Examples Of Marxism In The Great Gatsby

ENGL 3308

Applying Literary Theory to The Great Gatsby Nick Calloway returns home disillusioned with the greed, corruption, and fast lifestyle of the big city. The Great Gatsby chronicles a young man’s pursuit of the American Dream that ultimately leads down a path of disappointment and grief. There are several theories explored in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most notable work. Purdue Owl describes literary theories as different lenses through which critics interpret literature and art. Different lenses also allow critics to focus on particular aspects of a work they consider important. The first lens compares the fast lifestyle of the New York to the simple lifestyle of the Midwest. The juxtaposition of wealth and capitalism in the big city to

Natural sciences are under hardcore theories whereas literary theories are considered softcore theories (Cordell and Pennington, Ch. 1). Scientific theories rely on facts and “lead to problem solving” (Cordell and Pennington, Ch.1). The most common literary theories are Marxism, feminism, psychoanalysis, and reader response theory. “Based on the theories of Karl Marx, Marxism studies “class differences, economic and otherwise, as well as the implications and complications of the capitalist system (Brizee et al.). Marxism also studies how the lower or working classes are oppressed - in everyday life and in literature”(Brizee et al.). Fitzgerald applies Marxist themes by comparing the class differences and morality of a small town and big

Furthermore, there are illustrations of abuse towards women in the text. Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose after she angers him by saying Daisy’s name repeatedly. The Great Gatsby is set during the roaring twenties when women were still considered property, and men maintained control through abuse and subjecting women to inferior roles. Moreover, the lens through with a text is examined changes depended on the time it occurs. “Literary theory in recent years has sought to explain the degree to which the text is more the product of a culture than an individual author” (Brewton). During the roaring twenties Feminism was viewed differently than it is today. Popular culture is instrumental in changing how theories are applied to a text. As culture shifts, the lens through which a text is interpreted changes as well. Thus, different scholars may come to a different conclusion about the overall meaning of a text (Cordell and Pennington, Ch.1). “Literary theory is a description of principles... by which we attempt to understand literature. (Brewton)” Simply, literary theories help reveal the bigger picture within