ipl-logo

How Does Fitzgerald Present Religion In The Great Gatsby

1023 Words5 Pages

Leona Nguyen Mr. McNichol AP English III 27 March 2023 Religion and Moral Corruption in The Great Gatsby People generally disregard Fitzgerald's religious upbringing and thus overlook this significant factor in his writing, and yet The Great Gatsby is so heavily analyzed because of its Catholic allusions. As a preamble to describe Gatsby’s opulent party, Fitzgerald portrays a Catholic Mass to present readers the grandeur and transcendence that the party evokes. The congregation cannot receive Holy Communion without a priest, likewise a party cannot start without a host; and analogously, Gatsby is represented as the host to his Masslike jamboree. Moreover, Fitzgerald also associates the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg from a valley of ashes …show more content…

A Catholic Mass is one of the most prominent aspects of Catholicism because it is when Catholics offer their sacrifice and unite together to worship the Lord. By using its elements, Fitzgerald draws connection between the Mass and Gatsby’s lavish party. Through Nick’s observation of Gatsby’s party, Fitzgerald narrates, “In the main hall a bar with a real brass rail was set up” (Gatsby 44). This rail brass represents the altar, the focal point of the Mass that manifests the presence of Christ during the ceremony. Furthermore, the altar serves as a structure to bear the bread and wine, which are ultimately consecrated for the distribution of the congregation. Fitzgerald continues to expand …show more content…

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg is depicted as the eyes of God because its penetrating gaze mirrors God’s omniscience over mankind. The presence of God is so potent that Nick perceives, “the giant eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg kept their vigil,….regarding us with peculiar intensity” (111). In some preternatural way, Nick senses that the eyes of T. J. Eckleburg is directing his attention toward Myrtle. In this case, the eyes are foreshadowing the subsequent tragic events that pertains to her; and accordingly, they appear to be apprising Nick about what may happen. Prior to this encounter, Nick is introduced to Myrtle, Tom’s mistress. While the indecency of the situation immensely repulses Nick, he later amends that he does want to meet her. But eventually, as they walk “under Doctor Eckleburg’s persistent stare” (111), Nick looks at the billboard as a way of manifesting his regret to God because of his perverse thoughts about the affair—condonement for such unethical

Show More
Related

How Does Fitzgerald Use Ethos In The Great Gatsby

888 Words | 4 Pages

The first strategy Fitzgerald employs in his writing is logos.

Read More

How Does Wilson Use Religion In The Great Gatsby

841 Words | 4 Pages

Carson Kumfer Kumfer 1 Mr. Keller English 2 29/05/24. Christianity as a religion has always been closely tied in with American history. It was, for the longest time, seen as the religion of America, even though America is a country with the freedom of religion. It is easy to see why so many people followed this religion though, the idea that there was a just and fair creator watching over every move and knowing all intentions. It meant that rivals would be judged for what they’ve done, and family based on how they’ve helped.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Great Gatsby

493 Words | 2 Pages

Ashley Chang Mrs. Saddler AP English Language 26 October 2015 Rhetorical Analysis Essay on The Great Gatsby In society, it can be difficult to classify individuals based on their social status, however their behaviors and their interactions with others can be clues to determine where they fall on the social ladder. In the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a variety of rhetorical devices to convey his observation that in the 1920s America the higher people are on the social ladder, the more troubled they were. He portrays his message using relationships and judgmental diction.

Read More

Great Gatsby Altered Page Analysis

678 Words | 3 Pages

Altered Page Assignment- The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is an eminent novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald which represents how the pursuit of the marred American Dream leads to the decay of true morality. Pages 174-175, which have been illustrated, are quite significant as it provides the readers with a greater depth of understanding as to how people are corrupted, as well as how there are still a few individuals who have preserved their virtuousness. Consequently, the majority of the characters in the novel were despicable as they were using Gatsby for achieving their own desires.

Read More

J. Eckleburg's Use Of Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

896 Words | 4 Pages

He is able to see through humanity’s facade and truly judge our actions. After discussing with Owl Eyes at the funeral, Nick states, “I’d never seen him since. I don’t know how he knew about the funeral, or even his name” (174). Although humanity has a general grasp of God’s abilities and His relationship to us, we are ultimately left with a sense of mystery concerning His character. Despite Nick constantly noticing Owl Eyes lurking around, he has yet to understand his background.

Read More

How Is Nick Morally Ambiguous In The Great Gatsby

1062 Words | 5 Pages

Eckleberg's eyes watch over an industrial dumping ground from a washed out billboard across from Wilson's garage. They are described by Nick as being, “blue and gigantic-their retinas are one yard high. . . But his eyes, dimmed by many paintless days under sun and rain, brood over the solemn dumping ground”(Fitzgerald 23, 24). From the beginning of the book, the eyes are personified as a disapproving observer. This personification, is what allows the billboard to take on a heightened meaning.

Read More

How Does Fitzgerald Use Materialism In The Great Gatsby

683 Words | 3 Pages

Both Fitzgerald and Mary Balcazar, my mother, believe that the idea of the American Dream corrupts people in only wanting materialistic items. In The Great Gatsby, Mr.Wilson and Michaelis are both reminiscing what had happened before Myrtle's death, “And I said ‘God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!.... Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg. ”(Fitzgerald 159).

Read More

Freedom Of Religion In The Great Gatsby

284 Words | 2 Pages

For centuries, freedom of religion in America has been an integral foundation in its society’s works; Europeans fled their own countries, where they were oppressed by forced faith, to seek religious asylum in a country which prided itself on allowing individuals to establish their own beliefs, and practise any religion that they choose. The US was the first Western nation not to be founded upon a predominantly Catholic belief system, and was instead led by Protestants. This in itself demonstrates the independence of American society, and its defiance of other countries’ traditions. In Post War America, however (1918 onwards), religious barriers began to be broken down. This period is the one in which ‘the Great Gatsby’ is set, the ‘Roaring

Read More

Examples Of Isolationism In The Great Gatsby

803 Words | 4 Pages

In spite of him being surrounded by people, he still dwells in a constant state of isolation because the significant friend that he is searching for, can only be found in Jesus Christ. All through the book, Gatsby's dreary, solitary life becomes more and more apparent. Specifically, near the end of chapter three; Gatsby’s seclusive lifestyle becomes evident at Nick’s first party. In this bustling and busy atmosphere Nick managed to detect Gatsby's gloomy ambience. He noticed that even during a gleeful song, “no one swooned backward on Gatsby, and no French bob touched Gatsby's shoulder, and no singing quartets were formed with Gatsby’s head for one link”.

Read More

Figurative Language In The Great Gatsby

400 Words | 2 Pages

Appeals Nick establishes pathos in describing how “in my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since” (Fitzgerald 1). The usage of nostalgia and strong, emotionally loaded language elicits a solicitous emotion in the readers towards Nick. His “more vulnerable years” refer to a time period in which he was more innocent, perhaps prior to him serving in the war. Since then, the advice from him father has transformed him greatly as a person and made him more open. Readers can thus view Nick as more wise and less

Read More

What Does The Water Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

1374 Words | 6 Pages

The connection between the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg and God exists in the context of George Wilson’s grief-stricken mind. To other characters, the eyes represent the meaninglessness of the world, that is shown by Tom and Daisy’s careless actions after Myrtle’s death (Campbell,

Read More

How Does Fitzgerald Use Religion In The Great Gatsby

863 Words | 4 Pages

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald utilizes religion, God, and theology to represent the moral corruption of the Jazz Age and the tragedy of the American Dream. The novel is set in the 1920s, and follows several characters including Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who is determined to win back the love of Daisy Buchanan, a woman for whom he is willing to make any sacrifice. The moral corruption of the era is represented through the characters’ disregard for morality and their attempts to defy God and traditional Christian beliefs as they live lavishly. Through the characters’ actions, Fitzgerald implies that the pursuit of pleasure and wealth leads to the tragedy of the American Dream, which can be seen through the tragic fate of some characters. Religion,

Read More

The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And I Hear America Singing

785 Words | 4 Pages

In "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we see the

Read More

Literary Techniques In The Great Gatsby

867 Words | 4 Pages

In the text, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a wide range of literary techniques to convey a lack of spirituality, and immorality. Techniques such as characterisation, symbolism, and metaphors help to cement the ideas Fitzgerald explores. However, there are some features to this world that redeem it. Which are displayed through expert execution of techniques like characterisation, contrast, and repetition. The world of The Great Gatsby is home to many morally corrupt and spiritually empty characters however, the world itself is not a spiritual and moral wasteland.

Read More

The Great Gatsby Symbolism Analysis

830 Words | 4 Pages

The eyes “watch” over the valley of ashes. “The eyes of doctor T.J Eckleburg… solemn dumping ground” (Fitzgerald 23). The eyes themselves represent a “Big Brother” (Mass surveillance in modern culture). They watch over the valley of ashes, acting as God to a certain point, to a certain character. George Wilson views the eyes as guidance.

Read More

More about How Does Fitzgerald Present Religion In The Great Gatsby

Related Topics

Open Document