identity, capitalism, materialism, status, illusion, old money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
The paper offers a Marxist reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," focusing on how socioeconomic status and capitalist structures define the protagonist's motivations.
What are the core thematic fields addressed in the analysis?
The central themes include the American Dream, the construction of identity, social stratification, and the commodification of human relationships.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that Gatsby's actions are driven by the desire to acquire the social status represented by Daisy, effectively treating her as a "sign-exchange" commodity.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The work employs Marxist literary criticism, utilizing theoretical definitions from scholars like Lois Tyson to interpret the narrative.
What subjects are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical definition of Marxist criticism, the transformation of James Gatz into Jay Gatsby, and the role of Daisy Buchanan as a symbol of elite social status.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Marxist Criticism, American Dream, sign-exchange value, social class, and commodification.
How does the author interpret the quote regarding Daisy’s voice being "full of money"?
The author uses this quote to highlight that Gatsby perceives Daisy primarily as a symbol of the wealth and status he lacks, rather than as an individual he loves purely for her personality.
What role does the "American Dream" play in the author's argument?
The American Dream is framed as a deceptive ideology that blinds Gatsby to the reality of class barriers, eventually leading to his destruction.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Gerhardt (Author), 2014, An American Nightmare. A Marxist Reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/436286
