Assessment 1: A contrapuntal reading of The Great Gatsby involves examining the
multiple layers of meaning and the interplay between different characters and
themes. By focusing on Meyer Wolfsheim and the concept of otherness, examine the
nuanced ways in which Fitzgerald portrays issues of race and exclusion in an essay.
Essay
In partial fulfilment
English Literary Studies: An Introduction Module
at
Cornerstone Institute
by
26 August 2025
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 4
The novel; "The Great Gatsby" written by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) plays a
significant role in the American literature, well-known for its intense portrayal of
the Jazz Age as well as its analysis of the American Dream. The Great Gatsby is
basically a liberal novel echoing with emphasis of the American 20s and 30s.
Within this influential work, the entire novel is told through the eyes of Nick
Carraway, a Yale alumnus and World War I veteran who is drawn into the life of
an enigmatic millionaire, Jay Gatsby, a man consumed by an idealized love for
Daisy Buchanan (Adhikari, 2025: 124). 4
Through its narrative Adhikari, (2025: 125) further states that the novel captures
and critiques the evolving social norms and cultural values of its period. In
addition, the work explores many dualities, telling the story of a national identity
crisis. This crisis pits aspirations against reality and involves conflicts between
nationality, religion, ethnicity, and class, which portray broader societal
and individual struggles. 4
b) The Corrupting Influence of Wealth and Class Stratification 5
e) Nostalgia and Spectacle 6
Historical Context: 'Cant
repeat the past?' he cried incredulously. 'Why of course
you can!' (Fitzgerald,, 1925:133). This line in chapter 6 is the core of Gatsbys
tragedy. It reveals his profound delusion and the pathological nature of his hope.
According to Bhatti, and Haroon, (2022:578), Gatsbys entire existence is built on
a nostalgic ideal. His obsessive drive to recreate his past romance with Daisy
demonstrates the refusal to accept that the past cannot be reclaimed. This
unhealthy obsession of his dream of recapturing what he had with Daisy,
unfortunately blinded him to present realities, ultimately leading to his tragic
downfall. 6
Contemporary Relevance: Modern society is deeply nostalgic, idealizing past
decades in its culture and politics, as seen in film reboots and slogans like "Make
America Great Again. Gatsby's story warns of the dangers of this nostalgic
desire, which can hinder progress by favouring romanticized history over the
multiple layers of meaning and the interplay between different characters and
themes. By focusing on Meyer Wolfsheim and the concept of otherness, examine the
nuanced ways in which Fitzgerald portrays issues of race and exclusion in an essay.
Essay
In partial fulfilment
English Literary Studies: An Introduction Module
at
Cornerstone Institute
by
26 August 2025
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 4
The novel; "The Great Gatsby" written by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) plays a
significant role in the American literature, well-known for its intense portrayal of
the Jazz Age as well as its analysis of the American Dream. The Great Gatsby is
basically a liberal novel echoing with emphasis of the American 20s and 30s.
Within this influential work, the entire novel is told through the eyes of Nick
Carraway, a Yale alumnus and World War I veteran who is drawn into the life of
an enigmatic millionaire, Jay Gatsby, a man consumed by an idealized love for
Daisy Buchanan (Adhikari, 2025: 124). 4
Through its narrative Adhikari, (2025: 125) further states that the novel captures
and critiques the evolving social norms and cultural values of its period. In
addition, the work explores many dualities, telling the story of a national identity
crisis. This crisis pits aspirations against reality and involves conflicts between
nationality, religion, ethnicity, and class, which portray broader societal
and individual struggles. 4
b) The Corrupting Influence of Wealth and Class Stratification 5
e) Nostalgia and Spectacle 6
Historical Context: 'Cant
repeat the past?' he cried incredulously. 'Why of course
you can!' (Fitzgerald,, 1925:133). This line in chapter 6 is the core of Gatsbys
tragedy. It reveals his profound delusion and the pathological nature of his hope.
According to Bhatti, and Haroon, (2022:578), Gatsbys entire existence is built on
a nostalgic ideal. His obsessive drive to recreate his past romance with Daisy
demonstrates the refusal to accept that the past cannot be reclaimed. This
unhealthy obsession of his dream of recapturing what he had with Daisy,
unfortunately blinded him to present realities, ultimately leading to his tragic
downfall. 6
Contemporary Relevance: Modern society is deeply nostalgic, idealizing past
decades in its culture and politics, as seen in film reboots and slogans like "Make
America Great Again. Gatsby's story warns of the dangers of this nostalgic
desire, which can hinder progress by favouring romanticized history over the
