Literature Review

The Great Gatsby, attracted by readers all over the world has been studied by lots of readers from different perspectives, including feminism, the Jazz Age, the American Dream and so on. Some scholars considered that the symbolic meaning in this novel revealed the characters inner action. Zhang Dongmei noted that Fitzgerald not only used a total new perspective and has the ingenious narrative skill to tell the story, but also adopted lots of images to describe. These images presented how Gatsby pursued the dreams in different aspects and lighted that the false illusion of American Dream. Such dream eroded people#8217;s soul on the other way.(97) She also considered that Gatsby was faithful to his dream but destroyed by the society which only cares for money. He is a victim of that society. Gatsby#8217;s dream conflicted with the society. This recalled me of the reality and the dream. Wang Xiaoyan noted that the Great Gatsby described a seemingly miserable love story with a unhappy ending , which is not suit the theme of ” One good turn deserves another ”. Actually, the love tragedy is only the representation, while the tortured humanity is the real theme (64)

Some other scholars supposed that all things happened has its reasons. They analyzed from the background of that time. Li Aihong noted that all the characters in this book are created in the background of the Jazz Age and they are the representatives of the people. At that time，the economy increased rapidly. Common people dare to have a dream, not alone Mrs. Walson and Gatsby. Mass Media spread the fashion for people to follow. At the same time, sensualism was spread the country via the mass media. People were eager for a material life.(130) Apart from the material aspect to analysis, the other side, people#8217;s spirit got into trouble in that history moment. Zou huifang thought ””All the elements concerned with relationship, the most import one is money while love can be neglect. The friendship is not related to trust and other good humanity quality. Money is human#8217;s friendship. That why hundreds of people came to the party while nearly no one came to the funeral. Money also can ruin the rules. Gatsby did illegal trades, Jodan drove carelessly, Tom looked for others girls even he had a wife. #8217;#8217; (3)

Li Chuzhen considered that Gatsby may not represent the most common people in that history because of his unique quality. He became a millionaire through illegal ways, but he has a pure heart of love. In this book, it cited that he knew woman early and since they spoiled him he became contemptuous of them. In a consequence, these disgusting women remind him of beloved Daisy. Gatsby did hard work not for the future life but for the past time. Unfortunately, the whole society already had changed since he came back from the war. So that why he fail and that why he is different and his dream is great. (21) In this book, everyone has their dreams. Once find the common dream, it#8217;s easier to analyze the theme of the book. Liu Shijuan noted that there are three kinds of dreams that all characters cared for. The first one is be a rich man. The second is to have a higher social state. And the third one to find their love.(1)