F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a classic American novel set in the summer of 1922. It is a story of obsession, wealth, and the tragic decay of the American Dream.The SettingThe story takes place on Long Island, New York, in two fictional towns: West Egg (home to the "new rich" who flaunt their money) and East Egg (home to the "old money" aristocracy).The PlotThe story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to West Egg to work in the bond business. He lives next door to a colossal, mysterious mansion owned by Jay Gatsby, a man famous for throwing wildly extravagant parties every weekend.

1. The Mystery of Gatsby: Despite the thousands who attend his parties, no one seems to know who Gatsby really is or where his fortune came from. Nick eventually discovers that Gatsby’s entire life—his mansion, his wealth, and his parties—has been a carefully crafted performance designed to attract the attention of Daisy Buchanan.
2. The Lost Love: Five years earlier, Gatsby and Daisy had a passionate romance, but Gatsby was a penniless soldier and Daisy was a wealthy socialite. While Gatsby was away at war, Daisy married the brutish, immensely wealthy Tom Buchanan.
3. The Reunion: With Nick’s help, Gatsby and Daisy reunite and begin an affair. Gatsby is convinced he can "repeat the past" and erase the five years Daisy spent with Tom. However, Tom eventually confronts Gatsby, exposing that his wealth comes from illegal bootlegging.
4. The Tragedy: On the drive back from a tense confrontation in New York City, Daisy (driving Gatsby's car) accidentally strikes and kills Myrtle Wilson, who is Tom’s mistress. Gatsby takes the blame to protect Daisy. In a final twist of manipulation, Tom leads Myrtle’s grieving husband, George, to believe Gatsby was the one who killed her. George shoots Gatsby in his pool before killing himself.

Key Themes

• The American Dream: Gatsby represents the idea that anyone can reinvent themselves, but his tragic end suggests that the "Dream" is often corrupted by greed and social barriers.
• Class and Social Standing: The "Old Money" (the Buchanans) are depicted as careless and hollow, protected by their wealth, while "New Money" (Gatsby) is never truly accepted.
• The Past: Gatsby’s obsession with reclaiming his past with Daisy ultimately leads to his downfall.

Famous Symbols

• The Green Light: A light at the end of Daisy’s dock that Gatsby watches from across the bay, symbolizing his hopes and dreams for the future.
• The Valley of Ashes: A desolate industrial wasteland between the Eggs and New York, representing the moral and social decay of the era.
• The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: A fading billboard overlooking the Valley of Ashes, often interpreted as the eyes of God watching over a godless, materialistic society.