Chapters 1-3 The Great Gatsby
Quiz: Gatsby ch. 1 What advice did the narrator’s father give him when he was younger? What book has Tom been reading (or describe what it is about)? What does Miss Baker tell Nick (the narrator) about Tom at the dinner table? What does Daisy say she hopes her daughter will become? How is Gatsby introduced into the novel?
Nick Carraway opening self-characterization Advice from father (*1) Holds back from judging others People confide in him Q: Why does Nick opens the novel by making these claims about himself? Q: Is Nick a reliable narrator? (the million dollar question!)
Nick Carraway Midwest background (Minnesota) Graduated from Yale 1915 Served in WWI Came East spring 1922 Pursue bond business Escape boredom of the Midwest Escape marrying girl back home Lives next door to Gatsby on West Egg
Tom Buchanan Q: What is your first impression of Tom? Filthy rich (family money) Just moved to East Egg from Chicago Former football star at Yale 30 years old, arrogant, “cruel body” Exhibits racism In an affair with a woman in New York Abusive? (Daisy’s bruised little finger)
Daisy Buchanan Q: What is your first impression of Daisy? Nick’s second cousin once removed Portrait (9) Sad and lovely face Compelling voice Behavior Flirtatious (with Nick) Insincere (conversation about daughter) Superficial (rumor about butler’s nose) Q: How is Daisy NOT what we expect from a mother?
Jordan Baker Introduction on p. 8: “balancing something on her nose” (haughtiness) Petite, athletic body; blond hair Golf star Cynical, disinterested, bored Nick remembers hearing a “critical, unpleasant story” about her (18)
Jay Gatsby Q: How does Fitzgerald create a sense of mystery surrounding Gatsby in this chapter? Nick’s opening description (*2) Mentioned by Jordan Baker at dinner Seen by Nick on his lawn in the moonlight (*20-21)
Character Wrap-Up Questions Which character(s) are sympathetic, and which character(s) do you instantly dislike? How does Nick compare with and interact with the other main characters?
Setting West Egg New money The “less fashionable” of the two East Egg Old money
Setting: Long Island, New York “East Egg” and “West Egg” Today known as “the Hamptons”
West Egg: Gatsby’s mansion Gatsby’s house was “a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden.” (p. 5) Pictured to the left: Beacon Towers, thought to have inspired Gatsby’s mansion
West Egg: Nick’s house Pictured above: an average-sized bungalow Nick’s house is “a weather-beaten cardboard bungalow at eighty a month.” (p. 3) “My own house was an eyesore…” (p. 3)
East Egg: the Buchanans’ mansion “Their house was even more elaborate than I had expected, a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay.” (p. 6) Pictured to the right: a typical Georgian colonial house
East Egg: the Buchanans’ House Pictured below: Lands End, the mansion that inspired the Buchanans’ house Torn down in April 2011
QUIZ: Gatsby Chapter 2 What is George Wilson’s profession? Who is Catherine? What is Mr. McKee’s job? How did Myrtle know right away that marrying George was a mistake? What does Tom do to Myrtle when she mentions Daisy’s name? Extra Credit: Name the magazine that Myrtle buys.
Chapter 2 Valley of Ashes Industrial wasteland located between the “Eggs” and New York City Modeled after a cinder dump in Queens Ash produced by coal-fired burners dumped into marshland Today the site of Flushing Meadows park Symbolizes poverty and hopelessness Imagery: bleak, barren, gray Location of the Wilsons’ garage
Valley of Ashes “A literary traveler visiting Corona finds not an ash dump, but Flushing Meadows park, larger even than Central Park, adorned with two lakes (one of them for sailboats), an art museum, a golf course, a zoo, the National Tennis Center, and the New York Hall of Science.” --Roger Starr, City Journal, Autumn 1992 http://www.weissmanfredi.com/projects/olympic_rowing_facilities.php
Valley of Ashes “Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg” Faded billboard left by an oculist Symbolism? http://thegreatgatsbysandm.blogspot.com/2011/05/eyes-of-tj-eckleburg.html
Chapter 2 Meet Tom’s Mistress…and More George Wilson: blond, dispirited, anemic Myrtle: mid-thirties, sensuous, materialistic Q: Myrtle’s other traits? http://pyxurz.blogspot.com/2012/02/great-gatsby-page-3-of-8.html
Chapter 2 Meet Tom’s Mistress…and More Catherine (Myrtle’s sister): modern woman (bob of red hair), worldly, gossip Mr. McKee: feminine man, photographer Mrs. McKee: “shrill, languid, handsome, and horrible” (30); flatterer, racist comment
Chapter 2 Plot Tom and Nick stop at Wilsons’ garage Train to NYC Introduction to George & Myrtle Wilson Train to NYC Myrtle buys “Airedale” Apartment at 158th street Decorations characterize Myrtle Drunken party Rumor about Gatsby: related to Kaiser Wilhelm Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose Nick helps Mr. McKee into bed http://www.breederretriever.com/dog-breeds/88/airedale-terrier.php
Chapter 2 Analysis What draws Tom and Myrtle to each other? Why doesn’t Tom divorce Daisy and marry Myrtle? Why does Tom break Myrtle’s nose? What role does Nick play in the party scene? *p. 35 “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.”
QUIZ: Gatsby Chapter 3 Identify one rumor spread about Gatsby at the party. What is Owl Eyes surprised to discover about Gatsby’s library? Why does Gatsby recognize Nick? As Nick leaves the party, what “bizarre and tumultuous scene” has drawn a crowd of observers? What character flaw does Nick detect in Jordan?
Chapter 3 Roaring Party! Evidence of Gatsby’s wealth (39-40) Rolls Royce Many servants Crates of oranges and fruit Lavish buffet Alcohol Full orchestra The Guests West Egg,East Egg, and beyond Invited and uninvited Nick’s invitation: “signed Jay Gatsby, in a majestic hand” (41)
Chapter 3 Will the real Gatsby please stand up? Rumors Lucille’s replaced gown (43) German spy (44) Killed a man (44) Went to Oxford (Jordan) (49) Nick meets Gatsby Shared war experience: Third Division “Old sport” Reassuring smile (*p. 48) “An elegant young roughneck, a year or two over thirty, whose elaborate formality of speech just missed being absurd” Invitation to go hydroplaning
Chapter 3 Will the real Gatsby please stand up? Behavior at party Aloof from guests (50) Doesn’t drink (50) Phone calls from Chicago, Philadelphia (48, 53) Speaks privately with Jordan (“I’ve just heard the most amazing thing…”) (50-52) http://www.forbes.com/2002/09/13/400fictional_16.html
Chapter 3 Roaring Party! “Owl Eyes” Library scene Car accident (54) Astonished that Gatsby’s books are real (45) Symbolism? Car accident (54) Confusion about who was driving
Chapter 3 Nick and Jordan Budding relationship Conversation about drivers Jordan: “It takes two to make an accident,” “I hate careless people” (58) Jordan’s dishonesty and Nick’s “cardinal virtue” (59) Remembered story: cheating at golf tournament (57) Nick breaks off relationship back home (59) Q: Do you believe Nick’s claim that he is an honest person?
Chapter 3 Analysis What mood is created in the party scene, and how? When Nick meets Gatsby at the party, is Gatsby what you expected?