The Great Gatsby by: F. Scott Fitzgerald Mr. Quick Grade 11 Credit given to Ms. Amorin

About the Author: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald Born on Sept. 24, 1896 Born on Sept. 24, 1896 Came from aristocratic (upper class) background- Irish working class family Came from aristocratic (upper class) background- Irish working class family Named after his relative, Francis Scott Key who wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” Named after his relative, Francis Scott Key who wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” Attended Princeton University; active in university’s creative literary scene Attended Princeton University; active in university’s creative literary scene Struggled with writing at first, so Struggled with writing at first, so he enlisted in the army, where he he enlisted in the army, where he met his wife, Zelda Sayre. met his wife, Zelda Sayre. After they married, he published his After they married, he published his first novel, This Side of Paradise. first novel, This Side of Paradise.

F. Scott Fitzgerald cont… Francis Scott and Zelda had a daughter named Frances “Scottie” Fitzgerald, then moved to France where he completed his most famous work, The Great Gatsby. Francis Scott and Zelda had a daughter named Frances “Scottie” Fitzgerald, then moved to France where he completed his most famous work, The Great Gatsby. After the success of After the success of The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald became an alcoholic, which became an alcoholic, which led to his downfall. led to his downfall. His wife suffered a nervous His wife suffered a nervous breakdown and was committed to a breakdown and was committed to a mental institution. mental institution. Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood as a Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood as a scriptwriter scriptwriter On Dec. 21, 1940, Fitzgerald suffered a On Dec. 21, 1940, Fitzgerald suffered a heart attack and died. heart attack and died.

Novel background info. The Great Gatsby was published in 1925 between WWI ( ) and WWII ( ) At this time, America was experiencing a split past by a predominantly agrarian (farming) society now quickly becoming urbanized and advanced with technological advances (automobile, radio, movies, jazz, alcohol, etc….) The 1920s was the era that was rapidly transforming all areas of American life.

1920- The beginning of *The Prohibition* The Prohibition, also known as the “great experiment” began in The Prohibition, also known as the “great experiment” began in This was the cause of the Volsted Act, or Eighteenth Amendment, which banned the sale, manufacture, and transportation of liquor. However, instead of making the U.S. a more temperate nation, it encouraged thousands of people, who otherwise might not have, to try “booze.” This was the cause of the Volsted Act, or Eighteenth Amendment, which banned the sale, manufacture, and transportation of liquor. However, instead of making the U.S. a more temperate nation, it encouraged thousands of people, who otherwise might not have, to try “booze.” “Bootleggers” made and sold illegal alcohol to normally law-abiding Americans who frequented “speakeasies” (clubs and bars that sold liquor). “Bootleggers” made and sold illegal alcohol to normally law-abiding Americans who frequented “speakeasies” (clubs and bars that sold liquor).

Bootleggers of the 1920s The Prohibition also led to other issues such as organized crime (Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, etc…) which was finally repealed in 1933.

The 19 th Amendment The 19 th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, took effect in 1920 as well. The 19 th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, took effect in 1920 as well. It was a culmination of efforts of women suffragists who had been working since the 1850s for women’s equality. It was a culmination of efforts of women suffragists who had been working since the 1850s for women’s equality. Freedom of the “new woman” Freedom of the “new woman” in the 1920s manifested itself in the 1920s manifested itself into the sexual and social into the sexual and social arena, giving ride to women. arena, giving ride to women.

19 th Amendment

The “New Woman” of the 1920s The 19 th amendment led to other “trends” for women The 19 th amendment led to other “trends” for women - “Flappers” - short, bobbed hair - short skirts - smoked in public - danced wildly (the Charleston, (the Charleston, Black Bottom) Black Bottom)

Modernism The 1920s were economically prosperous. The 1920s were economically prosperous. Money and alcohol flowed Money and alcohol flowed People were careless with money- at least those who had it for the most part. People were careless with money- at least those who had it for the most part. The Great Gatsby falls into the category of modernism. Modernism means something NOT of the “past.” This novel represents the changes of the 1920s had and people and society. The Great Gatsby falls into the category of modernism. Modernism means something NOT of the “past.” This novel represents the changes of the 1920s had and people and society.

Setting= East Egg vs. West Egg The story takes place on the mythical peninsulas of the East Egg and West Egg on the Long Island coast in New York. The story takes place on the mythical peninsulas of the East Egg and West Egg on the Long Island coast in New York.

East Egg Rich $$$ Rich $$$ A place of lavish homes A place of lavish homes Extravagant lifestyles Extravagant lifestyles Money is no object Money is no object Many who live on the East Egg were “born into money” Many who live on the East Egg were “born into money” They do not know any other lifestyle They do not know any other lifestyle “Upper” social class “Upper” social class Characters in The Great Gatsby, Daisy and Tom Buchanan live on the East Egg. Characters in The Great Gatsby, Daisy and Tom Buchanan live on the East Egg.

West Egg The West Egg area is for those of a moderate lifestyle The West Egg area is for those of a moderate lifestyle Generally have less money Generally have less money It is where the “middle” and “lower” social classes live It is where the “middle” and “lower” social classes live Characters who live in the West Egg are: Characters who live in the West Egg are: - Nick Carraway - Jay Gatsby (who oddly, is extremely wealthy)

Valley of Ashes In contrast to the East and West Egg is the valley of ashes. In contrast to the East and West Egg is the valley of ashes. It is a sad, depressed, and harsh environment. It is a sad, depressed, and harsh environment. There is nothing beautiful or enchanting about this place (very poor) There is nothing beautiful or enchanting about this place (very poor) This is where the Wilsons live This is where the Wilsons live (Myrtle & George) (Myrtle & George)

THEMES in The Great Gatsby “American Dream” “American Dream” Love Love Social status Social status Parting of social classes Parting of social classes Identity Identity Truth vs. Fiction Truth vs. Fiction Secrets/ mystery Secrets/ mystery Death Death Deception Deception Unfulfilled Desires Unfulfilled Desires “Eyes” of God (symbol) “Eyes” of God (symbol)

Characters Nick Carraway- Nick is the first person narrator and protagonist of the novel; every incident in interpreted by him. He represents the middle class (West Egg). Nick Carraway- Nick is the first person narrator and protagonist of the novel; every incident in interpreted by him. He represents the middle class (West Egg). Jay Gatsby- Gatsby is the supposed hero of the novel. He is a slippery character; his language home, books, cars, and attire glimmer like gold, but no one really knows what goes on inside of this mystery man Jay Gatsby- Gatsby is the supposed hero of the novel. He is a slippery character; his language home, books, cars, and attire glimmer like gold, but no one really knows what goes on inside of this mystery man Daisy Buchanan- Daisy is a Louisville, Kentucky, socialite born into tremendous wealth. She is an empty-headed character having a fake and airy voice. She is lovely, careless, and lacks substance. Daisy Buchanan- Daisy is a Louisville, Kentucky, socialite born into tremendous wealth. She is an empty-headed character having a fake and airy voice. She is lovely, careless, and lacks substance. Tom Buchanan- Tom is Daisy’s husband, a native from Chicago; also a hugely wealthy man. He is rugged, big, and brash, as well as racist, arrogant, and adulterous Tom Buchanan- Tom is Daisy’s husband, a native from Chicago; also a hugely wealthy man. He is rugged, big, and brash, as well as racist, arrogant, and adulterous

Characters… Jordan Baker- Jordan is a golfer- young, tan, and the love interest of Nick’s. Jordan, too, lacks substance. Jordan Baker- Jordan is a golfer- young, tan, and the love interest of Nick’s. Jordan, too, lacks substance. Myrtle Wilson- Myrtle is a resident of the valley of ashes, wife of George Wilson. She is desperate to escape her fate. Myrtle Wilson- Myrtle is a resident of the valley of ashes, wife of George Wilson. She is desperate to escape her fate. George Wilson- George is a sad proprietor of the gas station in the valley of ashes. He is the product of economical hardship. George is Myrtle’s husband George Wilson- George is a sad proprietor of the gas station in the valley of ashes. He is the product of economical hardship. George is Myrtle’s husband Doctor T.J. Eckleburg- The doctor whose advertisement- a billboard featuring a pair of gigantic blue eyes behind enormous yellow spectacles- looks down upon the valley of ashes. George Wilson calls those eyes, the eyes of God. Doctor T.J. Eckleburg- The doctor whose advertisement- a billboard featuring a pair of gigantic blue eyes behind enormous yellow spectacles- looks down upon the valley of ashes. George Wilson calls those eyes, the eyes of God.

Synopsis of novel The Great Gatsby is the tale of mystery man, Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire whose lavish parties, shiny suits, and magnificent house and care make him the talk of the town. The Great Gatsby is the tale of mystery man, Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire whose lavish parties, shiny suits, and magnificent house and care make him the talk of the town. The narrator, Nick, questions Gatsby’s appearances and motives as he observes his frequently odd behavior. The narrator, Nick, questions Gatsby’s appearances and motives as he observes his frequently odd behavior. As the novel progresses, the readers come to learn that there is more to the characters than the facade they lead people about them. As the novel progresses, the readers come to learn that there is more to the characters than the facade they lead people about them.

Enjoy the novel!!!

Synopsis…. The story takes place on the fictional peninsulas of the East and West Egg on the Long Island coast of New York during the 1920s. The story takes place on the fictional peninsulas of the East and West Egg on the Long Island coast of New York during the 1920s. The story contrasts the lavish lifestyles of the peninsulas with the grimy reality of the valley of ashes, the area between West Egg and New York City. The story contrasts the lavish lifestyles of the peninsulas with the grimy reality of the valley of ashes, the area between West Egg and New York City. The Great Gatsby highlights the gap between those who are living the American Dream and those who desperately want to. The Great Gatsby highlights the gap between those who are living the American Dream and those who desperately want to.

PRE- Reading Questions Do people dislike others who live lavishly and who have a lot of money because they are envious of them? Do they want what they have or is there another reason? Do people dislike others who live lavishly and who have a lot of money because they are envious of them? Do they want what they have or is there another reason? Do people feel like outsiders because of social classes? Do people feel like outsiders because of social classes? Do people think class is important or is money the only measure of success? Do people think class is important or is money the only measure of success?