THE GREAT GATSBY On the superficial level, The Great Gatsby tells the story of a young middle class man who happens to get mixed up in the chaotic affairs of his wealthy cousin and neighbor. F. Scott Fitzgerald's story of life in the 1920s is much more than it appears to be, though. Even such things as the colors used in description play a crucial part in the "big picture" of the entire novel. Symbolism …showed first 75 words of 920 total…

…showed last 75 words of 920 total…Myrtle's apartment. All these symbols seem to connect back to Gatsby and the "American dream." The American dream may not be what it is played up to be. Gatsby, while trying to procure this dream ran into several obstacles and ultimately met his defeat. Perhaps this dream is not exactly a dream at all, but a nightmare. If a so-called "dream" can bring on so many complications and so much pain, is it worth it?