Great Gatsby EssayThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald shows many examples of modernism. Fitzgerald shows many techniques of modernism such as loss of control, alienation, corruption of the American dream, violation of society's rules, and feeling restless. Fitzgerald also shows modernism through fragmented writing. An example of a modernism technique used by Fitzgerald is loss of control. Characters often lose control and make bad decisions that have horrible effects. For example, Tom Buchanan, married to Daisy Buchanan, who is the first cousin of the main character and narrator of the story, is having an affair with Mrs. Myrtle Wilson and because she says Daisy's name strikes her. “In making a short, skillful movement, Tom Buchanan broke his nose with his open hand” (page 41). This shows his loss of control over his emotions. He showed anger towards his mistress and because she did not obey his request not to mention Daisy's name. In another instance in The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan directed Myrtle Wilson, her husband's mistress, which killed her instantly. She was hysterical when she discovered the real source of Gatsby's money and she couldn't be linked to anyone from "Dirty Money" (page 153). George Wilson, who is Myrtle Wilson's husband, is so upset by Myrtle's death that he, after being misinformed, shoots and kills Gatsby whom he believes is responsible for his wife's death, then commits suicide. “…the gardener saw Wilson's body a little further away in the grass, and the holocaust was complete” (page 170). The Great Gatsby also shows examples of restlessness, another characteristic of the “moderns.” This may be related to the Great War or the World...... middle of paper ......able to let go of the past because the past is safe. This is true for Gatsby because he cannot let go of his past because his dream of Daisy is safe there. He tries very hard to repeat it and even wants to try to erase the past and change it so that he ends up with Daisy in the end. “'You can't repeat the past?…'why, of course you can!' (page 116). And all he wants is for Daisy to be with him and leave Tom, but he has dirty money. “He wanted nothing less from Daisy than to go to Tom and say, ‘I never loved you’” (page 116). In conclusion, Great Gatsby is truly an amazing example of modernist literature. It shows many techniques of modernism like loss of control, corruption of the American dream, feeling of restlessness and alienation. F. Scott Fitzgerald works cited Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1999. Print.