Multimodal Representations of the American Dream Theme: A Comparative Analysis of The Great Gatsby in Film and Novel

This research analyzes the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby and its written text. It aims to examine the film adaptation through the perspective of multimodal analysis to determine how it expands or contracts the viewersꞌ comprehension of the complex themes and characters from the source material. Another goal is to determine the effect of the use of multimodal elements in the film on viewersꞌ engagement compared to the capacity of text to achieve the same function. According to this research hypothesis, the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby relies heavily on multimodal modes of communication to convey themes, character development, and emotions, influencing its viewers more than the textual descriptions do. Bateman and Schmidt's (2011) model, which includes paradigmatic and syntagmatic analysis, underpins the evaluation of the film. A thematic sample was selected for the multimodality analysis to compare the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald to the film version directed by Baz Luhrmann in 2013, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. This research finds that the film adaptation presents a distinct interpretation of the American Dream compared to that of the novel. Fitzgerald's work conveys ideas through introspective narration and lush, descriptive language, allowing for a more nuanced and personal understanding of the American Dream.