The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Question #1Question #1

How does Nick describe himself at the How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?beginning of the book?

He says he is one of the few honest people He says he is one of the few honest people around – judicious – not judgmental – around – judicious – not judgmental – tolerant– both an insider and an outsidertolerant– both an insider and an outsider

Question #2Question #2

Who is Jordan Baker?Who is Jordan Baker? She is a friend of Daisy’s.She is a friend of Daisy’s. What does Nick find appealing about her?What does Nick find appealing about her? She is aloof and self-sufficient.She is aloof and self-sufficient.

Question #3Question #3

Describe the ambiguity in Nick’s initial Describe the ambiguity in Nick’s initial descriptions of Gatsby.descriptions of Gatsby.

Gatsby represents everything for which Nick Gatsby represents everything for which Nick had an unaffected scorn --- there was had an unaffected scorn --- there was something gorgeous about him.something gorgeous about him.

Question #4Question #4

Describe Daisy’s state of mind during the Describe Daisy’s state of mind during the dinner party?dinner party?

Daisy seems flighty and upset.Daisy seems flighty and upset. What does she say and do that helps her reveal What does she say and do that helps her reveal

her inner conflict?her inner conflict? She tells Nick that she has become cynical and She tells Nick that she has become cynical and

much too sophisticated. She implies she is much too sophisticated. She implies she is unsatisfied with her marriage.unsatisfied with her marriage.

Question #5Question #5

Nick thinks that, given the state of their Nick thinks that, given the state of their marriage, Daisy should leave Tom, but it is marriage, Daisy should leave Tom, but it is clear to him that she has no intention of doing clear to him that she has no intention of doing so. What indication is there that Tom and so. What indication is there that Tom and Daisy are closely linked despite their marital Daisy are closely linked despite their marital difficulties?difficulties?

The most significant link is Daisy’s mention of The most significant link is Daisy’s mention of “the rather distinguished society to which she “the rather distinguished society to which she and Tom belonged.”and Tom belonged.”

Point of ViewPoint of View

What does Fitzgerald achieve by using Nick’s What does Fitzgerald achieve by using Nick’s point of view to tell Gatsby’s story?point of view to tell Gatsby’s story?

Nick is not purely an observer – he Nick is not purely an observer – he participates in the action – he is not the central participates in the action – he is not the central figure. This viewpoint allows him not only to figure. This viewpoint allows him not only to tell the story but also to interpret and make tell the story but also to interpret and make comments on the characters, themes, and comments on the characters, themes, and actions.actions.

TomTom

30 years old30 years old Yale graduateYale graduate SturdySturdy Straw hairStraw hair Arrogant eyesArrogant eyes Hard mouthHard mouth Supercilious mannerSupercilious manner Muscular cruel bodyMuscular cruel body Husky voiceHusky voice

Enormously wealthy Enormously wealthy familyfamily

Owns string of polo Owns string of polo poniesponies

Played football at YalePlayed football at Yale Has a “woman in N.Y.”Has a “woman in N.Y.” Worried by a book he Worried by a book he

has readhas read

DaisyDaisy

Murmurs to make Murmurs to make people lean toward herpeople lean toward her

Low, thrilling voiceLow, thrilling voice Speech is an Speech is an

arrangement of notes arrangement of notes that will never be heard that will never be heard againagain

Sad, lovely faceSad, lovely face Bright eyesBright eyes

Bright, passionate Bright, passionate mouthmouth

Black and blue finger Black and blue finger she blames on Tomshe blames on Tom

Loses interest quicklyLoses interest quickly Impersonal eyes devoid Impersonal eyes devoid

of all desireof all desire

JordanJordan

Exhibited self-Exhibited self-sufficiencysufficiency

Slender, small-breasted Slender, small-breasted girlgirl

Erect carriage as if Erect carriage as if leaning backwardsleaning backwards

Gray, sun-strained eyesGray, sun-strained eyes Wan, charming, Wan, charming,

discontented facediscontented face

Autumn-leaf yellow Autumn-leaf yellow hairhair

Eavesdrops on Daisy Eavesdrops on Daisy and Tom’s conversationand Tom’s conversation

Golfer --- plays in Golfer --- plays in tournamentstournaments

Impersonal eyes devoid Impersonal eyes devoid of all desireof all desire

NickNick

Graduated from YaleGraduated from Yale Came from a prominent Came from a prominent

mid-western family --- mid-western family --- wholesale hardwarewholesale hardware

Served in WWIServed in WWI Rather literary in Rather literary in

collegecollege

Came East to learn the Came East to learn the bond businessbond business

Inclined to reserve Inclined to reserve judgmentjudgment

People like to confide in People like to confide in NickNick

His tolerance does have His tolerance does have a limita limit

SettingSetting

East EggEast Egg Glittered with white Glittered with white

palacespalaces

West EggWest Egg Less fashionableLess fashionable A run-down cottage like A run-down cottage like

Nick’s could be next Nick’s could be next door to a mansion like door to a mansion like Gatsby’s.Gatsby’s.

Nick’s houseNick’s house

Weather-beaten, cardboard bungalowWeather-beaten, cardboard bungalow An eyesoreAn eyesore

Buchanan’s HouseBuchanan’s House

Red and white Georgian cathedralRed and white Georgian cathedral Overlooking the bayOverlooking the bay Lawn stretched ¼ mile from the beachLawn stretched ¼ mile from the beach Sun dials, brick walks, gardensSun dials, brick walks, gardens Bright vines on the houseBright vines on the house French windows at the front reflected goldFrench windows at the front reflected gold

Gatsby’s HouseGatsby’s House

Imitation of a hotel in NormandyImitation of a hotel in Normandy Tower on one side with a thin beard of raw ivyTower on one side with a thin beard of raw ivy Marble swimming poolMarble swimming pool 40 acres of lawn and garden40 acres of lawn and garden A colossal affair by any standardA colossal affair by any standard

Nick’s ConfusionNick’s Confusion

When Nick leaves the Buchanans’ house, he is When Nick leaves the Buchanans’ house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.” Why?“confused and a little disgusted.” Why?

The obvious tension between Tom and DaisyThe obvious tension between Tom and Daisy Daisy’s bruised fingerDaisy’s bruised finger The phone callThe phone call Nick’s values are not those of Tom and Daisy. Nick’s values are not those of Tom and Daisy.

He has the grace to be offended by their He has the grace to be offended by their relationship.relationship.