A Foucauldian Reading of Power Relations and Discourse in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Document Type : Article

Author

Department of English, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this research paper is to study the notion of power and other related concepts devised by Foucault in the novel of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Foucault's theory of power suggests that power is omnipresent, that is, power can be found in all social interactions. In fact, that power is interwoven in all social relations. Moreover, a discourse is made by the government in which identity of characters does not remain fixed and autonomous; truth, as a metaphysical concept, which is supposed to exist as a definite reality becomes a mere game by power relations. The most important aspect that can be seen in this novel is the role of discourse and power in society. Since the novel is set in Jazz age and it coincides with rise of new ideology called American dream, it could be concluded that the characters are influenced by the discourse in which they are living. In fact, the ideology of American dream controls their lifestyle – particularly, the main character – Jay – who has changed himself from a proletarian into a member of bourgeoisie society. Therefore, the identity of the characters is not a fixed concept since how they have gone through process of changing influenced by power relationship which can be seen within them. Moreover, the concept of truth is distorted and unstable in this novel.

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References

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JELT Journal | Farhangian University
Volume 2, Issue 2 - Serial Number 1024202
A Tribute to Ghaffar Tajalli, an Iranian Famous English professor and author.
September 2023
Pages 78-92

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