| The present paper intends to analyze the modern technological innovations represented in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, and tries to make an interpretation of the symbolic meanings of these technological innovations. In his writing, Fitzgerald relies on the new inventions greatly, and most of his novels are pervaded with innovations such as telephone, automobile, cinema, and magazine to name just a few. These machines and innovations are juxtaposed in his literary texts with men and women in the Lost Generation. The roles of these machines are significant and dual. For example, the motorcar is both a carrier that carries the characters to wherever they intend to go and a destroyer that results in tragic deaths; and the telephone is a media for interpersonal communication as well as an informer, which discloses secrets. Apart from being an essential factor in developing the plot, modern technology is also allusive in revealing the theme of the novel. Besides the introduction and the conclusion, the present thesis is constituted of four chapters.Chapter one focuses on the electricity and light. In this chapter, the illusion of love between Gatsby and Daisy, as well as the illusion of New York city will be investigated. Chapter two mainly deals with the telephone. It will be discussed mainly from telephone’s effects on modern American’s morality and interpersonal relationships. The characteristic of this new mode of communication gives rise to the duality of effect. The subtle relationships between the characters are disclosed and analyzed. Chapter three is allotted to analyze camera, commerce and corruption. It begins with an investigation of Fitzgerald’s obsession with photography and moving picture. It will end with a discussion of the luxurious life and the declined morality of the rich. Chapter four intends to connect the popularity and the convenience of cars with morality and criminality. There will also be related discussions of car symbols in Fitzgerald’s other novels. |
PDF Full Text Request