『위대한 개츠비』에 나타난 “미국인의 꿈”의 원형으로서의 기독교 윤리
Christian Ethics as the Archetype of American Dream in The Great Gatsby
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It is not surprising to say that The Great Gatsby represents American modernism since it artistically portrays the theme of “American Dream” in the twentieth century of America and reflects the turbulent transition of American society after World War I. In addition to “American Sublime,” “American Dream” is one of the two main topics in the history of American literature that has been dealt with in many literary works recurrently from the early American times to the present. The beginning of American history starts with the Puritans who pursue the religious freedom. The forefathers of America placed a great emphasis on Christian ethics in their lives and could keep up a good living standard by hard working as time goes by. America comes to be the land of opportunity for everyone who works hard with his or her talent. After all, “American Dream” becomes a mythic motif for ordinary people in America. However, as materialism prospers and vulgar consumerism surges especially in “Jazz Age” after World War I, “American Dream” loses its archetypal virtues of Christian ethics. Unfortunately, “American Dream” without Christian ethics becomes a nightmare. Christian ethics is the essential factor in the interpretation of The Great Gatsby which deals with the disruption of American society. Above all, major couples in the novel do not reveal any Christian ethics which originates in the Bible. They are against the biblical system of marriage which signifies a blessing for a man and a woman by God and requires a husband and a wife to be faithful. They appear to be indulged in materialistic consumerism devoid of mental and spiritual ideas. At the same time, Gatsby as a main character partly shows some Christian ethics of temperance, hard working and diligence in the process of pursuing “American Dream,” and that is what distinguishes him most from the other characters. In addition, Nick as a narrator and a character is portrayed as the person who emphasizes some moral virtues of Christian ethics from the very beginning to the end of the novel. Many critics of 21th century witness the return of religion especially led by Marxist theorists including Terry Eagleton, Alain Badiou, Giogio Agamben, Slavoj Žižek, Jürgen Habermas and John Gray. Jacques Derrida also recognizes the reappearance of religion which is synonym for Christianity for Westerners. The Marxist theorists value Christian ethics as a power to ameliorate materialistic society of capitalism in 21th century. At this point, it is significant to reevaluate the value of Christian ethics in “American Dream” in The Great Gatsby.
Abstract
It is not surprising to say that The Great Gatsby represents American modernism since it artistically portrays the theme of “American Dream” in the twentieth century of America and reflects the turbulent transition of American society after World War I. In addition to “American Sublime,” “American Dream” is one of the two main topics in the history of American literature that has been dealt with in many literary works recurrently from the early American times to the present. The beginning of American history starts with the Puritans who pursue the religious freedom. The forefathers of America placed a great emphasis on Christian ethics in their lives and could keep up a good living standard by hard working as time goes by. America comes to be the land of opportunity for everyone who works hard with his or her talent. After all, “American Dream” becomes a mythic motif for ordinary people in America. However, as materialism prospers and vulgar consumerism surges especially in “Jazz Age” after World War I, “American Dream” loses its archetypal virtues of Christian ethics. Unfortunately, “American Dream” without Christian ethics becomes a nightmare. Christian ethics is the essential factor in the interpretation of The Great Gatsby which deals with the disruption of American society. Above all, major couples in the novel do not reveal any Christian ethics which originates in the Bible. They are against the biblical system of marriage which signifies a blessing for a man and a woman by God and requires a husband and a wife to be faithful. They appear to be indulged in materialistic consumerism devoid of mental and spiritual ideas. At the same time, Gatsby as a main character partly shows some Christian ethics of temperance, hard working and diligence in the process of pursuing “American Dream,” and that is what distinguishes him most from the other characters. In addition, Nick as a narrator and a character is portrayed as the person who emphasizes some moral virtues of Christian ethics from the very beginning to the end of the novel. Many critics of 21th century witness the return of religion especially led by Marxist theorists including Terry Eagleton, Alain Badiou, Giogio Agamben, Slavoj Žižek, Jürgen Habermas and John Gray. Jacques Derrida also recognizes the reappearance of religion which is synonym for Christianity for Westerners. The Marxist theorists value Christian ethics as a power to ameliorate materialistic society of capitalism in 21th century. At this point, it is significant to reevaluate the value of Christian ethics in “American Dream” in The Great Gatsby.
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