The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Brief History of F. Scott Fitzgerald Born Sept. 24, 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota Born Sept. 24, 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota Distant relative of Francis Scott Key, writer of the “Star Spangled Banner” Distant relative of Francis Scott Key, writer of the “Star Spangled Banner” 1913-started at Princeton University (dream of his to attend a private school in the East) 1913-started at Princeton University (dream of his to attend a private school in the East) Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby, characters from the novel, are also Midwest men who go East to make it big Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby, characters from the novel, are also Midwest men who go East to make it big Left Princeton in 1917 to join the Army Left Princeton in 1917 to join the Army

Fitzgerald and His Zelda Met Zelda Sayre at a dance in Alabama Met Zelda Sayre at a dance in Alabama Not allowed to marry Zelda until he could support her; Zelda was upset, and broke off the engagement Not allowed to marry Zelda until he could support her; Zelda was upset, and broke off the engagement Married in 1920; This Side of Paradise was a huge success for Fitzgerald Married in 1920; This Side of Paradise was a huge success for Fitzgerald

Downfall With fame and wealth now, the couple immersed themselves in the Roaring Twenties With fame and wealth now, the couple immersed themselves in the Roaring Twenties 1925-Gatsby published; not as much of a success 1925-Gatsby published; not as much of a success Zelda diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1932, hospitalized for rest of life Zelda diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1932, hospitalized for rest of life Fitzgerald’s drinking increased; heart attack Dec. 21, 1940 killed him Fitzgerald’s drinking increased; heart attack Dec. 21, 1940 killed him

The Cover Referred to as “Celestial Eyes,” the jacket cover for The Great Gatsby was created by a little known French artist named Francis Cugat Referred to as “Celestial Eyes,” the jacket cover for The Great Gatsby was created by a little known French artist named Francis Cugat Fitzgerald saw the cover before he finished the novel; he pleaded with his publisher to procure it because he had “written it into” the book Fitzgerald saw the cover before he finished the novel; he pleaded with his publisher to procure it because he had “written it into” the book Look at the 1925 jacket cover on the first slide of the presentation. What images can you pick out and what might they signify? Look at the 1925 jacket cover on the first slide of the presentation. What images can you pick out and what might they signify?

The Move to Long Island The Fitzgeralds moved to Great Neck, Long Island, home of the nouveau riche, in 1922 The Fitzgeralds moved to Great Neck, Long Island, home of the nouveau riche, in 1922 Fitzgerald used Great Neck as a model for “West Egg,” the setting of Gatsby, and Manhasset Neck, just across the bay, served as its opposite, the old- money peninsula of “East Egg.” Fitzgerald used Great Neck as a model for “West Egg,” the setting of Gatsby, and Manhasset Neck, just across the bay, served as its opposite, the old- money peninsula of “East Egg.”

Long Island Geography

The “Jazz Age” Characteristics Characteristics ● much prosperity after WWI ● Prohibition led to bootleggers making millions + an increase in organized crime (18 th Amendment repealed by 21 st ) ● automobile production increases  growth of suburbs ● 19 th Amendment-women gain right to vote  surge in independent behavior like flappers (wore short dresses, cut their hair short or bobbed it, wore gaudy jewelry) ● Harlem Renaissance-renewal of African- American literature, art, and music

Prohibition and the “Lost Generation” Rise of gambling-1919 World Series Rise of gambling-1919 World Series Speakeasies provided illegal liquor as well as entertainment (often jazz) and prostitutes Speakeasies provided illegal liquor as well as entertainment (often jazz) and prostitutes Fed up with America’s decadence, many American authors became expatriates in Europe (“Lost Generation”) Fed up with America’s decadence, many American authors became expatriates in Europe (“Lost Generation”)

The Plot of Gatsby The narrator, a young Yale graduate by the name of Nick Carraway, moves to West Egg, Long Island after graduating and is immersed in the lavish lifestyle and over-the-top parties of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby pines for the upper-class (and married) Daisy Buchanan, but the details of his past, which Nick discovers as the novel progresses, could have consequences for both their love and the lives of all the characters. The narrator, a young Yale graduate by the name of Nick Carraway, moves to West Egg, Long Island after graduating and is immersed in the lavish lifestyle and over-the-top parties of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby pines for the upper-class (and married) Daisy Buchanan, but the details of his past, which Nick discovers as the novel progresses, could have consequences for both their love and the lives of all the characters.

Themes/Motifs Isolation Isolation Decline of the American Dream Decline of the American Dream Upper class emptiness Upper class emptiness Geographical tensions (West Egg vs. East Egg) Geographical tensions (West Egg vs. East Egg) Weather (as in Lear, weather reflects moods or emotions) Weather (as in Lear, weather reflects moods or emotions)