University:
Sam Houston State University
Course:
ENGL 3334 | Literature and Film
Academic year:

2022
Views:

408

Pages:

1
Author:

Alma Stephenson

THE GREAT GATSBY Film Analysis Answer each question thoroughly and insightfully. 1. Mark a tally every time the weather is mentioned. Then, explain what the weather represents. Use details from the film to support your analysis. The weather represents the tension and conflict. The heat, like the conflict, is suffocating, miserable, and unavoidable. The tension continues to heat up throughout the scene, and it culminates in the argument at the Plaza Hotel. 2. During the Plaza Hotel scene, the director adds in some commentary about old money vs. new money. Gatsby says he’s an equal, and Tom replies that he’s not. The directors also add in some violence when Gatsby loses his temper. How does these changes impact the film? What is their effect? This commentary underscores the divide between old money and new money, and Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby’s dream for Daisy is about more than love, it is about the social status, stability, and respect that old money represents. The violence emphasizes Gatsby’s frustration with his inability to fit in with the old money crowd, and it serves as the turning point in this scene. When Daisy is reminded of Gatsby's differences and witnesses the violence, she retreats and becomes timid, asking to leave. 3. As Myrtle is hit by the car, the eyes of T.J. Eckleberg are shown. Why do you think the director chose to do this? What is the effect of this choice? This choice develops the symbolism of the eyes of T.J. Eckleberg and highlights the sin and recklessness of this society. Wilson refers to the billboard eyes as the eyes of God, but in reality, these are the eyes of someone who, like the rest of the society, forgot about this dumping ground. Still, the eyes could be a reminder that there are consequences for careless, sinful behavior.