Modernist Techniques in The Great Gatsby: A Literary Analysis

Modernist Techniques in The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) is one of the most representative novels of the Roaring Twenties in the United States. The novel charts Nick Carraway's story as he recalls the series of events that occurred during his stay in New York. He meets Gatsby, a millionaire and the central character of the novel. Through Nick’s eyes, the reader is provided with enough details to understand the story.

The ideas of Modernism flourished in the 1920s, and Fitzgerald was deeply influenced by this movement. He became interested in Impressionism and decided to write The Great Gatsby as a piece of art. Beyond his colorful descriptions, the symbols within the novel are highly relevant, representing key social themes of the 1920s. In this essay, I will discuss how Nick’s point of view, time shifts, impressionist descriptions, symbols, and motifs are used to address the issues of Modernism and the Roaring Twenties.

1. Nick’s Point of View and Perspectivism

Nick’s point of view is essential to the novel, addressing the issue of perspectivism supported by modernist writers. The reader receives extensive information concerning Gatsby’s life, from his rise as a millionaire to his eventual downfall. This information is filtered through Nick, who attempts to understand Gatsby while judging his actions—often expressing disagreement with his decisions.

This is evident at the beginning of the book, where Nick states that he used to reserve judgment toward people, but notes that his tolerance “has a limit.” He then introduces Gatsby, the subject of the narrative. Nick’s perspective on the world and Gatsby represents a rejection of objectivism in favor of the subjectivity, individuality, and perspectivism championed by modernist writers.

2. Fragmentation and Time Shifts

The division of the narrative into distinct time shifts and their interleaved use refers to fragmentation, another core theme of Modernism. The story is presented through three primary time frames:

• 1923–1924: Nick recalls events that occurred a few months prior.
• 1922: Nick’s primary stay in New York.
• 1906–1922: The shared past of Nick, Gatsby, and Daisy.

The narrator provides these fragmented time shifts and interleaves them as the story unfolds, allowing the reader to piece together the narrative. For instance, the history of Gatsby and Daisy is revealed to explain Gatsby’s behavior in her presence. Later, when Tom accuses Gatsby of illegal activities, the fragmented structure helps the reader understand the gravity of the unmasking. This interleaved use of time shifts is a definitive hallmark of Modernist literature.