The Great Gatsby: What To Compare It To (OCR A Level English Literature)

Topic sentence

Both The Great Gatsby and The Grapes of Wrath critique the American Dream during the early 20th century

Evidence and analysis

The Great Gatsby

The Grapes of Wrath

The novel illustrates the emptiness and moral decay beneath the surface of the American Dream during the 1920s

The novel highlights the exploitation of the working class during the Great Depression

Gatsby’s immense wealth and extravagant parties do not bring him happiness or fulfilment

The Joads, lured by promises of jobs and prosperity in California, find the reality starkly different

The characters’ lives reveal the limitations of social mobility, despite the idea that America is a land of opportunity

The dream of a better life is shattered by the harsh conditions, lack of employment and the ruthless treatment of migrant workers

The Great Gatsby exposes the moral corruption of the upper class, represented by characters like Tom Buchanan and the lifestyle in East Egg

The Grapes of Wrath challenges the idea that material success is the ultimate fulfilment of the American Dream

Fitzgerald suggests that the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to ethical compromise and a loss of moral values

Steinbeck shows how economic forces and powerful interests contribute to the suffering of the Joad family and other migrant workers

Topic sentence

Both The Great Gatsby and The Grapes of Wrath touch upon the issues of class struggle

Evidence and analysis

The Great Gatsby

The Grapes of Wrath

East Egg and West Egg symbolise the established wealthy class and the nouveau riche

Steinbeck highlights the exploitation of the working class during the Great Depression

The novel portrays the stark difference in wealth and social status between characters

The novel illustrates the exploitation of migrant workers who are willing to accept low wages for harsh working conditions

Fitzgerald explores the tension between those born into wealth (old money) and those who acquire it later in life (new money)

The Joads face exploitation by both economic systems and fellow workers

The writer shows how upper class is exclusive and resistant to social mobility

The writer shows how migrant families face discrimination and hostility in California

Gatsby’s lavish parties are attended by the wealthy and famous, but he struggles to be fully accepted in their social circles

The struggle for jobs intensifies as economic conditions worsen, leading to conflict between different classes of workers

Topic sentence

Whilst both Fitzgerald and Steinbeck examine and critique social classes, they focus on the lives of different groups

Evidence and analysis

The Great Gatsby

The Grapes of Wrath

Fitzgerald focuses on the elite upper class and the nouveau riche

Steinbeck examines the impact of economic forces on the working class during the Great Depression

The novel explores the tension between those born into wealth and those who acquire it later in life

The novel highlights the conflict between labourers and powerful corporate interests

The Great Gatsby depicts the exclusivity of the upper class, where acceptance is often based on lineage and social standing

The Grapes of Wrath explores the challenges faced by those striving for a better life

The writer critiques the materialistic values of the upper class as characters prioritise wealth and luxury over genuine human connections and moral values

The writer emphasises the importance of solidarity and unity among the working class

The writer highlights the illusion of the American Dream, suggesting that even with wealth, individuals may not find true happiness or acceptance

The Joads and other migrant families support each other in the face of adversity

Topic sentence

Both Fitzgerald and Steinbeck set their stories in America, but during different decades of importance

Evidence and analysis

The Great Gatsby

The Grapes of Wrath

Gatsby is set in the 1920s, which is a period known as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age

The Grapes of Wrath is set during the 1930s, a time of severe economic downturn known as the Great Depression

This period is characterised by economic prosperity and social change

The story takes place against the backdrop of the Dust Bowl, a period of severe dust storms and agricultural devastation in the Great Plains

The story takes place in the aftermath of World War I, with societal shifts and changes in values

The story reflects the mass migration of families from the Dust Bowl region to California in search of economic opportunities 

The story occurs during the Prohibition era, when the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were prohibited

The Grapes of Wrath features the context of labour strikes and social justice issues, as the working class faced economic challenges

The Great Gatsby reflects the decadence and excesses of the time, with extravagant parties and a pursuit of pleasure

The narrative unfolds during a period when Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal policies aimed to address economic hardships and provide relief

Text

Summary

Key comparisons with The Great Gatsby

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (1881) – set text list

The novel explores the constraints faced by women in the late 19th century. It follows a character by the name of Isabel Archer as she tries to navigate through love, marriage and a desire for independence 

• The main character is Isabel Archer, a spirited and independent American woman who inherits a substantial fortune and travels to Europe to explore life

• Against advice, she marries Gilbert Osmond, only to discover his manipulative and controlling nature

• Isabel realises the gravity of her mistake as she feels trapped and unhappy in a relationship that stifles her independence

• Isabel’s cousin tries to help her, but his terminal illness limits his ability to intervene

• The novel concludes with Isabel contemplating her future, regretting her choices and facing the consequences of her decisions

• This character could be compared to Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker

Native Son by Richard Wright (1940) – set text list

The novel follows Bigger Thomas, a young African American man in 1930s Chicago, as he grapples with extreme poverty and systematic racism. After accidentally killing a white woman, he becomes embroiled in a web of fear and violence

• The novel revolves around Bigger Thomas living in poverty in 1930s Chicago, grappling with the oppressive realities of racism and societal expectations

• Bigger accidentally kills a white woman and his actions set off a chain of events

• Driven by fear and the inevitability of persecution, Bigger engages in a series of violent acts, reflecting the oppressive environment that shapes his responses

• Bigger is captured and put on trial, highlighting the racial prejudices within the legal system and society at large

• The novel serves as a powerful critique of systemic racism, illustrating how institutionalised prejudice can lead individuals to desperate and destructive actions in the face of oppressive circumstances

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (1926)

The novel examines the disillusionment and angst of the post-World War I generation

• Set in the 1920s, the novel explores the lives of expatriates, mainly Americans, grappling with the aftermath of World War I

• The protagonist, Jake Barnes, is emotionally and physically wounded by the war

• The novel follows his complex and unfulfilled relationship with his wife Lady Brett Ashley

• Throughout the novel, characters engage in a quest for meaning and purpose in a world altered by war

• The novel explores the theme of lost identity, depicting characters who are emotionally scarred

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser (1925)

The novel follows the ambitious but morally conflicted Clyde Griffiths as he strives for success in early-20th-century America.

• Clyde Griffiths is a young and ambitious man who aspires to climb the social ladder in early-20th-century America

• Clyde becomes entangled in a love affair with a woman of lower social status, while also pursuing a relationship with a more acceptable woman

• Clyde makes a series of tragic choices that end up killing the woman from the lower social standing

• Clyde is arrested and tried for her murder, and the legal proceedings form a significant part of the novel, highlighting the impact of societal expectations on justice

• Dreiser uses Clyde’s story to critique the American Dream, illustrating how societal pressures and the pursuit of success can lead to moral compromise and tragic consequences

• The novel is a classic tragedy that is a commentary on the nature of social and moral values in American society

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote (1958)

The novella tells the story of a young woman named Holly Golightly living in New York City in the 1940s. The narrator unravels Holly’s complex past, marked by a desire for a better life and her ongoing search for love

• The novella revolves around Holly Golightly, an eccentric socialite known for her charm and personality in 1940s New York

• Holly befriends the unnamed narrator, a struggling writer, and the narrator delves into Holly’s complex past and motivations

• Holly’s character is marked by a desire for a better life and continued quest for love

• The novella explores themes of loneliness and the pursuit of happiness amid the glamorous yet superficial facade of high society in New York City

• Holly’s unconventional lifestyle and relationships have a profound impact on those around her, revealing the complexities of human connections and the consequences of chasing societal ideas

• The novella serves as both a celebration and critique of the American Dream, capturing the transient nature of relationships and the tension between authenticity and the allure of a glamorous lifestyle