Many people consider it the “Great American Novel.” Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby is a study of American society through the lens of Fitzgerald’s experiences and observations. At the centre of this exploration is the concept of 'the American Dream'.

Nick Carraway is a young man from the Midwest who has moved to the wealthy community of West Egg on Long Island, New York. Nick’s next-door neighbor is an enigmatic millionaire named Jay Gatsby, who throws extravagant weekend parties attended by the elite members of society. Nick’s socialite cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, live across the Sound in East Egg, a community of old-money millionaires.

Over the course of the summer of 1922, Nick learns more about Gatsby and his connection to Daisy. He gets drawn into the drama of their reunion and witnesses the consequences of Gatsby’s attempts to recapture the past and achieve his American Dream. As the events unfold, Nick is forced to critically reevaluate the lifestyle of the wealthy and the decadence of the Jazz Age.

Content Warning: The Great Gatsby addresses the subjects of adultery and organised crime, and contains incidents of violence, alcohol abuse, and racism.

(Prestwickhouse, 2021)