World War One was over. The Great DepressionA severe worldwide economic depression that started in the US in 1929. When Roosevelt was elected, the US unemployment rate stood at over 20%. was yet to come. When F Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in 1925, America was enjoying more wealth and freedom than ever before. But the novel damns the materialismPursuing wealth, possessions and money as a priority. A word usually used to express or imply criticism. and individualism that comes with these new excesses. Its hero, the glamorous socialiteSomeone who is well known in society, and who is known mostly for attending high profile events. Jay Gatsby, throws lavish parties funded by dodgy dealings, hoping to win back his former sweetheart Daisy Buchanan, who is beautiful but unavailable. By the novel's end, Gatsby's dreams — and his life — are in tatters. And the narrator, Nick Carraway, realises that they were hollow from the start.
The Great Gatsby
World War One was over. The Great DepressionA severe worldwide economic depression that started in the US in 1929. When Roosevelt was elected, the US unemployment rate stood at over 20%. was yet to come. When F Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in 1925, America was enjoying more wealth and freedom than ever before. But the novel damns the materialismPursuing wealth, possessions and money as a priority. A word usually used to express or imply criticism. and individualism that comes with these new excesses. Its hero, the glamorous socialiteSomeone who is well known in society, and who is known mostly for attending high profile events. Jay Gatsby, throws lavish parties funded by dodgy dealings, hoping to win back his former sweetheart Daisy Buchanan, who is beautiful but unavailable. By the novel's end, Gatsby's dreams - and his life - are in tatters. And the narrator, Nick Carraway, realises that they were hollow from the start.
Glamour galore on fashion's gala night out
It was before the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and before the Great Depression. The characters in The Great Gatsby are enjoying a boom time - a decade of prosperity and decadenceMoral decline, shown by excessive luxury and spending. . Fitzgerald himself called it the "Jazz Age". But he also focuses on the darker side, showing the indulgence and recklessness that came alongside the extravagance.
Is fashion trivial? In New York, the Met Ball proved itself yet again to be the world's greatest showcase for trend-setters wearing the most extravagant costumes.
Are fireworks a waste of money? It may seem wrong that we burn millions of dollars for a fleeting moment of glory. But there is also a serious moral defence for extravagance.
Is Philip Green a villain or a scapegoat? The Topshop boss is under fire for living it up while his employees lose their jobs - but isn't a rotten society just as much to blame as he is?
Throughout the novel, Gatsby faces stark reminders that in 1920s America, having lots of money did not make up for not being born into the upper class. His lavishSpending more money than is reasonable. parties fail to convince Daisy Buchanan, the object of his desires, that leaving her upper class husband is worth the fall in her social status.
Is life a game? A new book says we live in a culture obsessed with status and competition, from school to work and sport. So is it time to opt out and view life another way?
Should Oxbridge be abolished? UK exam boards have started checking grades. Critics say students from private schools have an unfair advantage when applying to top universities.
Is society too focused on the idea of self-improvement? For years, politicians have promised that hard work equals success. Now one leading philosopher says the idea of merit is a myth.
The characters in The Great Gatsby are divided by money. There are the people with "old money" - aristocrats who inherited wealth from their parents. There are the people with "new money" - including Gatsby the self-made millionaire. And there are the people with "no money".
Should the rich pay more tax? A controversy over a dress at a glamorous fashion show highlights the debate that is at the heart of political divisions in the USA and beyond.
Fireworks glory as millions go up in smoke
Can we learn anything useful from the latest list of billionaires? It now runs to thousands of people, one of them still a teenager - but the editor who oversees it is worried.
Was cryptocurrency a con trick? Between Monday and Friday one week, $32bn disappeared from the face of the Earth. Some blame billionaires taking ordinary people for a ride.
Love and unhappy marriage are continuous themes throughout the novel. Gatsby falls for the debutanteAn upper-class young woman making her first official appearance in society. Daisy, who promises to wait through the war for him but marries another man. It is a marriage of convenience - Daisy and Tom are uninterested in each other, and Tom has affairs. And in the end, Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is less about love, and more about reliving his past.
Is marriage dying? A court decision might grant similar status for different types of relationships. But many argue that marriage remains at the heart of human culture and experience.
Should we forgive cheating? Beyonce and Jay-Z released a joint album. In it, Beyonce appears to forgive her husband for his earlier infidelity. Should others follow her lead?
Is the old saying "Money can't buy happiness" true? One of the world's richest couples, Bill and Melinda Gates, announced they were getting divorced after 27 years of marriage.
Anyone can make it in America. This is the crux of the American dream - and as Nick Carraway explains, it was once about discovery, individualism and finding happiness. But in the era depicted in The Great Gatsby, the dream has been corrupted by shallow materialism and easy money. And although Gatsby succeeds in finding wealth, he is never truly accepted by the upper class.
Is it possible to combine virtue with insane wealth? Rihanna was revealed to be a billionaire. Some think wealth can be used for good, but others believe it always corrupts.
Is democracy in danger? Millions will vote in the US midterms. But there is concern that political violence may erupt as politicians and supporters refuse to accept the idea of defeat.
Can individuals really get rid of deeply-held prejudice? A powerful new analysis concludes 'the gaping wounds of racial injustice' are as bad as ever.
Keywords
Great Depression - A severe worldwide economic depression that started in the US in 1929. When Roosevelt was elected, the US unemployment rate stood at over 20%.
Materialism - Pursuing wealth, possessions and money as a priority. A word usually used to express or imply criticism.
Socialite - Someone who is well known in society, and who is known mostly for attending high profile events.
Decadence - Moral decline, shown by excessive luxury and spending.
Lavish - Spending more money than is reasonable.
Debutante - An upper-class young woman making her first official appearance in society.
The Great Gatsby
Glossary
Great Depression - A severe worldwide economic depression that started in the US in 1929. When Roosevelt was elected, the US unemployment rate stood at over 20%.
Materialism - Pursuing wealth, possessions and money as a priority. A word usually used to express or imply criticism.
Socialite - Someone who is well known in society, and who is known mostly for attending high profile events.
Decadence - Moral decline, shown by excessive luxury and spending.
Lavish - Spending more money than is reasonable.
Debutante - An upper-class young woman making her first official appearance in society.