Motif: Dreams
Explanation: Throughout The Great Gatsby, characters have dreams and aspirations that drive their actions and decisions. These dreams often revolve around achieving wealth, status, and ultimately happiness. However, these dreams are often unattainable or end in disappointment, highlighting the theme of the American Dream and its illusions.
Textual Evidence: "It was all very careless and confused. They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..." (Fitzgerald, 187).
Motif: Wealth
Explanation: The motif of wealth is prominent in The Great Gatsby as characters obsess over money and luxurious possessions. This emphasis on material wealth reflects the societal values of the 1920s and the idea that money can buy happiness and success. However, Fitzgerald explores the emptiness and corruption that can come with the pursuit of wealth.
Textual Evidence: "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..." (Fitzgerald, 187).
Motif: Decay
Explanation: Throughout the novel, there is a motif of decay that symbolizes the decline of moral values and the corruption of the American Dream. The decaying mansions, disintegrating relationships, and decaying relationships all serve as a reflection of the emptiness and moral decay of the characters and society as a whole.
Textual Evidence: "He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass" (Fitzgerald, 157).
Motif: Green Light
Explanation: The green light at the end of Daisy's dock is a recurring motif in The Great Gatsby that symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams. It represents his desire for a future with Daisy and serves as a beacon that guides him towards his goal. However, the green light also symbolizes the unattainability of the past and the illusions of the American Dream.
Textual Evidence: "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further..." (Fitzgerald, 180).
Step One: Motif Discussion
Complete the chart below about four different motifs seen in The Great Gatsby.
Reminder: A motif is a pattern or idea that is seen throughout a novel. It is usually one word or short phrase. (Example: Loyalty, or “Love conquers all”)
Motifs: One word idea or simple phrase that is seen throughout the story.
Example: Loyalty
Explanation: In 2-3 sentences, explain WHY this is a motif that we can see throughout The Great Gatsby.
Textual Evidence: Provide a quote from the text that demonstrates this motif.
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