If we are talking about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s award-winning novel “The Great Gatsby.”  I would say the strongest literary theory present throughout the novel is the archetypal theory. To give a brief explanation on the archetypal theory it focuses on reoccurring symbols and themes that relate back to distinct cultures and eras. In the “Great Gatsby,” the different archetypes are focused on the complexity of love, following your dreams, and the burdens that come along with overambition. I want to start off with a character named Daisy Buchanan, she is the wife of Tom Buchanan and Gatsby's past lover. Daisy would be classified under the archetype “female fatale,” this archetype is when a woman is beautiful, mysterious, and uses her beauty to manipulate others. This archetype is known to be associated with manipulation and danger. A quote that supports Daisy’s behaviour is “I’m certainly glad to see you again. You’re looking great.” (Fitzgerald 80). When Daisy utters these words upon reuniting with her past love Gatsby, it shows her archetype in several ways. Her tone of voice and enthusiasm creates a feeling of allurance and flattery during this brief exchange, this could captivate Gatsby into wanting more from Daisy. How Daisy speaks is only to relight flames and bring back the chemistry she once had with Gatsby. Daisy’s charm is eventually one of the biggest reasons for Gatsby’s later demise. When Gatsby takes the blame for Daisy’s wrongdoing proves how her female fatale archetype had Gatsby wrapped around her finger. 

On the contrary, regarding F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel “The Great Gatsby.” The weakest literary theory present would be the post-colonial theory, this theory explores the consequences of colonialism and the domination colonizers had on culture and society. In “The Great Gatsby” the novel focuses more on wealth status, romance, stereotypes, and the American dream rather than the direct impacts of post-colonialism. At some points in the story there are moments where racial superiority is mentioned. For example, when Tom Buchanan says, “The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will be – will be utterly submerged.” (Fitzgerald 13), although this statement does reflect on white supremacist ideas, underlyingly it is more focused on the power dynamic between old money and new money. Throughout the novel Jay Gatsby goes on a quest to heighten his social status and have people who come from old money take him more seriously. This desire to have respect roots from being around people who come from old money and looking up to them. These issues are not stemming from challenges with cultural identity or race, but from fitting into the American dream which is wealth and social status. Although there may be a few instances where the post-colonial literary theory is present in “The Great Gatsby” there is not enough evidence to fully analyze the text from this lense. This is because the novel focuses more on the crave for power, the journey of love, and the challenges that come with social dynamics. 

Gatsby’s death marks the end of his ambitions and dreams broadening the societal complications during that era. To give a little back story about Gatsby. He was a very humble man who has made all the money he has by himself; he is envious of people who come from old money and aspires to gain their respect.  

It is later revealed that Gatsby accumulated his wealth to regain his past love, Daisy Buchanan, who he is deeply in love with. Although Gatsby was extremely wealthy, he was never respected amongst the many people who came from old money, even though he was extremely rich. This lack of respect shows the divison of classes that show throughout the novel. Gatsby throws elegant parties and shows off his wealthy life. He does this to close the wedge between him and the old money folk, but ultimately just makes it worse. Gatsby’s unfortunate death shows how even someone's strong ambitions and societies barriers that stop someone from achieving their final goal. Moreover, I want to talk a little bit more about Daisy and Gatsby’s complicated love. It is explained in the novel that Daisy and Gatsby had a past relationship and an immense amount of love for each other which ended due to social status. When they finally meet again Daisy chooses to stay with her husband Tom even though Gatsby had gained a lot of power, despite her feelings for Gatsby.  

Tom is the face of old money and has no respect for Gatsby. At one point Tom even referred to Gatsby as a “common swindler” all because of the way Gatsby gained his wealth. After Gatsby’s death Tom and Daisy return to their normal lavish lives blissfully unaware the mess they have caused for other people. This behavior proves that in the 20s people who ca from old money and had a lot of respect were careless of the mess they caused for others, as long as it was not harming them, or most importantly their money and status they had no care in the world.  

  Even though Gatsby was a person of high wealth who would host extravagant parties there were very few people who showed up to his funeral which shows how the people he thought be built relationships did not really care about him, they cared about his money. The book criticizes the hollowness of Gatsbys relationships showing how even true human connections can be severed by money and power. In conclusion, Gatsbys death serves as a reminder of the moral decay and power-hungry people of the 1920s. 

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