There are many ideas in this novel. Here are a few that are easily supported by the text.
Wealth and class:
Nearly all the characters in the novel are part of the American upper class. They live a life of luxury and partying. The characters clearly place a large amount of importance on wealth. Daisy is married to Tom partly for his wealth. She cries when she sees Gatsby's expensive wardrobe. He seeks wealth by...
There are many ideas in this novel. Here are a few that are easily supported by the text.
Wealth and class:
Nearly all the characters in the novel are part of the American upper class. They live a life of luxury and partying. The characters clearly place a large amount of importance on wealth. Daisy is married to Tom partly for his wealth. She cries when she sees Gatsby's expensive wardrobe. He seeks wealth by questionable means hoping to make something of himself and attract her affection. Even so, his neighbors criticize him for being new money rather than old money.
Time and memories:
The novel is obsessed with idea of time and memory. Gatsby looks back fondly on his youth, when Daisy was his lover. He believes that he can turn back the clock and relive that beautiful time of his life again. He even claims this outright, saying that of course we can turn back the clock. His failure to return to a happier time of his life is one of the great tragedies of the novel.
The American dream:
Like the theme of wealth, this idea deals in materialism. The characters all seek happiness through wealth rather than good character. Tom has money, but he cheats on his wife. Jordan has money, but she cheats at golf. Gatsby has money, but he gets it through questionable means. None of these characters really seem to find what they are looking for. This is a criticism of the American Dream and its apparent obsession with wealth rather than character. Gatsby's only redemption is that he only wants the money because of his love for Daisy.
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