Great Gatsby SeminarChapter 7

Symbolism - Colour

What colour archetypes are used in this chapter and what do they represent?

White ➢ “Daisy and Jordan lay upon an enormous couch like silver idols weighing down on their own white

dresses” (110) → innocence○ Appearance VS Reality : always wearing white gives her a naive appearance, when in reality

she is aware of her careless actions○ The color represents Old Money → they can afford to wear such a light color because they don’t

have to worry about working or soiling their clothing➢ “High in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl." (120) → description of Daisy

○ white = innocence, purity ○ gold = corruption○ On the surface she is beautiful, rich, innocent and pure but under the surface that white

innocence is mixed with the inevitable corruption that money brings (hence her name)➢ “Jordan’s fingers, powdered white over their tan” (110) → covering up her corruption

Yellow / Gold ➢ “It was a yellow car” (133) → Gatsby's yellow car represents his corrupted pursuit of the

American Dream➢ “the golden girl" (120) → creates the desire for her/gold = new money

○ Gold is used as the color of wealth, happiness and value, Yellow in contrast, is a pseudo gold and not as desirable

➢ “ woman next to me perspired delicately for a while into her white shirtwaist” →as the sweat is soaking into the white, which will turn it a more yellow colour, it suggests that innocence will be lost

Green

➢ Gatsby's car has “green leather seats” (115) → represents his hope and promise for a relationship with Daisy, much like the green light, however this dream is shattered when his car runs Myrtle over

Pink➢ “The luminosity of his pink suit” (136) → relates to unconditional love and

understanding for Daisy / innocent love

Silver ➢ “like silver idols” (110) →Silver is a precious metal and, like gold, often symbolizes

riches and wealth. It also shows the elegance and gracefulness of Daisy and Jordan

Red

➢ "Gatsby stood in the centre of the crimson carpet." (116) → unfulfilled promise,

longing for Daisy / lust

Object Symbolism ➢ What does T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes symbolise?

➢ How do Tom’s and Gatsby’s automobiles relate to the unfolding of events throughout this chapter?

➢ What other objects are used in this chapter?

Doctor T. J. Eckleburg➢ “Then Doctors T.J. Eckleburg’s faded eyes came into sight down the road” (117)

○ The fading of the eyes portray a message as if he is totally tired of sadly looking down at the

wasteland and corruption below

○ He seems ashamed of mankind’s extravagance that cause the ashheaps and what the

American Dream has corrupted people to do

➢ "over the ashheaps the giant eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg kept their vigil” (118) → represent

God staring down upon and judging American society

○ All seeing like God

○ creates an unsettling feeling for those who witness it

○ Tom is quickly trying to leave the Valley of Ashes because he knows his mistress and wife are close

Automobiles➢ Typically cars in this era are standard black, so with Tom and Gatsby’s coloured cars it shows their

wealth and status

➢ Gatsby's car is large and contains all the latest gadgets → Tom refers to it as a "circus wagon" (108)○ The yellow symbolizes money and corruption○ His car stresses the thought that he is consumed with the obsession of displaying his material

wealth to get the love of Daisy

➢ Tom drives a blue “coupe” (134) , a high-end, traditional, elegant auto○ “The coupe flashed by us with a flurry of dust” (118)○ automobiles symbolize recklessness as evidenced by Gatsby's recklessness with money and the

moral recklessness of Daisy as she barrels into Myrtle Wilson, killing her

➢ “The God damned coward!’ he whimpered. ‘He didn’t even stop his car” (135) ○ American Dream has completely been corrupted, trying to hold on to the dream,

Gatsby/Daisy didn’t stop the car even after killing Myrtle

How does Fitzgerald use light imagery in this chapter?

Light➢ “It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed

to go on one Saturday night." (108)

○ Light represents hopes and dreams

○ All of Gatsby's parties are held at night and lit with artificial light which represents

the illusion of Gatsby's parties

○ Now that he has Daisy, Gatsby no longer needs the illusions of the parties to lure

her in, as he can embrace reality

○ Appearance VS Reality

Place Symbolism Throughout chapter 7, how does the different locations play an important role in plot?

West Egg VS East Egg➢ The opposition of the houses shows the rivalry between Gatsby and Tom

New York ➢ symbolic of immortality and carelessness

Valley of Ashes➢ “So we drove on towards death through the cooling twilight” (129) → death, no life in

this wasteland

Character Symbolism What is meant when Nick says,

“‘I just remembered that today’s my birthday.’ I was thirty. Before me stretched

the portentous, menacing road of a new decade.” (129)

Nick’s 30th Birthday

➢ The major significance is that Nick is so involved in the lives of the people around him that he does not even recognize such a major milestone in his own life

➢ Symbolizes a new era is introduced in his life○ New era = aftermath of events that are taking place

Character Symbolism What other characters represent an important message in this chapter?

Myrtle ➢ “Auto hit her. Ins’antly killed” (133) → Nearly every character's "Dream" dies with Myrtle's death.

○ Gatsby and Daisy’s desire is to be together○ Wilson's dream to leave the valley of ashes○ Tom and his mistress

Daisy ➢ “Her voice is full of money” → symbolizes Gatsby’s realization that she is a manifestation of her

wealth, like everything else she has.

Daisy’s and Tom’s Daughter - Pammy ➢ “Afterwards he kept looking at the child with surprise. I don’t think he had ever really believed in

its existence before” (111) → Gatsby senses that Daisy's daughter symbolizes a shared past

between Daisy and Tom that Gatsby can't touch

Weather Symbolism How is pathetic fallacy used in this chapter? Does it reflect the events that are taking place?

The Heat ● “The next day was broiling, almost the last, certainly the warmest, of the summer”

(109) → represent moods and events: the heat / tension rising

○ represents the moods shifting

● “She remembered the heat and sat down guilty” (111) → using the heat as an excuse

for her actions

● “The thing to do is to forget about the heat” (120) → Subtly telling her to forget about

Gatsby

The Character of Tom Buchanan

In Chapter 7, what does Tom find out, and what do his reactions say about his personality?

“She had told Tom she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded. His mouth opened a little, and he looked at Gatsby, and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as someone he knew a long time ago.”(113)

● The drop of his mouth demonstrates that he was surprised to hear his wife Daisy say such a thing● He does not recognize Daisy when she confesses her love, and thinks of her as someone he may

have known from the past● His reaction shows that he did not expect his wife to betray him, even though he is also having an

affair

“...As we drove away Tom was feeling the hot whips of panic. His wife and mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his control.” (119)

● This quote shows that Tom panics when he is not in control of every aspect of his life● He is being greedy by expecting to have a stable relationship with his wife while having an affair

with Mrs. Wilson● When he realizes that they have other desires, he grows anxious and makes irrational decisions

(stepping hard on the accelerator)

“Self control! I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well if that’s the idea you can count me out…” (124)

● Although Tom is also betraying Daisy, he expects more from her and has the right to be upset.● He is appalled that Daisy would dare to tell him to exercise self control while she is having an

affair with Gatsby ● He acts as if he would never betray her like that, when in reality he is (appearance versus reality)● His actions are truly hypocritical

“You’re crazy!” he exploded. (125)● The reality of Daisy’s affair comes to life, and he begins to lose his temper● This once again demonstrates Tom’s short temper

“”Even that’s a lie,” Tom said savagely. “She didn’t know you were alive.” (126) ● Insists that Daisy never loved Gatsby at all, even though he is unaware of their entire past

situation and is basing his claims on no evidence● Speaks without thinking first (impulsive)

“There’s some bad trouble here,” said Tom excitedly. “He reached up on tiptoes and peered over a circle of heads…” (131)

● This quote shows that Tom is careless and nosy● In contrast to when most people see an accident and feel worry and sympathy, Tom grows

excited and curious looking for something to entertain him

Why does Tom say “You two start on home Daisy, in Mr. Gatsby’s car. Go on. He won’t

annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over.”

(128,129)

“But with every word she was drawing further and further into herself, so he gave that up, and only the dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch

what was no longer tangible, struggling unhappily, undespairingly, toward that lost voice across the room.”

(128)● Tom begins to feel his power again when Daisy confesses that she loves

him and that her intentions are gone, so he insists that Daisy goes back to Long Island with Gatsby, to prove that Gatsby can not hurt him

● Tom is happy realizing that he got the best of Gatsby● Only cares about himself and the level of pride that he has● He is happy to see that Gatsby’s American Dream is now corrupted and

unattainable

What are some examples of Gatsby’s corruption in Chapter 7?

“It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night…” (108)

● Gatsby’s american dream becomes corrupt when he thinks that feels that it is growing unattainable, when Daisy is unimpressed by his parties.

● When he hears this, he decide not to have one one weekend, which is very unusual for him● Earlier in the novel, he would put on these big parties to try and impress Daisy

“...It was a yellow car.” (134)“The second my hand reached the wheel I felt the shock- it must have killed her instantly.” (137)

● When Gatsby and Daisy are driving back from New York, in the yellow car, they hit Mrs. Wilson, and she dies

● The yellow car symbolizes corruption, which is why that colour was chosen for the car in this part of the book

● Daisy hitting Mrs. Wilson, in the yellow car, represents Gatsby’s American Dream and how it is getting to be too corrupted, which makes it unattainable

“I want to wait here till Daisy goes to bed.” (138)“So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight- watching over nothing.” (139)

● This part of Chapter 7 is very similar to Chapter 1 when he stretches in arms in hope toward the green light across the water, being optimistic about his future and hoping for his American Dream to eventually become complete with Daisy

● Now, he has made it past the green light, onto Daisy’s lawn, but his American Dream is forever gone and unattainable

If you could describe Gatsby in 3 words, what would they be?

conceited determined dramaticcaring loyal smart materialistic gentleman romantic hypocritical uneducated fake etc… What are some examples from the text that prove this?

Jay Gatsby “I wanted somebody who wouldn’t gossip. Daisy comes over quite often- in the afternoons.” (109)

● Gatsby fired all of his old servants to prevent gossip getting spread around, and hired shady individuals instead

● This shows that Gatsby does not want rumours or gossip, unlike Tom, who lives off of it

“I only stayed five months. That’s why I can’t really call myself an Oxford man.” (123)

● Tom mentions how he knows that Gatsby is an Oxford man, but Gatsby makes it clear that he can not truly call himself one, because he was only there for a short period of time

● If someone was known for going to a very nice, academic school, most people would go along with it since it gives you a label of being smart, important, and rich

● Instead, Gatsby made the truth clear, and did not care about the fame he would get for being ‘an Oxford man’

“Yes”, he said after a moment, “but of course I’ll say I was.” (137)● Without a doubt, Gatsby is saying that he will take the blame for killing Myrtle● He cares about Daisy so much that he is willing to risk the safety of his own life, for her, even

when she admitted that she loved Tom aswell● Shows how he is caring and devoted to Daisy

Historical Perspective1920’s- ‘The Roaring Twenties’● The 1920’s were an age of dramatic social and political change. ● WW1 ended and Americans were eager to gain normalcy again.● It was considered a dynamic decade; characterized by prosperity, leisure,

technological advances, consumerism and major shifts toward modern values.

● Closer look at:○ Bootlegging/Organized Crime○ Discrimination○ Old vs. New Money○ The American Dream & the Corruption of the American Dream

Bootlegging/Organized CrimeBootlegging:

● The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution came into effect in 1920 which banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors, created in a period in American history known as Prohibition.

● It was created with the belief that it would help protect families, women and children from the effects of abuse of alcohol.

Organized Crime:

● Jobs were scarce and people needed to provide for their families, gangsterism was dangerous but provided an easy way to make money

● Liquor Trade was a main crime

What evidence can we gather in this chapter as proof that Gatsby was a part

of Bootlegging/Organized Crime?

Bootlegging/Organized Crime

● “Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on your finger”(pg.127)

○ Tom implies that Gatsby was involved in Organized crime○ Trying to get Daisy’s attention by exposing Gatsby in hope to win her over.

● “I found out what your ‘drug-stores’ were.’ He turned to us and spoke rapidly. He and this wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. Thats one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong” (pg.127).

○ While the dispute between Tom, Daisy and Gatsby Tom exposes Gatsby by sharing how he became wealthy by partaking in bootlegging.

Discrimination● During the 1920's, racial tensions in American society reached boiling

point. The ‘Roaring twenties’ was a decade in which the increase of discrimination was prevalent due to immigration and migration.

● Prejudice and racism reared its ugly head in many areas of society, with people showing a tolerance for racist views in the media, literature and towards organisations like the Ku Klux Klan.

● Intermarriages were not as respected in the 1920’s society as compared to today’s society.

Can you pinpoint any specific points in this chapter that display

discrimination?

Discrimination● “Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institution, and next

they’ll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and white”(pg. 124).

○ Tom displays discrimination towards intermarriage between black and white.

ClassOld Money● Families who have fortunes dating from the 19th century or before, have built up powerful and

influential social connections, and tend to hide their wealth and superiority behind.

New Money● Made their fortunes in the 1920s boom and therefore have no social connections and tend to

overcompensate for this lack with lavish displays of wealth.

What are some examples of New vs. Old money in this chapter?

Old Money vs. New Money

● “It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night”(p.108).

○ Gatsby no longer needs to attract Daisy, therefore he no longer feels the need to throw his ‘new money’ parties.

● “I'm right across from you”(p.112).○ This is when Gatsby is touring Tom's house and Gatsby says he lives just across the sound

from Tom's house.○ The opposition of the houses shows the rivalry between Old vs New money.

● “Well, you take my coupe and let me drive your car to town”(p.115).○ The car swap is a crucial plot point and comes about through Tom and Gatsby’s conflict;

old money vs. new money.

The American Dream● The American Dream relates to the desire for spiritual and material

improvement● Includes a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for

prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers.

In this chapter, how is Gatsby’s American Dream corrupted?

Corruption of the American Dream

● “It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at the highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night” (p.108)

○ Gatsby finds out that Daisy is not impressed with Gatsby’s extravagant parties so he chooses not to have one○ Gatsby is known for his parties, not having one is very unusual.

● “I know i’m not very popular. I dont give big parties. I suppose you’ve got to make your house a pigsty in order to have any friends-in the modern world”(p.124)

○ Jordan implying to Gatsby that he doesn't have many friends because he doesn't think it proper to buy friendships by throwing parties.

● “But with every word she was drawing further and further into herself, so he gave that up, and the only dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch what was no longer tangible, struggling unhappily, undespairingly, toward that lost voice across the room”(p128).

○ This is a representation of how Gatsby begins to let go of his American Dream○ Without Daisy he thinks he won't live a happy life, and his dreams are no longer achievable

● “There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together”(p.138).

○ Daisy and Tom were not happy or unhappy and it was clear that Gatsby was losing what he dreamt of most- Daisy.

○ Displays the corruption of Gatsby’s American Dream to live a wealthy life with a perfect woman.

● “So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight-watching over nothing”(p.139).○ Gatsby was left staring into nothing, there was no ‘green light’ to bring hope instead he watched his

American Dream start to fade away.

Characterization of Daisy

In this chapter how is Daisy’s character being corrupted?

Daisy Buchanan“ ‘But it’s so hot’, insisted Daisy on the verge of tears ‘and everything’s so confused. Let’s all go to town!’ ” (113)“Her voice struggled on through the heat, beating against it, moulding its senselessness into forms.” (113)“ ‘Who wants to go to town?’ demanded Daisy insistently.” (113)

● Daisy uses the heat as an excuse to avoid what she needs to confront her husband Tom about● She states that ‘everything’s so confused’ her character is corrupting, she is unable to

communicate with Tom of her affairs and is confused on who she loves● Daisy insists on going to town to cover for her corrupting self

“ ‘Open another window, ’ commanded Daisy, without turning around. ‘The thing to do is to forget about the heat’ said Tom impatiently. ‘You make it ten times worse by crabbing about it’ ”(120)

Daisy Buchanan“ ‘Open the whisky, Tom, ’ she ordered, ‘and I’ll make you a mint julep. Then you won’t seem so stupid to yourself… Look at the mint!” (123)“ ‘I’ve got something to tell you, old sport- ’ began Gatsby. But Daisy guessed at his intention.‘Please don’t!’ she interrupted helplessly. ‘Please let’s all go home. Why don’t we all go home?’ ” (124)“ ‘Please, Tom! I can’t stand this anymore.’ ” (128)

● Daisy is disturbed by the heat which is revealed when she asks for another window to be opened although all are open she is corrupted by the thoughts of what needs to be revealed to Tom and distracts herself with the heat

● Daisy interrupts Gatsby as he attempts to tell Tom that Daisy is in love with him which reveals the corruption

Characterization of Nick

What evidence through this chaptersupports that Nick is a judgemental

and corrupting character?

Nick's corrupting character“ ‘No … I just remembered that today’s my birthday.’ I was thirty.” (129)“Thirty- the promise of a decade of loneliness, a thinning list of single men to know, a thinning brief-case of enthusiasm, thinning hair.” (129)

● Nick becomes so caught up in the lives of others (Gatsby, Daisy and Tom) that he forgets his own birthday

● While Nick reflects on his new age he comes to a realization that he is lonely although Gatsby portrays in wanting to be his friend

Nick’s judgemental character “Generally he was one of these worn-out men: when he wasn’t working, he sat on a chair in the doorway and stared at the people and the cars that passed along the road. When anyone spoke to him he invariably laughed in an agreeable colourless way. He was his wife’s man and not his own” (130)

● Nick is judging George Wilson by his appearance and also stated that ‘he was his wife’s man’ which reveals the knowledge of his wife’s affair with Tom

“He spoke as if Daisy’s reaction was the only thing that mattered”(136)“I disliked him so much by this time that i didn’t find it necessary to tell him he was wrong” (136)

● These pieces of evidence proves that Nick is growing a hatred towards Gatsby which is revealing him as judgemental