Abstract
The Great Gatsby published in 1925, which is one of the most popular novels in America in 20th century. In the context of “American Dream”, this paper analyzes the hero’s image of Gatsby. In the turbulent 20s, American social morality fell and materialistic, and many young Americans changed their values, there is a widespread belief that as long as the rich skills get what they want, Gatsby is no exception. The main body of thesis is divided into three parts:
The first part studies the research status of The Great Gatsby at home and abroad, from which can found that the study of this novel has never been interrupted. Despite the fact that there are plenty people who research this novel from Gatsby’s image and the theme, in turn, from the aspect of historical background influenced on character image can be explored.
The second part mainly narrates the development history and essence of American Dream, combined with the American society of the 1920s further analyzed the reality of this period. Meanwhile, the paper divided the American Dream into four aspects combined with The Great Gatsby—wealth, freedom and equality, moral values and romance.
The third part discusses the character of the hero Gatsby. Gatsby’s character image is multiple and vague, both the refined temperament of the dreamer and the vulgar of the upstart. This chapter combines the essence of the American Dream to further analyze from the positive description, the negative description, the romance of Gatsby and writing skills four aspects. Discussing how the American Dream of the Jazz Age affects the image of the character in order to let the readers know thoroughly about Gatsby.
Key words: American Dream; Gatsby; Character Image
Contents
Abstract
摘要
Introduction-1
Chapter I Literature-3
1.1 Definition of American Dream-3
1.2 Introduction to The Great Gatsby-4
1.3 Research Status-4
1.3.1 Overseas Research Status-4
1.3.2 Domestic Research Status-5
Chapter II A Brief Introduction to American Dream-8
2.1 Development History of American Dream-8
2.2 Essence of American Dream-9
2.2.1 Wealth Dream-9
2.2.2 Freedom and Equality Dream-9
2.2.3 Moral Values-10
2.2.4 Romantic Dream-10
Chapter III An Analysis of Gatsby’s Image-12
3.1 An Analysis of Positive Description-12
3.1.1 Personal Value’s Construction Analysis under the Pursuit of Wealth Dream-12
3.1.2 Image Construction Analysis under the Class Differentiation Background-12
3.2 An Analysis on Negative Description-13
3.2.1 Social Environment Analysis of Moral Depravity-13
3.3 An Analysis on the Aspect of the Hero Gatsby’s Love-13
3.4 An Analysis on the Aspect of the Fiction’s Writing Skills-14
3.4.1 An Analysis on Symbolism Technique in Fiction World-14
3.4.2 An Analysis on First Person Narration in Objective World-15
Conclusion-16
Bibliography-17
Acknowledgment-19
