2.2.1

Early & Modern Criticism

Test yourself

Criticism of The Great Gatsby

Upon its publication in 1925, reviews of The Great Gatsby were fairly positive. But Fitzgerald was left disappointed by sluggish sales: he had hoped to sell 75,000 copies, but only managed around 20,000 in the initial run of the book.

Illustrative background for Positive reviewsIllustrative background for Positive reviews ?? "content

Positive reviews

  • Lilian C. Ford of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the book 'leaves the reader in a mood of chastened wonder', going on to declare the book to be a 'work of art'.
  • Edwin Clark of the New York Times also positively reviewed the book, calling it 'curious… mystical and glamorous'.
Illustrative background for Negative reviewsIllustrative background for Negative reviews ?? "content

Negative reviews

  • One particularly harsh critic was Harry Eagleton of The Dallas Morning News who commented that 'one finishes Great Gatsby with a feeling of regret, not for the fate of the people in the book, but for Mr. Fitzgerald.'
  • Meanwhile, Ruth Snyder of New York Evening World declared the book to be 'painfully forced' and stated that she was 'quite convinced after reading The Great Gatsby that Mr. Fitzgerald is not one of the great American writers of today.'
Illustrative background for Increasing popularityIllustrative background for Increasing popularity ?? "content

Increasing popularity

  • History has been far kinder to The Great Gatsby than initial reviews or sales suggested, and the book has gained steadily in reputation over the years since Fitzgerald’s death in 1940.
  • Critic Lionel Trilling wrote in 1945 that the character of Gatsby could be considered to be a figure who represented America itself.
  • In 1960, Arthur Mizener of the New York Times declared the novel to be 'a classic of twentieth-century American fiction'.
Illustrative background for Best-sellerIllustrative background for Best-seller ?? "content

Best-seller

  • In modern times, the book continues to be a worldwide best-seller, continuing to sell around 500,000 copies annually and having sold more than 25 million copies in total.

Jump to other topics

1Specification Overview

1.1Specification Overview

2Context

3Plot Summary

4Character Profiles

5Key Ideas

6Writing Techniques

7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson