The genre of the Great GatsbyIf you want to find out to which literary corner F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, the "Great Gatsby" belongs, you have to do a Let's consider two main genres of writing by novels, the so-called "novel of manners" on the one hand and the novel of manners on the other. The novel of manners offers, using in most cases a rather satirical tone, a sharp representation of real life as it really is and also of the behaviors and social attitudes that are closely related to it. This type of novel focuses on people of a certain class, the time and place are clearly defined. The individual attitudes of these people, their inner desires, come into conflict with more conventional values, which are defined by the society in which they live. The result is that the protagonist has the problem of reconciling himself and his desires with the rules (customs) of society, which he himself, as part of this society, has contributed to establishing, involuntarily. Examples of this special type of novel are the creations of authors such as Henry Fielding and Jane Austen. On the other hand there is romanticism, which does not aim at a detailed description of life, but wants to show it as it is seen with fantasy. Romance focuses on the internal aspects of human nature, it does not deal with ordinary events. It is difficult to decide which literary genre the "Great Gatsby" belongs to. It is possible to read it as a novel of manners because it presents the life and atmosphere of the roaring twenties in America, the jazz age, marked by prohibition, organized crime, the new woman as well as the rich bourgeoisie and their carelessness. in most businesses. Fitzgerald also uses a satirical and comedic tone most of the time. But the book could also be read as a novel. This seems to be even more appropriate because the book is concerned with the depiction of a man's idealism in all its glory but also in all its unreality and unworldliness. Gatsby is presented as a mysterious figure, which fits well with the fantasy and magic of his naive dream. He is Prince Charming, the valiant knight, who tries to dress his princess in white, is a perfect example of a sad and tragic fairy tale. While writing "The Great Gatsby", Fitzgerald was influenced by many other books, such as "The Decline of the West" by Oswald Spengler, published in 1918-1922, which describes Western civilization as being in a state of decadence.