Social reader-response theory is typically associated with the work of Stanley Fish, who argues that “what we take to be our individual subjective responses to literature are really products of the interpretative community to which we belong” (Tyson, 176). Which, in other words, means that the way we interpret what we read is formatted by the community we associate ourselves with or belong to. Therefore, if we were to apply this theory to an “interpretative community” (Tyson, 176) we can predict its potential outcome.
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, is a book that primarily follows the mystery, that is Jay Gatsby, through the eyes and narration of Nick Carraway. The book is filled with a variety of themes, one of which being the patriotic American dream. The American dream, according to Oxford Dictionaries, is “The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” therefore one “interpretative community” could be those who share this belief as well as a strong sense patriotism.
The narrator, Nick Carraway almost gifts us the opportunity to digest the text in multiples ways as he is often conflicting in his analysis “Gatsby, the man... who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn” (p.g 2) but then throws us a curveball when he says “something gorgeous about him” (p.g 2). Therefore this allows the reader, even without the social reader response theory, to pick a side amongst the apparent confusion.
However, as we read through the plot, we learn that Gatsby has virtually achieved the American dream. Page five of the book states Gatsby’s residence was “a colossal affair...swimming pool, and more than 40 acres of lawn and garden. It was Gatsby’s mansion” (p.g 5) Therefore this shows the community that he has achieved the American dream already, which would allow them to accept Gatsby favourably in their respective reader response.
Another factor of the American dream is the ultimate “pursuit of Happiness” (Eliassen). The main quest in this book is Gatsby pursuit of Daisy, who he had fallen in love with before World War One, yet she “didn't lay eyes on him again for over four years...In June she married Tom Bunchanan” (p.g 75). This leads Gatsby to extensive measure throughout the plot, such as his extravagant parties, in order to win her over. The interpretative community in question would respect and admire Gatsby’s pursuit as he is sharing their traits of loyalty, determination and hard work .
Furthermore, the fact that Gatsby sacrificed his commitment to Daisy in order to serve “in the American army during the war” (p.g 44), in a war that wasn't directly affecting the security of America, is another way in which this community will admire Gatsby. To add to this, Gatsby was “promoted to to be a Major, and every Allied government gave… a declaration” (p.g 66) which not only shows patriotism but also a strong sense of self sacrifice for his country.
The theme of Gatsby as a patriotic American is strong throughout, early on in the book, when Carraway first spots Gatsby next door he describes him as “regarding the silver pepper of the stars” (p.g 20), our interpretative community could well translate this as Gatsby admiring America as the “stars” could resemble those of the American flag and therefore contributing to their confirmation of their positive opinion of him.
Another element associated with American patriotism is the colour blue, which is used for the American flag, as well as America’s most prestigious military declaration, the Medal of Honour, which has a blue ribbon to hold the medal. This colour is seen to be paired with Gatsby as seen in one of the first party scenes that Narraway describes “There was music from my neighbours...blue garden” (p.g 39). Therefore, the interpretative community would make this association with Gatsby and the colour blue because of the set responses in that community.
To conclude the interpretative communities, according to Fish, will make connections that others may not at first perceive. Those who share and posses the ideals of the patriotic American dream are likely to connect with Gatsby in a way others may not, like sacrifice of Daisy for the greater good of his country.
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