Themes
The Decline of the American Dream in the 1920s America dream was originally about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness. In the 1920s depicted in the novel, easy money and relaxed social values have corrupted the dream. G is ruined by an unworthy woman, just as the American dream in the 1920s is ruined by the unworthy pursuit of money and pleasure. The Gulf between the East and the West The West represents the newly rich, who are gaudy, ostentatious and vulgar (G’s ornate mansion, pink suit, Rolls-Royce), yet sincere and loyal; The East represents the old aristocracy, who are graceful, subtle and elegant (Buchanans’ tasteful home, the white dresses of Daisy and Jordan), yet careless and selfish. remind readers of Henry James’ “international theme”