FAQ About The Great Gatsby

The weather in "The Great Gatsby" is used by Fitzgerald to create atmosphere and to symbolize the emotional states of the characters. The novel is set in the summer, which is traditionally associated with warmth, sunshine, and happiness. However, the weather in the novel is often oppressive and stormy, reflecting the moral and emotional turmoil of the characters.

For example, the scene in which Tom confronts Gatsby and Daisy about their affair takes place on the hottest day of the year, and the heat creates a tense and oppressive atmosphere. The scene in which Gatsby and Daisy are reunited is accompanied by a rainstorm, which symbolizes the emotional intensity of their reunion and the tumultuous nature of their relationship.

Additionally, the weather in "The Great Gatsby" reflects the themes of the novel, such as the contrast between illusion and reality. The novel begins with the narrator describing the "foul" weather and the "waste land" of the Valley of Ashes, which symbolizes the moral decay and social inequality of the Jazz Age. The contrast between the sordid world of the Valley of Ashes and the glamour and wealth of the East Egg and West Egg highlights the contrast between illusion and reality, and suggests that the pursuit of the American Dream is ultimately futile and empty.

The weather in "The Great Gatsby" serves as a powerful symbol of the emotional and moral states of the characters, as well as the themes of the novel.