25 'The Great Gatsby' Facts: Read This Novel By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Anusuya Mukherjee
Oct 10, 2023 By Anusuya Mukherjee
Originally Published on Apr 12, 2022
Read interesting 'The Great Gatsby' facts.

If you're looking for a great summer read, look no further than 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This novel is full of interesting facts and provides a fascinating glimpse into the Jazz Age in America. 'The Great Gatsby' is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that was published in 1925.

It talks about Jay Gatsby and his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan. The book is considered to be a classic and has been adapted into a movie many times.

The novel is set in New York City and is narrated by Nick Carraway, a WWI soldier who moves to Long Island. In this article, we will discuss 25 of the most interesting facts about 'The Great Gatsby'. After reading these fascinating facts, you'll be eager to pick up a copy of the book and start reading.

Characters Of 'The Great Gatsby'

This novel has four main characters and several minor characters.

Nick Carraway, Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and Jay Gatsby are the four main characters of 'The Great Gatsby'.

The several minor characters are Wolfsheim, Jordan Baker, Klipspringer, Cody, and Henry Gatz.

Nick Carraway is the narrator of 'The Great Gatsby'. He is from Minisoto. Tobey Maguire, the famous spider man actor, played this role.

Jay Gatsby, also known as James Gatsby, is the title character. He is the protagonist in the novel and stays in a flashy mansion in West Egg.

Gatsby was born James Gatz, and he reinvented himself after he met Dan Cody, a wealthy older man who took him under his wing. Leonardo Di Caprio plays the part of James Gatsby.

Daisy Buchanan is the subject of Jay Gatsby's affection and is one of the main characters in 'The Great Gatsby'. She is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy man who has an affair with Myrtle Wilson.

Daisy is described as being beautiful and careless. She is also portrayed as being shallow and materialistic. She reunites with her true love, Jay Gatsby.

One of the most interesting characters in 'The Great Gatsby' is Wolfsheim. Wolfsheim was a business associate of Gatsby's and played a role in his criminal activities. Amitabh Bachchan played this role in the movie.

'The Great Gatsby' Author

F. Scott Fitzgerald was the author of 'The Great Gatsby'. He was born on September 24, 1896, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

He was named after Francis Scott Key, his ancestor. Scott Fitzgerald was well known for his novels during the Jazz Age.

Throughout his career, he published over 164 short stories and four novels. Though he was well known during the '20s, most of his books became famous only after the author's demise.

Plot Of 'The Great Gatsby'

The theme of 'The Great Gatsby' is about the American dream. Jay Gatsby is a man who is willing to do anything to achieve his dream of being with Daisy. However, Gatsby's dream is ultimately destroyed by the society he lives in.

The book shows how this dream can be both beautiful and cruel at the same time.

The plot of 'The Great Gatsby' is relatively simple, but that doesn't mean that it isn't interesting.

Jay Gatsby is a young man who falls in love with Daisy Buchanan. However, Daisy is already married to Tom Buchanan.

When Gatsby learns that Daisy is planning to leave her husband and run away, he decides to throw a party at his estate to win her back.

But things don't go as planned, and Jay gets killed.

'The Great Gatsby' Movie

So far, 'The Great Gatsby' has been adapted into four films. Even though two of them, the 1974 version and the 2013 adaptation starring Leonardo Di Caprio, are particularly well-known, the film adaptations are thought to be inferior to the novel.

The movies are visually spectacular, but they lack the book's depth and complexity. Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of Scott Fitzgerald, was so dissatisfied with the film that she referred to it as 'rotten and awful'.

The first film adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby' was released in 1926, just one year after the book was published. It starred Warner Baxter as Jay Gatsby and Lois Wilson as Daisy Buchanan. It was a silent movie adaptation.

The second film adaptation was released in 1974 and starred Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan. This version was directed by Jack Clayton and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including for Best Picture.

The fourth film adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby' was released in 2013 and starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan. This version was directed by Baz Luhrmann and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including for Best Picture.

Did You Know...

The author had terrible spelling issues. He was so awful that 'This Side Of Paradise' was called one of the most illiterate works of any writer ever produced by American literary critic Edmund Wilson.

A minor character in the film was an inspiration for an actress's stage name. Yes, Sigourney Weaver obtained her stage name from Jordan Baker's aunt in 'The Great Gatsby', Sigourney Howard.

Francis Cugat did the cover art for this classic novel. Scott was so impressed by the work that he rewrote certain parts of the book to fit the cover perfectly.

Edith Cummings, one of the top amateur golfers during the Jazz Age, inspired the character Jordan Baker. After meeting Cummings at a golf club, F. Scott Fitzgerald was inspired to write this character.

Scott Fitzgerald drew inspiration for 'The Great Gatsby' from Alain Fournier's French novel 'Le Grand Meaulnes'.

Scott Fitzgerald came up with the acme Jordan Baker by combining Jordan Motor Car Company and Baker Motor Vehicle, two well-known 'Roaring Twenties' automobile companies.

According to an interview, several characters in the novel were inspired by the author's acquaintances and family. A Chicago debutante was the inspiration behind the character Daisy Buchanan.

FAQs

What does Gatsby symbolize?

One of the most interesting aspects of 'The Great Gatsby' is Fitzgerald's symbolism. Many people believe that Gatsby represents love, and his story symbolizes the American dream.

Gatsby represents the American dream, and his life epitomizes the pursuit of wealth and status. He is a self-made man who has risen from humble beginnings to become one of the richest men in America.

What is the main point of 'The Great Gatsby'?

The main point of 'The Great Gatsby' is to show the American dream and how it can lead to tragedy. Jay Gatsby is a character who embodies the American dream, and his story shows how this dream can be corrupted.

Is 'The Great Gatsby' a true story?

No, 'The Great Gatsby' is a work of fiction. However, it is based on Fitzgerald's own life and experiences in the Jazz Age.

Who killed Jay Gatsby?

George Wilson, a gas-station owner, kills Jay Gatsby.

What is 'The Great Gatsby' known for?

'The Great Gatsby' is known for its beautiful writing, vivid characters, the depiction of '20s America, and exploration of love and relationships. Many famous authors, including Ernest Hemingway and T.S. Eliot, have praised this book.

What are some interesting facts about 'The Great Gatsby'?

'The Great Gatsby' was not famous until the '40s. Several publishers even rejected it. Scott Fitzgerald only took two years to complete this masterpiece.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

Sources

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/g/the-great-gatsby/character-list

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/50822/24-great-gatsby-facts

https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Great-Gatsby

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby_(2013_film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby

See All

Written by Anusuya Mukherjee

Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

Anusuya Mukherjee picture

Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".

Read full bio >