Theme Of Love In The Great Gatsby

How does The Great Gatsby use language and stylistic features to explore the idea of love?

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a legendary novel, considered a critically acclaimed classic around the world, later being made into several cinematic adaptations, the 2013 version being nominated for several Grammys. Known for its depth and symbolism, one of The Great Gatsby’s many literary conventions is the theme of love. Throughout its course, love is commonly intraconnected and analyzed by Fitzgerald, though plot motifs such as romantic affairs, ‘love vs lust’ and even the use of a diegetic narrator. Such a detailed writing style and deep metaphor cements The Great Gatsby as a masterclass in narrative writing.

The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway, a stockbroker living in West Egg, New York. During the opening monologue, Nick speaks of a trait inherited from his father, claiming he ‘reserves judgement’ of his peers, as many are less privileged than he. Nick adds that there may be a limit to his unbiased nature, as ‘I come to the admission that it has a limit’. This attitude leads the reader to believe that, at least in a general sense, their narrator will be unbiased throughout his commentary. While this is partially true, Nick’s role as the intradiegetic narrator limits the

Perhaps Fitzgerald was suggesting relationships require mutual effort; Tom, Myrtle and Jordan all have a lax attitude regarding their partner, the reason their relationships are fickle in the first place. The use of Nick as a narrator assists in shrouding The Great Gatsby’s true message in mystery. It’s unknown what Fitzgerald originally meant as he wrote the book, but The Great Gatsby’s depth allows it to be discussed