Major Works Data Sheet AP Language and Composition Title of Work: The Great Gatsby Characteristics of the genre Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald Modernist literature is best characterized as a realistic reflection of society that many times sheds light onto corruption in government or problems of the materialistic world. It often times deals with loss and despair, violence and alienation, change, sense of place and/or color, or decadence and decay. Date of Publication: 1925 Genre: Modernist novel Historical Information about the period of publication: Biographical information about the author Fitzgerald's era was dubbed "The Jazz Age" The Great Gatsby is based on Fitzgerald's own comparisons between his lavish 1920s lifestyle and the character's of the book. The Harlem Renaissance brings strongly dance-able music: Jazz. Prohibition limits the sale of alcohol. Women are granted the right to vote. Talking movies are invented. Flapper dresses, short skirts, and more liberal fashions arise. Major magazines like Time and Reader's Digest founded. A woman swims the English channel. Baseball becomes popular with rising stars like Babe Ruth. First Academy awards are hosted. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born Sep 24, 1896. He was named after his ancestor Francis Scott Key, who wrote the famous composition "The Star Spangled Banner" Although Fitzgerald was a smart child, he did badly in school and was sent to a New Jersey boarding school where he maintained his poor academic record. Nevertheless, he went to Princeton in 1913 where his academics and lack of motivation later lead him to enroll in the army for WWI. During one of his stations in Alabama, he fell in love with Zelda Sayre. Seventeen year old Sayre had an overwhelming desire for wealth, fun and leisure and correspondingly delayed their wedding until Fitzgerald heightened his economic accomplishments. After proving himself with the enormous success of his publication This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald and Sayre got married in New York. Plot summary: Chapter 1- Nick Carraway moved to the West Egg district of Long Island from Minnesota in the summer of 1922 to work in the bond business. Nick lives next door to a mysterious man names Jay Gatsby who throws exciting parties that everyone seems to know about. Nick graduated from Yale. One night he drives to East Egg to have dinner with his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom. While he is there he also meets a golfer names Jordan Baker. In this chapter we find out that Tom has a different lover in New York. Chapter 2- On day Tom and Nick are going into the city but Tom makes them stop in a gray valley where New York’s ashes are dropped. There are the unblinking eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. This is where Toms lover Myrtle lives. Tom takes them to a party in New York and Nick claims that this was only the second time that he has ever been drunk. Also, Tom hits Myrtle in the face because she kept saying Daisy’s name and they were really drunk. Chapter 3- Gatsby sends Nick an invitation to his party and this is the first time Nick really seeks Gatsby. Nobody knows where Gatsby’s money comes from but they don’t ask. They know he is an Oxford man but that is about it. Nick also talks to Jordan in this chapter. Chapter 4- Nick goes out to lunch with Gastby and is introduced to Meyer Wolfsheim. This is when Nick begins to realize that Gatsby’s wealth may be against the law. On the way to lunch Gatsby gets pulled by a cop but the cop apologizes after Gatsby shows him a mysterious white card. Later Jordan tells Nick that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and wants Nick to arrange a reunion for Gatsby and Daisy at Nick’s house. They used to be in love five years ago but when Gatsby went to war Daisy settled with Tom. Chapter 5: Gatsby offers to take Nick to Coney Island, invites him over for a swim, and offers to have somebody cut his grass with hopes that Nick will agree to have Daisy and Gatsby over to his house for tea. On the day of the meeting, it is raining outside and at first the reunion between Gatsby and Daisy is very awkward, but Nick soon returns to find the two having a wonderful time. Chapter 6: Nick informs us Gatsby’s history, and we learn that Gatsby was born as James Gatz in North Dakota and attended St. Olaf’s College in Minnesota before dropping out after two weeks due to his dislike of the janitorial work that he was forced to do to pay his tuition. James Gatz became Jay Gatsby when Dan Cody gave him the name and Gatsby served as Cody’s personal assistant onboard Cody’s yacht. While serving at Cody’s personal assistant, Gatsby persuaded himself not to become a heavy drinker of alcohol and fell in love with wealth and luxury. One night, Daisy and Tom attend one of Gatsby’s parties, and Gatsby is very upset because he knows that Daisy did not have a good time. Gatsby thinks about the life that he and Daisy had before he left for the war. Chapter 7: At Tom and Daisy’s house, Nick, Gatsby, and Jordan gather for lunch. Gatsby and Daisy cannot seem to hide their love for each other, and Tom becomes very aware of their feelings for each other. They all decide to go to New York together, and Daisy and Gatsby ride in Tom’s car while Nick, Jordan, and Tom ride in Gatsby’s car. Tom accuses Gatsby of lying about Oxford and being a bootlegger. On their way back to their home, Nick, Tom, and Jordan discover that someone had been hit and killed by a car; that someone is Myrtle. Tom assumes that Gatsby was driving the car, but Daisy was driving. Chapter 8: Nick goes over to Gatsby’s mansion where he learns that Gatsby stayed at Daisy’s until 4 o’clock in the morning and that nothing happened. Nick tells Gatsby to forget about Daisy and to consider leaving Long Island. Gatsby’s gardener asks to drain the pool, but Gatsby denies his request saying that he has never been in his pool and would like to do so. Nick tries to work, but finds himself constantly distracted. Wilson stays up all night talking about Myrtle and looks for Tom because he knows that Tom is the owner of the car that killed Myrtle. Wilson goes to Gatsby’s house and finds Gatsby floating in the pool. He shoots Gatsby, killing him, and then kills himself. Nick then returns home from work and finds Gatsby floating dead in his pool. Chapter 9: Nick describes the scene around Gatsby’s mansion immediately after he died as very busy with lots and reporters and journalists. Even after Gatsby had died, the rumors about Gatsby continued to spread. Despite Nick’s original plan to hold a large funeral for Gatsby, only a few people showed up for his funeral - Nick, Owl Eyes, some servants, and Gatsby’s father, Henry C. Gatz. Nick decided to move back to the Midwest and end his relationship with Jordan. Describe the author’s style: Give an example that demonstrates this style, and explain how it does so: Fitzgerald maintains a simple tone throughout the novel. Nick reflecting on everything he sees with the use of flashbacks. These flashbacks are key in describing the plot. Fitzgerald also uses complexity of details through imagery. Nick also uses imagery when he describes certain situations throughout the novel. "And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night. And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night." Memorable Quotations Quotation (and speaker) “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” - Nick Significance: This quote shows that no matter what happens, we have to get through it. It refers to Myrtle and Gatsby’s and it shows that no matter how hard it gets, we will push on even if forces are going against us. 2. “It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Gatsby’s body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete.”- Nick This quote is important because it shows how devastating Myrtle, Wilson and Gatsby’s deaths were to everyone around them. People’s lives changed because of these events. 3. “You can’t repeat the past.” “You can’t repeat the past?”... “Why of course you can!” -(Nick, Gatsby) This quote is significant because it shows that Gatsby wants to live in the past. He believes he can recreate it and live it once more. Also it shows that he is obsessed with Daisy and he will do anything to recreate what they had when they were together. 4. “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.”- Gatsby This shows how Gatsby thought of Daisy. He was obsessed with here and shows it in the quote to her. He shows her that he thinks of her and he watches over her. 5. “They’re a rotten crowd. You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” –Nick (154) This quote really shows how Nick views the American upper-class. He admires Gatsby's love and determination to obtain Daisy. Nick admires this because it goes against how shallow the wealthy, such as Tom and Daisy, are. He likes how Gatsby is more interested in love than throwing parties and money. This quote is important because it introduces the narrator, Nick, and it automatically presents a theme of wealth and the American dream. 1. 6. “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice…’whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” 7. “…I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little This quote provides valuable insight on Daisy, and it reveals that Daisy wishes she didn’t know a lot of the things going on in the world. It also shows how superficial she is by hoping fool…and I know. I‘ve been everywhere and seen everything and done everything.” (17) 8. “…he was content to be alone- he stretched out his arms toward the dark water and…I could’ve sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light…” (21) her daughter is beautiful, and it also shows that intelligence is not valued in their society. This quote is when Gatsby is first introduced, after being elusive throughout the beginning of the book. He is depicted as reaching out to the green light, which is at the end of Daisy’s dock. It symbolizes how much Gatsby longs for Daisy and how high his hopes are for their future together. 9. “Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” (59) This quote shows how deceitful and untrustworthy and un-honest everyone in the novel is. By saying this, it reveals how honesty and truth isn’t really valued in society. 10. “He wants to know if you’ll invite Daisy to your house some afternoon and then let him come over.” (78) Jordan says this to Nick, after telling him that Gatsby had bought his house just to be close to Daisy. This shows how nervous he is about seeing her and how much he likes Daisy. It also shows how inconsiderate the wealthy could be; Gatsby imposed upon Nick just so he could see Daisy when he “comes over.” Character’s name: Role (what role does this person have in the story?) Significance (why is this character significant to the story?) he revives the love that his cousin Daisy and Gatsby have for each other Character traits (what sort of person is this?) 1. Nick Carraway narrator; his thoughts and perceptions shape and color the story 2. Daisy Buchanan Tom Buchanan’s wife, Nick Carraway’s cousin, Jay Gatsby’s lover she is Gatsby’s dream and his main motivation to achieve such great wealth through criminal activity Materialistic, aloof 3. Jordan Baker she and Nick have an affair she is known for her appearance and is static throughout the novel self-centered, arrogant, dishonest, and a golfer 4. George Wilson Myrtle Wilson’s husband and the owner of the run-down auto shop he’s faithful to his wife; kills Gatsby caring, hard-working, vengeful 5. Klipspringer he lives at Gatsby’s mansion and takes complete advantage of his wealth Klipspringer doesn’t care about Gatsby even after his death heartless, shallow, self-centered 6. Jay Gatsby protagonist he is in love with daisy, which is why he devoted his life to being wealthy. 7. Tom Buchanan Daisy’s husband 8. Myrtle Wilson Tom's mistress 9. Owl eyes drunk with insight he cheats on daisy, but when finding out she was committing infidelity he has no reason to continue on an affair with another woman. she is married to the man who fixes toms car, but while fixing his car she is cheating on her husband with this man; only to improve her way of life nick meets him in the library at one of Gatsby's parties. mysterious, fantastically wealthy young man. Every Saturday, his garish Gothic mansion in West Egg serves as the site of extravagant parties. A brutal, hulking man, very wealthy, a hypocrite 10. Meyer Wolfsheim friend of Gatsby, major figure in organized crime Helped Gatsby to attain his wealth truthful, open-minded, tolerant, a good listener An earthy, vital, and voluptuous woman, Myrtle is desperate to improve her life. eccentric, bespectacled man Corrupt, shady Describe the setting(s) and the mood the setting(s) create: What is the significance of the opening scene? The setting of The Great Gatsby was the summer of 1922 in Long Island and New York City. Long Island is broken down into West Egg and East Egg and the plot shifts mainly between those two points. The two were separated by old money and new money and in between was the valley of ash which was colorless and dull. Tom and Daisy's house The garage owned by Wilson where Myrtle lived in the valley of ashes Gatsby's house Nick's house The hotel room The apartment of Myrtle and Tom The significance of the opening scene is the introduction of the narrator Nick Caraway. He moves to an unfamiliar place surrounded by no one he knows and he becomes intrigued with the man that lives across the street from him who he hears but rarely sees. Also, when Nick goes to the Buchanan’s and one side of societies three faces is revealed. Major symbols, motifs, images: What is the significance of the ending/closing scene? The color green symbolizes envy. Gatsby often stares into a green light across the lake which symbolizes the envy he feels when he cannot have Daisy. The color green also signifies Gatsby's motivation to get Daisy back. He often stared into the green light that was telling him to go for it and pursue Daisy. The closing scene is when Nick walks by Tom and they shake hands rather nonchalantly and continue on their way and it just shows how uninvolved and how dethatched everyone is. It shows that in society it is every man for himself and the only important thing is that they always have money to cover up their mistakes. Also, it shows how Nick is basically just a bystander throughout the whole book and has no affect on anything. Colors played a major role in telling the mode of the situation and the social class of characters. Whenever there is a party among the wealthy, there are bright colors such as red, orange, or yellow. Gatsby's house is described in extravagant colors signifying his wealth. But in the Valley of the Ashes there is little to no color; everything is dark there. Myrtle and her husband live there and they are poor. The valley of the Ashes stands for the poor and despair. It is what they passed through to get to the big city. This is also where Daisy ran over Myrtle. Alcohol drove the plot as well. Everytime the characters are under the influence of alcohol the plot quickened and details became hazy. Tom always had a temper when he drank which caused him to break Myrtle's nose and confront Gatsby. The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg can be found throughout the book. The eyes are painted on an old building in the valley of the Ashes. They symbolize a higher power watching the lives of the Americans. The eyes watched Tom cheat on his wife with Myrtle. They also saw Myrtle get hit by a car that was driven by Daisy. The eyes are always watching. Themes: Compassion and Forgiveness: Gatsby is able to forgive Daisy’s marriage to another man. Daisy is willing to forgive Tom for cheating but doesn’t forgive Gatsby for deceiving her about what kind of person he is. Tom is married to Daisy and still has compassion for another woman. This theme is shown throughout the book by multiple characters expressing their love toward one another. The Pursuit of the American Dream: This is another theme expressed throughout the book. It is shown throughout the novel that the American dream can never really be fulfilled but just in very rare cases. Many of the characters are wealthy but are never truly satisfied with their lives. The novel shows how the American dream is very hard to fulfill and even impossible to accomplish sometimes. Gender Roles: Men work to earn money for the maintenance of the women in this novel. Men are for the most part dominant over women in that most of them are stronger and take advantage of women. Tom takes advantage of Daisy when cheating on her with another woman. Social Status: Societies of East and West Egg are divided by the difference between the wealthy and poorer families. Gatsby is aware of this existence of a class structure in America and tries desperately to make a fake status by even claiming to have attended Oxford. This was all for an attempt to justify his position in society. Appearance vs. Reality: Gatsby is a completely unrealistic man and he even believes at times he can change the past but realizes he can’t when seeing Daisy’s child. Most characters in this novel seemed to have a perfect outside appearance but in reality they were not put together well. This says to the audience that money doesn’t make a person happy.