The Great Gatsby

Introduction

F. Scott Fitzgerald uses 'The Great Gatsby' the mid-western value he was brought-up with, and his life experiences. The novel draws several extensive parallels between the real life of the author and the story it contains. The resemblances vary from basing characters of important individuals from his private life to incorporating complicated love associations; he went through, into the main story of the novel; to the recreation of the American Dream. The novel is a direct result of several important events in the life of Scott Fitzgerald.

Discussion

F. Scott Fitzgerald uses The Great Gatsby to portray his personal life experiences. Both Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway from the novel share similarities to Fitzgerald. Gatsby portrays Fitzgerald's obsessive love and determination. Carraway is used to show Fitzgerald's roots, and experiences (Gross & Gross, pp. 150-155).

F. Scott Fitzgerald grew up in Minnesota, as Nick did, and they both attended an Ivy League school. These two men along with Gatsby served in the military during World War One. After the war, they all fell in love with three beautiful women. Fitzgerald then moved to a house next to a huge mansion on Long Island, New York. The owner of the mansion, an alleged bootlegger, even called Fitzgerald “old sport” which resembles Gatsby's behavior. Close to Fitzgerald's neighborhood was the Corona dump, which resembles the Valley of Ashes. Both being born in Minnesota, Fitzgerald shows his mid-western roots and values through Nick. They both believe in loyalty, friendship, and perseverance. Throughout the novel, Nick proves to be a principled hard-worker. For example, Gatsby offers Nick a shady business to make considerable money, but he refuses (Fitzgerald, pp.82-83).

The main love story of the novel, The Great Gatsby, is under the great influence of Fitzgerald's life events. Jay Gatsby also resembles F. Scott Fitzgerald in certain ...