AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL THE GREAT GATSBY USING MARXISM

THEORY
I Nyoman Surya Dharma/ 2101541127/ D Class
Bachelor of English Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Udayana University
sdharma1208@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great
Gatsby," using Marxist theory to critique of 1920s American society. Through a
qualitative approach, the study into the social, political, and economic themes depicted
in the novel, exploring class distinctions, the critique of capitalism, and the portrayal of
the American Dream. The research aims to answer the question: How does "The Great
Gatsby" illustrate the contradictions and consequences of capitalism and class struggle
in 1920s America? By closely examining the characters, symbols, and narrative
techniques, the analysis sheds light on the societal conditions prevalent during the Jazz
Age and contributes to a broader understanding of the novel's social commentary.

Keyword: The Great Gatsby, Marxism, capitalism, America, social

INTRODUCTION

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the famous novels of the 20th century.
It depicts the social and life situation of the American upper class in the 1920s, a period
known as the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who
moves to West Egg, Long Island, and becomes fascinated by his mysterious neighbor,
Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who throws lavish parties every weekend. Gatsby is
in love with Daisy Buchanan, a beautiful but shallow woman who is married to Tom, a
wealthy but unfaithful man. Gatsby’s tragic pursuit of Daisy reveals the corruption and
emptiness of the American dream, as well as the moral decay of the society that
surrounds him.

In this paper, I will analyze the novel using the Marxist theory, which is a social, political,
and economic philosophy that critiques capitalism and class struggle. This theory offers
a useful lens to understand the novel’s themes, characters, and symbols. Also, reveals
how the novel portrays the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the of
culture and human relationships, and felling like disillusionment of the individual. The
research question for this study is: How does The Great Gatsby illustrate the
contradictions and consequences of capitalism and class struggle in the 1920s
America? Overall, The aim of this analysis is to shed a light in understanding the social
condition that occur in the social community.
METHODOLOGY
This paper adopts a qualitative approach to provide a deeper understanding of the
novel from a Marxist perspective. The data source for this project is the text of the novel
itself, which can be accessed online. The data collection method is a close reading of
the text, focusing on the themes, symbols, characters, and narrative techniques that
relate to the research question. The data analysis method is using Marxism Theory
which based on the concepts and arguments of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels,
especially from their books The Communist Manifesto and Capital. The analysis will
explore the novel’s elements, how Gatsby’s situation reflects the contradictions and
consequences of capitalism and class struggle in the 1920s America, and how his
dream and death reveal his alienation and disillusionment as an individual.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Marxism is a theory that views human history as a series of conflicts between different
classes, such as the oppressed and the oppressors, the workers and the owners, the
poor and the rich. Marxism aims to overthrow the capitalist system, which creates and
maintains these class divisions, and replace it with a socialist system, where the means
of production are owned and controlled by the people, and everyone is equal. Marxism
also applies to literature, as it analyzes how literary works reflect and critique the social
and economic conditions of their time and place, and how they express the class
consciousness and ideology of their authors. Marxist literary criticism evaluates the
social and political implications of literature, and whether it supports or challenges the
Marxist movement.

The novel “The Great Gatsby” depicts the conflict between classes in the American
society of the 1920s. The characters interact with each other based on their class
distinction, which is determined by their economic status and their origin. The story
shows how the pursuit of wealth and status leads to corruption, deception, and tragedy,
as the characters are driven by materialism and class division. The novel criticizes the
capitalist system that creates and reinforces these social inequalities and moral decay.
Here is some problem that occurs in the novel.

1. Class Distinctions

In the beginning of the novel, the narrator, Nick Carraway are mentions that there are
two different lands which distinguish by their social and economic classes. The ‘East
Egg’ Symbolizes the established wealthy class. Tom and Daisy Buchanan live here,
representing inherited wealth and noble status. Their social status is already firmly
entrenched, and they view themselves as superior to the newly rich. Here is the
quotation from the novel:
"Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the
water."

Whereas, the ‘West Egg’ Represents the newly rich who have acquired wealth through
entrepreneurial pursuits, like Jay Gatsby. Despite their wealth, West Egg residents are
often viewed as less sophisticated and refined by the old money of East Egg. Here is
the quotation from the novel:

"I lived at West Egg, the—well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most
superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them."

Another class distinctions also can be found in lens of the working class and the
industrial underbelly of society. It emphasizes the contrast between East and West Egg
which shows the harsh realities faced by those in lower strata. Here is the quotation
from the novel.

"This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and
hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and
rising smoke."

Lastly, George Wilsons, the mechanic and the husbands of Tom’s affairs. He owns an
auto repair shop, and their modest lifestyle is a testament to the limitations of social
mobility. Here is the quotation from the novel:

“He was a blond, spiritless man, anemic, and faintly handsome. When he saw us a
damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes.”

2. Critique of Capitalism

Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan is depicted as a character who gained wealth through
morally questionable means. Gatsby, involved in illegal activities, and Tom, exploiting
workers, serve as examples of the darker underbelly of capitalism. For example, Tom's
exploitation of workers and the Buchanan’s indifference showcase the system's darker
side. Also, Tom's affair with Myrtle reflects not just moral disregard but also power
imbalances within the wealthy class.

Gatsby's wealth, acquired through criminal activities, reflects the corrupting influence of
the capitalist pursuit. His grand mansion and parties hide the profound emptiness at the
core of his existence. This part is emphasizing on illegitimate means of acquiring wealth
underscores the novel's critique of the moral compromise and ethical decay associated
with the unbridled pursuit of wealth in a capitalist society.
The story highlights a society where wealth eclipses moral values, leading to excessive
materialism. Despite opulence, characters like Gatsby experience emptiness,
emphasizing the dehumanizing effects of capitalism.

3. American Dream

Gatsby's relentless pursuit of the American Dream embodies the belief that
accumulating wealth can overcome social barriers and fulfill romantic aspirations. His
conviction that material success will lead to social acceptance and happiness is a
reflection of the American Dream's promise of upward mobility and self-improvement.

Gatsby's relentless belief in the power of wealth to recreate the past underscores his
conviction in the American Dream's promise of social acceptance through material
success. Here is the quotation from the novel.

"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!"

The repeated imagery of struggling against the current and the classification of
individuals into these categories challenge the viability of the American Dream,
emphasizing its elusive and cyclical nature. Here is the quotation from the novel.

"So, we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." /
"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired."

The ending of the story which the tragic death of Gatsby reflects the disillusionment
inherent in the pursuit of the Dream, as his wealth and aspirations fail to secure lasting
happiness or acceptance. Here is the quotation from the novel.

"He smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare
smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five
times in life."

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, applying Marxist theory to "The Great Gatsby" reveals a critique of 1920s
American society. The novel's portrayal of class distinctions, critiquing capitalism
through characters like Gatsby and Tom, and challenging the American Dream's
promises collectively emphasize societal divisions and the moral decay inherent in the
pursuit of wealth. Gatsby's tragic fate underlines the novel's commentary on the
emptiness behind material success. Hence, F. Scott Fitzgerald's work serves as a broad
images of capitalism and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Great
Gatsby. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/64317/pg64317-images.html

Times, T. E. (n.d.). What is marxism? definition of marxism, marxism meaning. The

Economic Times. (n.d.). https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/marxism

Nickerson, C. (2023). Marxism: Definition, theory, ideology, examples, & facts.

Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/marxism.html