What are the central themes in The Great Gatsby?

The Great Gatsby is a complex novel with various themes, with the central themes being materialism and the American Dream. The novel is often considered to also have a strong central theme of love but it could be argued that the romantic plot is actually a metaphor for the American Dream, as Gatsby's dream and the reason for his materialsm is the wish to have Daisy as his own. The novel can be considered to have a central theme of materialsm as most of the characters' actions and desires centre around an overall goal of achiveing and maintaining wealth and admiration. It could also be argued that The Great Gatsby has a central theme of hedonism due to the focus on parties and irresponsbility throughout the novel. 

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Answered by Charlotte P. English Literature tutor

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