FAQ About The Great Gatsby

Gatsby's car is a symbol of his wealth and status in "The Great Gatsby," and it plays an important role in the novel's plot. The car is a cream-colored 1922 Rolls-Royce that is described as "gorgeous" and "monstrous." It is one of Gatsby's most prized possessions, and he uses it to make a dramatic entrance at his parties and to impress Daisy and other members of the upper class.

However, the car also has a darker significance in the novel. It is involved in two key events that contribute to the novel's tragic ending. First, it is the car that hits and kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom's mistress, in a hit-and-run accident. Gatsby believes that Daisy was driving the car at the time, and he takes the blame for the accident to protect her. This decision ultimately leads to Gatsby's death, as he is later killed by George Wilson, Myrtle's husband.

Second, the car is a symbol of the corruption and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties. It is a representation of the reckless and careless behavior of the wealthy elite, who use their wealth and privilege to escape the consequences of their actions. In this way, the car is a metaphor for the larger social and cultural issues that are explored in the novel, and it serves as a reminder of the dangers of excess and indulgence.