Gatsby : The Cultural History of the Great American Novel

tool in helping readers to better comprehend their lives and the broader world around them. A "biography\u0022 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, this book examines The Great Gatsby's evolution from a nearly-forgotten 1920s time capsule to a revered cultural touchstone. Batchelor explores how this embodiment of the American Dream has become an iconic part of our national folklore, how the central themes and ideas emerging from the book-from the fulfillment of the American Dream to the role of wealth in society-resonate with contemporary readers who struggle with similar uncertainties today. By exploring the timeless elements of reinvention, romanticism, and relentless pursuit of the unattainable, Batchelor confirms the novel's status as "The Great American Novel\u0022 and, more importantly, explains to students, scholars, and fans alike what makes Gatsby so great. [Publisher's text]