- Birth and growth background

- Francis Scott Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

- He grew up in a middle-class family and was exposed to upper-class social activities from an early age.

- Writer’s identity and work style

- Fitzgerald is one of the representative writers of the "Jazz Age". His works mainly describe the life and pursuit of the upper class.

- His novels are bright and smooth, while deeply exploring themes of wealth, love, and the American dream.

- "The Great Gatsby" is one of Fitzgerald's most famous works and is considered an accurate portrayal of American society in the 20th century.

- The novel reflects the characteristics of American society in the 1920s, including economic prosperity, moral decadence, and social class differentiation.

- Fitzgerald's writing is smooth and beautiful, full of delicate observations and rich imagination.

- He is good at using symbolism to convey deeper meanings through symbols and metaphors.

- For example, in the novel, he uses the green light as an important symbol, representing Gatsby's desire and pursuit of Daisy, and his nostalgia for the good old days.

- The United States in the 1920s, also known as the "Jazz Age" or the "Carefree Era".

- The story mainly takes place in New York City and nearby Long Island.

- Economic prosperity and consumerism prevail.

- Prohibition era, leading to the rise of illegal alcohol trade and underground social venues.

- The bustling scene of New York City, with its tall buildings and bright lights at night.

- Wealthy communities on Long Island, including East Egg and West Egg.

- His mysterious wealth and identity have led to many speculations about his life experience.

- His persistence and pursuit of Daisy are the core of the entire story.

- For example, in order to attract Daisy's attention, Gatsby lights the green light opposite his mansion every night and uses this symbol to express his desire for her.

- The narrator of the story, also a fictional character.

- He presents the story of Gatsby to the readers as a rational and observant man.

- One of Nick's famous descriptions of Gatsby: "There was a special sense of trust in him. You felt like he was an old friend of yours."

- Gatsby's love interest is a rich but flashy woman.

- Daisy is a typical upper-class woman who pursues pleasure and social status.

- An important scene described in the novel is the lavish garden party held by Gatsby on her order.

- Daisy's husband comes from a wealthy family and has a solid status.

- Gatsby is a typical image of pursuing the American dream. He strives to change his destiny through hard work and wealth.

- However, the novel reveals the illusion and disillusionment of the American dream. No matter how hard we try, some things cannot be recovered.

- For example, Gatsby ultimately paid with his life for pursuing his fantasy of Daisy.

- The story reveals the huge gap between the upper class and the lower class, with wealth becoming a symbol of social status and recognition.

- Gatsby tried to win acceptance into upper class society by building a lavish mansion and throwing lavish parties to display his wealth.

- However, despite his wealth, he still cannot be truly accepted by upper class society.

- Gatsby's love for Daisy is an illusory pursuit of happiness, and he regards Daisy as a perfect goddess.

- However, Daisy's feelings for Gatsby are not as strong as his feelings for her, and she is more controlled by money and social status.

- This highlights the conflict between love and money, and the pain and disappointment that comes with chasing illusory goals in the pursuit of happiness.

- The green light is an important symbol that represents Gatsby's desire and pursuit of Daisy.

- It is located on the sea lighthouse across from Long Island and becomes a symbol of the distance and insurmountability between Gatsby and Daisy.

- The novel writes: "The green light caught Gatsby's eyes. He seemed to be able to see it far behind Simmons' house, far above the Egwent building, and far behind the silent trees. "

- Gatsby’s grand parties were one of his ways of displaying his wealth and social status.

- Yet behind the bustle of the party, a reality of emptiness and loneliness is revealed.

- The novel describes the scene of a grand party: "Rivers of wine, huge crowds, and loud music. But I felt that everyone was alone in the sea of ​​people, and had nothing to do with their laughter and laughter, as if everyone was there Chasing your dreams.”

- Gatsby often wore a pair of huge glasses, which became one of his trademarks.

- The glasses symbolize Gatsby's longing for reality and the past.

- In the novel, Nick describes Gatsby's glasses: "His glasses allowed him to see things forty miles away and made him forget everything about people in an instant."