The Great Gatsby Essay Topics

The Great Gatsby  by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel that explores the decadence and excess of the 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to New York City and becomes involved in the lives of wealthy socialites, including the enigmatic and mysterious Jay Gatsby.

As a literary work, “The Great Gatsby” offers numerous essay topics for exploration and analysis. Some possible essay topics for “The Great Gatsby” include:

1. The Role of the American Dream: Explore the theme of the American Dream in the novel. How does Fitzgerald critique or celebrate this idea? How does Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream shape the novel’s plot and themes?
2. The Symbolism of the Green Light: Analyze the significance of the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. What does it represent, and how does it drive the plot and characters’ actions?
3. The Theme of Wealth and Class: Examine how the novel portrays wealth and class in America during the 1920s. How does Gatsby’s wealth affect his relationships with other characters? What does the novel suggest about the relationship between money and happiness?
4. The Role of Women: Consider how women are portrayed in the novel. How does Fitzgerald depict Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle? What does the novel suggest about the gender roles and expectations of the time period?
5. The Motif of Time: Explore the theme of time in the novel. How does Fitzgerald use time as a motif throughout the story? How does the passage of time affect the characters’ relationships and experiences?
6. The Narrator’s Role: Analyze the role of Nick Carraway as the narrator of the story. How does his perspective shape our understanding of the characters and events? What does his character reveal about the novel’s themes and message?
7. The Theme of Illusion and Reality: Consider the theme of illusion and reality in the novel. How do characters create and maintain illusions? How does this affect their relationships and actions? How does the novel suggest that we can distinguish between illusion and reality?
8. The American Dream in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the portrayal of the American Dream in the novel, and how it relates to the characters and their actions.
9. The Role of Women in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the portrayal of women in the novel, and the impact of their actions on the plot.
10. The Use of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of symbols in the novel, such as the green light, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes, and how they contribute to the overall themes.
11. The Relationship Between Gatsby and Daisy: Discuss the relationship between the two characters, and how it affects the plot and the other characters in the novel.
12. Social Class and Status in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how the theme of social class is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
13. The Role of Narration in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of narration in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
14. The Corruption of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how the novel portrays the corruption of the American Dream, and the impact of this corruption on the characters and their actions.
15. The Significance of the Title The Great Gatsby: Analyze the significance of the title, and how it relates to the themes and motifs in the novel.
16. The Use of Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the use of foreshadowing in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
17. The Importance of Setting in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the importance of setting in the novel, and how it contributes to the themes and the mood of the story.
18. The Themes of Love and Loss in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the themes of love and loss in the novel, and how they relate to the characters’ actions and motivations.
19. The Significance of Color in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the use of color in the novel, such as the color green, and how it contributes to the themes and motifs.
20. The Influence of Society on the Characters in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how the characters are influenced by society and its expectations, and how this affects their relationships and actions.
21. The Role of Wealth in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how wealth is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
22. The Contrast Between East Egg and West Egg in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the contrast between the two settings, and how it contributes to the themes and motifs in the novel.
23. The Use of Irony in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the use of irony in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
24. The Significance of Music in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of music in the novel, and how it contributes to the mood and themes.
25. The Role of Time in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how time is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters and the plot.
26. The Flaws of the Characters in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the flaws of the characters, such as Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy and Tom’s infidelity, and how these flaws contribute to the themes and the plot.
27. The Importance of Dreams in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the importance of dreams in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
29. The Significance of Weather in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of weather in the novel, and how it contributes to the mood and themes.
30. The Role of Materialism in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how materialism is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
31. The Role of Race in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the portrayal of race in the novel, and how it contributes to the themes and motifs.
32. The Use of Flashbacks in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the use of flashbacks in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
33. The Significance of Dreams and Illusions in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of dreams and illusions in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
34. The Role of Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the role of Nick as the narrator, and how his perspective contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
35. The Significance of Names in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of names in the novel, such as the name “Gatsby,” and how they contribute to the themes and motifs.
36. The Influence of the Past on the Characters in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how the past influences the characters’ actions and relationships, and how it affects the plot.
37. The Significance of Dreams and Reality in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of dreams and reality in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
38. The Significance of the Green Light in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the green light, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs in the novel.
39. The Significance of Dialogue in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of dialogue in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
40. The Role of Geography in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how geography is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
41. The Use of Metaphors in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of metaphors in the novel, such as the metaphor of the green light, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
42. The Significance of the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs in the novel.
43. The Role of Morality in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how morality is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
44. The Significance of Parties in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the parties in the novel, and how they contribute to the plot and the themes.
45. The Significance of Names and Identity in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of names and identity in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
46. The Influence of the Media in The Great Gatsby: Discuss how the media is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
47. The Role of Religion in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how religion is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
48. The Significance of Hope in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of hope in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
50. The Role of Gender in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how gender is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
51. The Significance of the Valley of Ashes in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the Valley of Ashes, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs in the novel.
52. The Use of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of symbolism in the novel, such as the green light and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
53. The Significance of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the American Dream in the novel, and how it is portrayed through the characters and the plot.
54. The Role of Social Class in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how social class is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
55. The Significance of Cars in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of cars in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
56. The Use of Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of foreshadowing in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
57. The Significance of Geography in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of geography in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
58. The Role of Dreams in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how dreams are portrayed in the novel, and how they affect the characters’ actions and relationships.
59. The Significance of the Title of The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the title, and how it relates to the overall themes and motifs in the novel.
61. The Role of Time in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how time is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
62. The Significance of Colors in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of colors in the novel, such as the color green and the color yellow, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
63. The Use of Irony in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of irony in the novel, and how it contributes to the plot and the themes.
64. The Significance of Music in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of music in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
65. The Role of Nature in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how nature is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
66. The Significance of Dreams in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of dreams in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
67. The Use of Flashbacks in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of flashbacks in the novel, and how they contribute to the plot and the themes.
68. The Significance of Names in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of names in the novel, such as Jay Gatsby’s real name, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
69. The Role of Marriage in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how marriage is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
70. The Significance of Wealth in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of wealth in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
71. The Role of Religion in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how religion is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
72. The Significance of the Jazz Age in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the Jazz Age, and how it is portrayed in the novel.
73. The Use of Imagery in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of imagery in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
74. The Significance of Narration in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the novel’s first-person narration, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
75. The Role of Memory in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how memory is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
76. The Significance of the Weather in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the weather in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
77. The Use of Metaphors in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of metaphors in the novel, such as the “valley of ashes,” and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
78. The Significance of the Prohibition Era in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the Prohibition Era, and how it is portrayed in the novel.
79. The Role of Dreams versus Reality in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how the characters’ dreams and realities clash in the novel, and how it affects the overall plot and themes.
80. The Significance of Eyes in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of eyes in the novel, such as the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
82. The Role of Class in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how class is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
83. The Significance of Materialism in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of materialism in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
84. The Use of Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of foreshadowing in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
85. The Significance of Loyalty in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of loyalty in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
86. The Role of Gender in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how gender is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
87. The Significance of Hope in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of hope in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
88. The Use of Motifs in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of motifs in the novel, such as the green light and the valley of ashes, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
89. The Significance of Illusion versus Reality in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the characters’ illusions versus their realities in the novel, and how it affects the overall plot and themes.
90. The Role of Education in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how education is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
91. The Significance of American Dream in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the American Dream in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
92. The Role of Time in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how time is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
93. The Significance of Geography in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of geography in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
94. The Use of Irony in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of irony in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
95. The Significance of Names in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of names in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
96. The Role of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of symbolism in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
97. The Significance of Color in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of color in the novel, such as the colors green and white, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
98. The Use of Flashbacks in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of flashbacks in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall plot and themes.
99. The Significance of Music in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of music in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
100. The Role of Love in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how love is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
101. The Significance of the Automobile in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the automobile in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
102. The Use of Imagery in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of imagery in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
103. The Significance of Dreams in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of dreams in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
104. The Role of Morality in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how morality is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
105. The Significance of Religion in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of religion in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
106. The Use of Allusion in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of allusion in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
107. The Significance of Weather in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of weather in the novel, such as the use of rain and heat, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
108. The Role of Power in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how power is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
109. The Significance of Friendship in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of friendship in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
110. The Use of Dialogue in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of dialogue in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
111. The Significance of the Epigraph in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the epigraph at the beginning of the novel, and how it sets the tone for the rest of the story.
112. The Role of Gender in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how gender is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
113. The Significance of Jazz Age in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of Jazz Age in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
114. The Use of Metaphors in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of metaphors in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
115. The Significance of Wealth in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of wealth in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
116. The Role of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how the American Dream is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
117. The Significance of Eyes in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of eyes in the novel, such as the use of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
118. The Use of Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of foreshadowing in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
119. The Significance of the Green Light in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
120. The Role of Class in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how class is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
121. The Significance of the Setting in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the setting in the novel, such as the use of East Egg, West Egg, and the Valley of Ashes, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
122. The Use of Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of color symbolism in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
123. The Significance of Time in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of time in the novel, such as the use of flashbacks and the passage of time, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
124. The Role of Geography in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how geography is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
125. The Significance of Gatsby’s Parties in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of Gatsby’s parties, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
126. The Use of Irony in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of irony in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
127. The Significance of Nick Carraway as a Narrator in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of Nick Carraway as a narrator, and how his perspective shapes the reader’s understanding of the story.
128. The Role of Marriage in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how marriage is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
129. The Significance of Cars in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of cars in the novel, such as the use of the yellow Rolls-Royce and the fatal car accident, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
130. The Use of Flashbacks in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of flashbacks in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall plot and themes.
131. The Significance of Silence in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of silence in the novel, such as the use of pauses and gaps in conversation, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
133. The Role of Mythology in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how the characters and plot of the novel draw upon mythology, such as the story of Icarus and Daedalus.
134. The Significance of Nick and Gatsby’s Relationship in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the relationship between Nick and Gatsby, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs of the novel.
135. The Use of Allusions in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of literary and historical allusions in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall plot and themes.
136. The Significance of Weather in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of weather in the novel, such as the use of rain and heat, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
137. The Role of Dreams and Nightmares in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how dreams and nightmares are portrayed in the novel, and how they contribute to the overall plot and themes.
138. The Significance of Clothing in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of clothing in the novel, such as the use of costumes and uniforms, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
139. The Use of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of symbolism in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
140. The Significance of Language in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of language in the novel, such as the use of dialect and slang, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
141. The Role of Morality in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how morality is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
142. The Significance of Names in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of names in the novel, such as the use of pseudonyms and nicknames, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
143. The Role of Parenting in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how parenting is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
144. The Significance of Jazz in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of jazz music in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
145. The Use of Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of foreshadowing in the novel, and how it contributes to the overall plot and themes.
146. The Significance of Nick’s Midwestern Background in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of Nick’s Midwestern background, and how it shapes his perspective on the events of the novel.
147. The Role of Religion in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how religion is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
148. The Significance of Eyes in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of eyes in the novel, such as the use of the billboard with the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
149. The Use of Imagery in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of imagery in the novel, such as the use of colors and nature, and how they contribute to the overall plot and themes.
150. The Significance of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of the American Dream in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
151. The Role of Social Class in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how social class is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
152. The Significance of Dreams and Illusions in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of dreams and illusions in the novel, such as the idea of the “green light,” and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
153. The Role of Women in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how women are portrayed in the novel, and how their roles contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
154. The Significance of Time in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of time in the novel, such as the use of flashbacks and the idea of the “past,” and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
155. The Use of Irony in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of irony in the novel, such as the idea of the “valley of ashes” and the contrast between the opulence of the wealthy and the poverty of the working class.
156. The Significance of Cars in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of cars in the novel, such as the use of the automobile as a symbol of status and freedom, and how they contribute to the overall themes and motifs.
157. The Role of Friendship in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how friendship is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
158. The Significance of Geography in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of geography in the novel, such as the setting of West Egg and East Egg, and how it contributes to the overall themes and motifs.
159. The Use of Satire in The Great Gatsby: Analyze the use of satire in the novel, such as the way in which Fitzgerald critiques the excess and superficiality of the wealthy.
160. The Significance of Wealth in The Great Gatsby: Discuss the significance of wealth in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.
161. The Role of Perception in The Great Gatsby: Analyze how perception is portrayed in the novel, and how it affects the characters’ actions and relationships.

These are just a few possible essay topics for “The Great Gatsby.” As you explore the novel, you may find other themes or ideas that you want to delve into more deeply. Whatever topic you choose, be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the text and to engage with the novel’s central themes and messages. You may also be interested in reading related article on Best persuasive topic. In case you need to read the book check it here. 

Do you have an assignment that you need help on be it an essay on The great Gatsby ,Book Review: The Great Gatsby etc. Feel free to reach us.