Main Themes

Big ideas shown throughout the novel

The American Dream

Gatsby believes that money will help him reach happiness and love. The novel shows that the American Dream can fail when it is only about wealth.

Illusion vs Reality

Many characters pretend to be someone they are not. Gatsby creates a fake image of himself to impress Daisy.

Wealth and Class

The book shows the difference between old money and new money, and how class divides people.