The Great Gatsby

In this episode of "In Our Time," Melvyn Bragg and a panel of literary experts—Philip McGowan, William Blazek, and Sarah Churchwell—delve into F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." They explore the novel's setting in the Roaring Twenties, the themes of wealth, class, and the American Dream, and the character of Jay Gatsby as a mysterious figure driven by his love for Daisy Buchanan. The discussion covers Fitzgerald's use of language, the symbolism within the novel, and the tragic events that lead to Gatsby's downfall, as well as the initial reception and later recognition of the novel as a classic of American literature. The panel also discusses the complexities of the characters, particularly Daisy and Myrtle, and the role of the First World War in shaping the narrative.