122 The Great Gatsby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel that has captivated readers for generations. With its themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream, there are countless essay topics that can be explored when analyzing this novel. Whether you are a student writing a paper for class or just a fan of the book looking for some inspiration, here are 122 great Gatsby essay topic ideas and examples to get you started.

1. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
2. The role of social class in the novel.
3. The theme of illusion vs. reality in The Great Gatsby.
4. The significance of the Valley of Ashes in the novel.
5. How does Fitzgerald use weather to create mood and atmosphere in the novel?
6. The role of women in The Great Gatsby.
7. The character of Jay Gatsby as a tragic hero.
8. The impact of World War I on the characters in the novel.
9. The symbolism of Gatsby's parties.
10. The theme of time in The Great Gatsby.
11. The role of religion in the novel.
12. The significance of the color yellow in the novel.
13. The character of Tom Buchanan as a symbol of the old money elite.
14. The theme of morality in The Great Gatsby.
15. The role of Nick Carraway as a narrator.
16. The symbolism of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg.
17. The significance of the character of Meyer Wolfsheim.
18. The theme of love in The Great Gatsby.
19. The role of race and ethnicity in the novel.
20. The symbolism of cars in the novel.
21. The theme of betrayal in The Great Gatsby.
22. The significance of the character of Daisy Buchanan.
23. The role of alcohol in the novel.
24. The symbolism of the letter from Gatsby's father.
25. The theme of isolation in The Great Gatsby.
26. The significance of Gatsby's mansion.
27. The role of music in the novel.
28. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
29. The theme of materialism in The Great Gatsby.
30. The significance of the character of Jordan Baker.
31. The role of Nick Carraway as a foil to Gatsby.
32. The symbolism of the weather in the novel.
33. The theme of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby.
34. The significance of the character of George Wilson.
35. The role of fashion in the novel.
36. The symbolism of the East and West Egg.
37. The theme of social mobility in The Great Gatsby.
38. The significance of the character of Myrtle Wilson.
39. The role of architecture in the novel.
40. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
41. The theme of loyalty in The Great Gatsby.
42. The significance of the character of Owl Eyes.
43. The role of violence in the novel.
44. The symbolism of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg.
45. The theme of forgiveness in The Great Gatsby.
46. The significance of the character of Dan Cody.
47. The role of nature in the novel.
48. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
49. The theme of fate in The Great Gatsby.
50. The significance of the character of Catherine.
51. The role of technology in the novel.
52. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
53. The theme of identity in The Great Gatsby.
54. The significance of the character of Henry C. Gatz.
55. The role of consumerism in the novel.
56. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
57. The theme of justice in The Great Gatsby.
58. The significance of the character of Pammy Buchanan.
59. The role of education in the novel.
60. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
61. The theme of power in The Great Gatsby.
62. The significance of the character of Michaelis.
63. The role of politics in the novel.
64. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
65. The theme of memory in The Great Gatsby.
66. The significance of the character of Lucille McKee.
67. The role of geography in the novel.
68. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
69. The theme of ambition in The Great Gatsby.
70. The significance of the character of Edythe.
71. The role of communication in the novel.
72. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
73. The theme of betrayal in The Great Gatsby.
74. The significance of the character of Horace Kean.
75. The role of language in the novel.
76. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
77. The theme of trust in The Great Gatsby.
78. The significance of the character of Lillian Gish.
79. The role of media in the novel.
80. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
81. The theme of friendship in The Great Gatsby.
82. The significance of the character of Mrs. McKee.
83. The role of technology in the novel.
84. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
85. The theme of wealth in The Great Gatsby.
86. The significance of the character of Ewing Klipspringer.
87. The role of art in the novel.
88. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
89. The theme of sacrifice in The Great Gatsby.
90. The significance of the character of James Gatz.
91. The role of literature in the novel.
92. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
93. The theme of obsession in The Great Gatsby.
94. The significance of the character of Mr. McKee.
95. The role of science in the novel.
96. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
97. The theme of truth in The Great Gatsby.
98. The significance of the character of Mr. Gatz.
99. The role of philosophy in the novel.
100. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
101. The theme of beauty in The Great Gatsby.
102. The significance of the character of Mrs. Gatz.
103. The role of psychology in the novel.
104. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
105. The theme of desire in The Great Gatsby.
106. The significance of the character of Mr. Carraway.
107. The role of sociology in the novel.
108. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
109. The theme of power in The Great Gatsby.
110. The significance of the character of Mr. Buchanan.
111. The role of anthropology in the novel.
112. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
113. The theme of love in The Great Gatsby.
114. The significance of the character of Miss Baker.
115. The role of history in the novel.
116. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
117. The theme of identity in The Great Gatsby.
118. The significance of the character of Miss Wilson.
119. The role of philosophy in the novel.
120. The symbolism of the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.
121. The theme of betrayal in The Great Gatsby.
122. The significance of the character of Miss Gish.

With so many different angles to explore, The Great Gatsby offers endless possibilities for analysis and interpretation. Whether you are interested in exploring the symbolism, themes, characters, or historical context of the novel, there is sure to be a topic that will spark your interest. So pick a topic, start writing, and dive into the world of The Great Gatsby.