Question

How is "The Great Gatsby" a satire?

Answer 1

Hint: "The Great Gatsby." Although the story is fictional, Fitzgerald used the novel as a vehicle to offer social commentary on 1920s American life, particularly the upper echelons of society. In this particular subject, Fitzgerald had made use of satirical forms to bring emphasis to the non natural appearance of his protagonists and antagonists.

Complete answer:
A Life of Privilege : F. Scott Fitzgerald satirizes the Leisure Class, America's socioeconomic elite who has had more wealth than they recognized what else to do with, in the book. Tom and Daisy Buchanan, as well as Jordan Baker, reflect the shortcomings of the overly wealthy. They can get away with anything because they have so much money. The rules don't matter to them because, then again, they can still buy their way out of problems.

Materialism : Consumption in the United States increased after World War I. The American way of life was made simpler by new technology and goods. Beyond the benefits of modernity, many Americans have succumbed to the vices of materialism, the belief that possessing objects is more necessary than everything else (also spirituality and morality).

Although some social satire maintains a light tone overall, The Great Gatsby dives deep into human frailty. The catastrophe at the end of the novel, wherein Myrtle Wilson, Gatsby, and George Wilson all die in fast succession, is dealt with without levity. This sequence of events demonstrates the characters' callousness, but it also highlights Gatsby's decency and recognizes him as a character deserving of compassion after Daisy rejects him.

Nick's remark that Gatsby is "better than the whole damn lot put together" and his continued allegiance after Gatsby's death imply that Gatsby's death has real ramifications. This serious tone contrasted with the book's softer, satirical tone at the start.

Note: Grief, compassion, and sorrow are often hard to approach in satire, so Fitzgerald utilizes a more formal language to express these feelings. He develops his protagonists, primarily Nick and Gatsby, from caricatures to properly developed, realistic people.