What are the major themes and symbols in The Great Gatsby?

The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic American literary work that is renowned for its exploration of the decadence and excess of the Roaring Twenties. The novel is also a masterful study of the human condition, and its major themes and symbols continue to resonate with readers today.

One of the key themes in The Great Gatsby is the corruption of the American Dream. The characters in the novel are obsessed with wealth and status, and they pursue these things at any cost. However, their pursuit of the American Dream ultimately leads to their downfall. Another major theme in the novel is the emptiness of the lives of the wealthy. Despite their material possessions, the characters in the novel are unhappy and unfulfilled.

The green light is one of the most significant symbols in The Great Gatsby. It represents the elusive nature of the American Dream, and it is the object of Gatsby's longing. The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg are another important symbol in the novel. They represent the loss of traditional values and the decline of spirituality in American society. The Valley of Ashes is also a significant symbol. It represents the moral decay and corruption that underlie the glamour and excess of the wealthy characters in the novel.