‘The Great Gatsby’ Notes on Chapter One

Purpose By reading these slides and adding to your notes, you will develop a better understanding of: Narration Characterisation Setting Theme

Chapter One Summary The narrator, Nick Carraway, establishes his reasons for writing and introduces a number of important characters. We are told that Nick has returned from the East (where the story is set) to properly process the events which transpired. Nick introduces Gatsby and admits to mixed feelings. He disapproves of Gatsby’s life choices but admires his positivity and idealism. The Buchanans (Tom and Daisy) and their friend Jordan Baker are introduced. They belong to the American upper class of inherited wealth.

Summary Continued Tom craves a return of the excitement of his youth. He is having an affair which is common knowledge. Daisy knows of this affair but stays with Tom. She expresses her wish that she were ignorant of his infidelity. Her marriage is clearly one of convenience. Tom, Daisy and Jordan all appear to lead aimless lives.

Characterisation- Nick Middle-class. Wealthy origins. His family own a wholesale hardware business. Has returned from fighting in the First World War. Provoked disapproval from his family by moving east to enter the bonds business (a rejection of his origins). Cynical. Does not share information about his life between 1918 and 1922. Suggests that he has moved east partly to avoid marrying his partner.

Characterisation- Nick Claims the qualities of an ideal narrator: 1- Regards himself as non-judgemental (‘inclined to reserve all judgements’). 2- Presents himself as a tolerant and open-minded listener. States that others trust him and willingly shares their deepest confidences and secrets (“I was privy to the secret grief”, “Most of the confidences”, “intimate revelation”).

Characterisation- Nick These claims are open to scrutiny as Nick appears to contradict these almost immediately: Admits that he ‘came to the conclusion that it (tolerance) has a limit. This suggests that the events he will revisit have stretched his tolerance beyond its point of endurance. He displays intolerance and a tendency to judge others. For example, he confesses that he ‘feigned sleep’ when uninterested in the confidences of others; views Gatsby’s life with ‘unaffected scorn’ and is ‘disgusted’ by Tom and Daisy’s marriage.

Characterisation- Nick Nick’s judgement of Daisy is flawed and this is again indicative of limitations as narrator. He believes her to have ‘everything’ and records ‘the absence of all desire’ in her eyes. This impression is almost immediately disproved by the revelation of the true circumstances of Daisy’s marriage. She confides in her relative by saying that she has had ‘a very bad time.’

Characterisation- Tom First encountered through the (biased) gaze of the narrator. His physical appearance is described in a succession of unflattering phrases which frame him as a cruel and sardonic alpha-male (‘hard mouth,’ ‘arrogant eyes,’ ‘cruel body’. Knew Nick at college. Is said to have provoked the ire of many of his peers. Has inherited a vast fortune and belongs to the established upper class. Is ill-mannered and interrupts others in order to make points forcefully.

Characterisation- Tom Some of Tom’s myriad character flaws come to the fore in this chapter. They include: 1- He is profligate with his money (‘even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach’; ‘…he’d brought down a whole string of polo ponies from Lake Forest.’ 2- He is aggressive (he has bruised Daisy’s knuckles). 3- He is racist. His favourite book is a racist tract called ‘The Rise of Coloured Empires’ (‘It is up to us. Who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things.’)

Characterisation- Tom 4- He lacks intelligence and struggle to relate the ideas contained in his chosen reading (which he has read uncritically) (‘There was something pathetic in his concentration.) 5- He is openly cheating on Daisy without fear of recrimination (‘I though everybody knew… Tom’s got some woman in New York).

Characterisation- Daisy Is married to Tom and is Nick’s second cousin once removed. Her name brings to mind a delicate white flower. This impression is extended by her attire as she is dressed in white. White has connotations of purity and innocence. This impression is furthered by Nick’s observation that she and Jordan ‘were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.’ The above quotation also suggests that the innocence and purity has reached the divine level of angels.

Characterisation- Daisy Like the flower after which she is named, Daisy attracts natural light: ‘the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face.’ This perhaps contributes to the natural radiance suggested by Nick’s descriptions: ‘Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth…’ The repetition of the word ‘bright’ is significant in the drawing of Daisy’s character as it suggests that she is a warm and physically appealing character. It may also suggest an ethereal glow such as that conferred by the halo of an angel.

Characterisation- Daisy The suggested affinity with the natural world is not reflected in reality as her life is conducted in a manufactured environment divorced from the natural world (Possible suggestion that her social standing/ the American class system forces individuals to act in ways opposed to their nature). The theme of appearance versus reality is introduced in the contrast between Daisy’s outward happiness and her inner turmoil. She is deeply discontented despite her material wealth and tells Nick: “Well, I’ve had a very bad time, Nick, and I’m pretty cynical about everything”

Characterisation- Daisy KEY QUOTE “I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” Daisy is intelligent enough to recognise the shallowness and artificiality of the life she leads. As a woman, she is subservient to her aggressive husband who is able to cheat on her without losing social standing. She does not wish for her daughter to oppose this as this would risk her place amongst the social elite. Instead, she desires that her daughter is both attractive and unintelligent. It is apparent that she feels that a woman is happiest when reduced to being an object- a mere ornament to decorate the arm of a desirable husband.

Characterisation- Jordan Professional golfer. Shares Daisy’s angelic physical appearance- alluring. Lacks vitality and energy. As such, she is a vehicle through which Fitzgerald exposes the shallowness of the upper classes. First described as being ‘completely motionless’ “I’ve been lying on that sofa for as long as I can remember” Her life seems purposeless. Emblematic of the directionless existence Fitzgerald aims to critique.

Characterisation- Jordan When Jordan finally does show some enthusiasm, the negative impression already created is reinforced. She stops Nick from speaking in an attempt to hear an argument between Tom and Daisy and seemingly relishes telling the narrator about Tom’s affair. A further suggestion of general unpleasantness is created when Nick writes: ‘I had heard some story of her too, a critical unpleasant story, but what it was I had forgotten long ago.’

Setting- East Egg versus West Egg One way in which Nick hooks the reader is by suggesting that the setting has in some way contributed to the disillusionment which prompted his return home. The intrigue is created in a number of hints and in the dialogue: ‘one of the strangest communities in North America’ ‘bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them.’ ‘ “You live in West Egg” she remarked contemptuously’ (Jordan) This immediately suggests that the collision between the new world of Gatsby will sharply collide with the traditional Old World society of the Buchanans. This tension will be at the hear of an examination of social class in America.

Setting- East Egg The mansions of East Egg are tasteful, elegant and spacious. They seem to attract natural light (a glow surrounds them). Conservative and aristocratic. Home to those of the established upper classes who have inherited their vast fortunes. Part of the old (European) world of clear social boundaries and elite social standing for those who have been born into wealth. Appearance versus reality- Palatial mansions a thin mask disguising unattractive realities. Interior s are home to the mundane existence and fractured relationships of their discontented residents.

Setting- West Egg Home to the nouveau riche who have made their own fortunes rather than inheriting money. Most of the residents don’t have aristocratic breeding or wealthy family connections – Nick is an exception. Characterised by extravagant displays of wealth that are perceived to be in poor taste – e.g. Gatsby’s mansion.