The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted "gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession," it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.
To gain a fuller appreciation of the novel (and for extra credit on your essay), read this document to learn more about the historical context of the text and its author.