Apparence et réalité dans Gatsby le Magnifique

A true classic of English language fiction, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (1925) has stood the test of time not only thanks to its compelling characters and impeccable prose, but also due to its profound reflections on the class system, the individual’s place within society at large and the corruption of the American dream. In this paper, I will argue that the conflict between appearance and reality serves as a framework for understanding the hero’s journey, from the creation of a false identity to his romantic idealization of the past and its resulting consequences. Indeed, if solitude is the price to pay for having climbed the social ladder without ever really belonging with the elites, then Gatsby’s tragic destiny stems from his inability – or even refusal – to see the world for what it is and from his relentless pursuit of a noble, but ultimately hollow idea.