The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby: Genre 1 key example

Genre
Explanation and Analysis:

The Great Gatsby is a work of realism, meaning that it tries to depict the world as it actually is rather than incorporating speculative or fantastical elements. Realist literature tends to elevate the mundane aspects of daily life and doesn’t shy away from depicting grotesque or disturbing aspects of the human experience. The novel is set in real places (primarily Long Island and New York City) and features real-life landmarks, like the Plaza Hotel. And while the events of Gatsby are fast-paced and not especially mundane, given Jay Gatsby’s uproarious parties, the novel is realist in that it offers a candid portrayal of the Jazz Age, for better or worse. It doesn’t shy away from the dramatic wealth gap that existed in the United States at this time or the culture of excess that the upper classes enjoyed, and it starkly portrays humanity’s potential for obsession, betrayal, greed, and cruelty.