Analysis of symbolism in The Great Gatsby and its representation of 1920s America.

The story of The Great Gatsby takes place over one summer in 1922 in Long Island. On the surface it is a love story with a tragic ending but if one looks deeper into the novel's symbols and themes, one finds that it deals with larger, more serious social and existential issues. The Great Gatsby is a symbolic criticism of 1920s America and the corruption of the American dream by material excess and moral decay. Fitzgerald …

…Gatsby, on the other hand, whose recent wealth he gained from criminal activity, is sincere and loyal, remaining outside Daisy's window until four in the morning to make sure that Tom does not hurt her. Ironically, Gatsby's good qualities, loyalty and love, lead to his death as he takes the blame for killing Myrtle rather than letting Daisy be punished. The Buchanans' bad qualities, carelessness and selfishness), allow them to remove themselves from the tragedy.