The great gatsby Chapter 1

Nick carroway (narrator) He is a listener and says he is not quick to voice judgements. Highly educated and tends to be philosophical. As the narrator, he shapes and controls the reader’s attitude toward the characters and plot/events (You HAVE to remember this as you read – this is the author’s manipulation of the reader – shaping what you think.) These characteristics affect his status as narrator because he is both an observer AND a participant in the story It is Nick’s story about Gatsby ~ he can tell the story (in flashback)but can make comments about characters, actions, and themes It is also a story about how Gatsby impacted the life of a naïve young man from the Midwest (Nick)

Nick’s morals He wants Daisy to be more maternal, more like a wife and mother He notices when Daisy and Tom are a united front (like when they “stood side by side in a cheerful square of light”) He is disappointed and disgusted that Daisy will not leave Tom, even though he is cheating on her. He isn’t surprised by Tom’s infidelity, but IS surprised by the fact that Tom was depressed or influenced by a book He concludes that Tom is nibbling “at the edge of stale ideas” because his “physical egotism” is not enough anymore.

Daisy Buchanan (nick’s cousin) Ethereal, floating white dresses, relaxed bored expression Mentions her voice often – a “low thrilling voice” “there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget” “[her voice suggested] that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour.” When Tom abruptly interrupts Daisy, she tries to play it off and hides her feelings about being trapped in the marriage behind an “I don’t care” attitude Her tone is sarcastic (possibly sad?) when Daisy says Tom is “getting very profound” and, just before that, she said “That’s what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great big hulking physical specimen…”

Daisy says that she has done and seen everything and she is extremely sophisticated (anyone who has to SAY it probably is NOT actually so…) she also says she is cynical about everything After her daughter was born “Tom was God knows where” (17). “…the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (17). – Daisy cries when she finds out her daughter is a girl. Nick’s comment after this is that her statements are insincere – revealing that she is a fairly superficial person – which is proven later when she says she is going to arrange a marriage between Nick and Jordan who have just met Daisy is something of a phony, but she is genuinely disturbed about Tom’s adultery with the woman in the city Even though she makes fun of Tom’s intellectual abilities, she does share some bond with him. Nick says they have a “membership in a rather distinguished secret society” (that is, the highest class in American society: the richest of the rich in America – which is a VERY exclusive group) She and Jordan are friends from childhood – she says they shared a “white girlhood” – and Tom interrupts her again and tells Nick to “not believe everything you hear”

Tom buchanan (went to yale with nick) Tom is big and powerful (former football player, muscular, leans aggressively) = intimidating Nick’s description includes a comment about how “he was a sturdy, straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious [this means condescending] manner” with “two shining, arrogant eyes” and later Nick says his “body is capable of enormous leverage – a cruel body” This seems to say Nick is both disgusted and intimidated by Tom Tom has shown himself to be fairly limited intellectually and is extremely rich – puts on airs over Nick and makes ridiculous racist comments Tom’s comments come directly from white supremacist literature (he himself says it comes from a book) He makes it seem like an argument by shouting there theories but provides no support – he parrots information he has heard but doesn’t have the intellect to argue the points effectively

Jordan baker (professional golfer) Nick remembers hearing something critical and unpleasant about Jordan but can’t remember what it is She is a terrible eavesdropper who will listen in on personal conversation between her best friend and husband She was surprised that Nick hadn’t heard about Tom’s girlfriend and had no problem telling him

Setting: west egg The less fashionable side = nouveau riche = those who liv there have worked for their money Nick’s place: tiny, small yard; flimsy structure; ramshackle, an “eye-sore” but “overlooked” Means people don’t notice it (or him) allowing him to see events/actions that otherwise wouldn’t be seen (makes him a good narrator!) Being so close to Gatsby will allow him – and us – to see the goings-on Gatsby’s place is a huge “imitation.” Has a tower, elaborate swimming pool; surrounded by enormous lawn and garden It is Norman in construction = ornate, fanciful; characterized by towers and “gingerbread” – like fairy tales and dreams – think ostentatious! This tells readers Gatsby is a dreamer (remember Nick says that Gatsby had some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life…an extraordinary gift for hope…he is idealistic and vulnerable – remember Nick said something “preyed” on him

The setting: east egg More fashionable; residents from “old money” = they inherited their money The Buchanan’s place is a cheerful looking mansion; surrounded by brilliant gardens; a huge lawn. It is Georgian in structure = solid, stately, dignified, balanced (w/ pillars) Tells readers that the Buchanan’s appear wealthy and cultured externally

Motif: gossip, rumors Butler’s nose Tom’s girl in New York Nick’s “engagement” to a girl from Mid-West (back home) – Daisy heard