F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

About the Author Born-September 24, 1896 Born-September 24, 1896 Died-December 21, 1940 Died-December 21, 1940 Married Zelda Sayre Married Zelda Sayre Famous works include The Great Gatsby Famous works include The Great Gatsby The Beautiful and the Damned Tender is the Night

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Impact on Society Fitzgerald named the 1920’s “The Jazz Age” Fitzgerald named the 1920’s “The Jazz Age” Wrote screenplays for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Wrote screenplays for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Created the The Great Gatsby which is said to be the most accurate description of the 1920’s Created the The Great Gatsby which is said to be the most accurate description of the 1920’s

The Jazz Age Prohibition was in effect Prohibition was in effect Dances such as the Charleston were popular Dances such as the Charleston were popular Popular sayings included 23 Skidoo, Bee’s Knees Popular sayings included 23 Skidoo, Bee’s Knees Economy was in a “Boom” Economy was in a “Boom”

World War I World War I ended in World War I ended in Disillusioned because of the war, the generation that fought and survived has come to be called “the lost generation.” Disillusioned because of the war, the generation that fought and survived has come to be called “the lost generation.”

The Roaring Twenties America seemed to throw itself headlong into a decade of madcap behavior and materialism, a decade that has come to be called the Roaring Twenties. America seemed to throw itself headlong into a decade of madcap behavior and materialism, a decade that has come to be called the Roaring Twenties.

The New Woman Among the rules broken were the age-old conventions guiding the behavior of women. The new woman demanded the right to vote and to work outside the home. Among the rules broken were the age-old conventions guiding the behavior of women. The new woman demanded the right to vote and to work outside the home. Symbolically, she cut her hair into a boyish “bob” and bared her calves in the short skirts of the fashionable twenties “flapper.” Symbolically, she cut her hair into a boyish “bob” and bared her calves in the short skirts of the fashionable twenties “flapper.”

The Flappers Flappers were women who rebelled against the fashion and social norms of the early 1900’s. Flappers were women who rebelled against the fashion and social norms of the early 1900’s. They married at a later age and drank and smoked in public They married at a later age and drank and smoked in public Flappers were known for their carefree lifestyles. Flappers were known for their carefree lifestyles.

Flapper Fashion Flappers dressed in shapeless dresses that came to the knee. Flappers dressed in shapeless dresses that came to the knee. Dresses were made to look “boy-like” Dresses were made to look “boy-like” Gender bending was common. Women would try to make themselves look more man-like. Gender bending was common. Women would try to make themselves look more man-like.

Prohibition Another rule often broken was the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, or Prohibition, which banned the public sale of alcoholic beverages from 1919 until its appeal in Another rule often broken was the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, or Prohibition, which banned the public sale of alcoholic beverages from 1919 until its appeal in Speak-easies, nightclubs, and taverns that sold liquor were often raided, and gangsters made illegal fortunes as bootleggers, smuggling alcohol into America from abroad. Speak-easies, nightclubs, and taverns that sold liquor were often raided, and gangsters made illegal fortunes as bootleggers, smuggling alcohol into America from abroad.

Gambling Another gangland activity was illegal gambling. Another gangland activity was illegal gambling. Perhaps the worst scandal involving gambling was the so-called Black Sox Scandal of 1919, in which eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted for accepting bribes to throw baseball’s World Series. Perhaps the worst scandal involving gambling was the so-called Black Sox Scandal of 1919, in which eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted for accepting bribes to throw baseball’s World Series.

The Automobile The Jazz Age was also an era of reckless spending and consumption, and the most conspicuous status symbol of the time was a flashy new automobile. The Jazz Age was also an era of reckless spending and consumption, and the most conspicuous status symbol of the time was a flashy new automobile. Advertising was becoming the major industry that it is today, and soon advertisers took advantage of new roadways by setting up huge billboards at their sides. Advertising was becoming the major industry that it is today, and soon advertisers took advantage of new roadways by setting up huge billboards at their sides. Both the automobile and a bizarre billboard play important roles in The Great Gatsby. Both the automobile and a bizarre billboard play important roles in The Great Gatsby.

The American Dream Gatsby is the ideal image of one who has achieved the American Dream. Gatsby is the ideal image of one who has achieved the American Dream. The American Dream is the concept widely held in the United States of America, that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. The American Dream is the concept widely held in the United States of America, that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity.

Old Money Vs. New Money New Money: New Money: Someone who has achieved the American Dream Someone who has achieved the American Dream Not as respected in the 1920’s Not as respected in the 1920’s Old Money: Money from family wealth Born rich Not earned through work done by yourself Respected above all in the 1920’s

Symbolism in Literature Sometimes, there’s more to literature than meets the eye…. Sometimes, there’s more to literature than meets the eye…. Characters Characters Items Items Colors Colors Names Names

Symbolism and The Great Gatsby Just as characterization, dialogue, and plot work on the surface to move the story along, symbolism works under the surface to tie the story's external action to a universal theme. Just as characterization, dialogue, and plot work on the surface to move the story along, symbolism works under the surface to tie the story's external action to a universal theme.

Symbolism Continued… The mere sight of a skull and crossbones figure and you know that there is something that you are being warned against. Roses and images of hearts have become synonymous with love. Different colors have come to symbolize different emotions, for example purple for royalty, green for envy and red for passion or anger. The mere sight of a skull and crossbones figure and you know that there is something that you are being warned against. Roses and images of hearts have become synonymous with love. Different colors have come to symbolize different emotions, for example purple for royalty, green for envy and red for passion or anger. Symbolism in literature has been a writing method of choice for many authors and writers due to the allowance of subtlety that this literary device enables you with. Symbolism in literature has been a writing method of choice for many authors and writers due to the allowance of subtlety that this literary device enables you with.

Characters as Symbols Authors sometimes create characters who represent societal influences Authors sometimes create characters who represent societal influences Ex. The Wicked Witch represents the evil that exists in society Ex. The Wicked Witch represents the evil that exists in society Ex. Glenda the good witch symbolizes the benevolent side of society Ex. Glenda the good witch symbolizes the benevolent side of society Characters can also represent ideas, prejudices, beliefs, etc. Characters can also represent ideas, prejudices, beliefs, etc.

Colors as Symbols The color “green” is normally associated with jealousy; however, it can also represent money/wealth. Ex. Green eyed monster– Shakespeare made up in Othello The color “green” is normally associated with jealousy; however, it can also represent money/wealth. Ex. Green eyed monster– Shakespeare made up in Othello The color white is most often used to represent purity or goodness whereas darker colors such as black or gray symbolize wickedness or evil The color white is most often used to represent purity or goodness whereas darker colors such as black or gray symbolize wickedness or evil

Places as Symbols Water/rivers are often used to symbolize a cleansing or freedom Water/rivers are often used to symbolize a cleansing or freedom Hollywood is a known symbol for wealth and fame Hollywood is a known symbol for wealth and fame

It’s time for you to decide, Old Sport… So what do the people, places, and items in the novel we are about to read actually represent?

Symbols in The Great Gatsby Green Light- Visible from Gatsby’s mansion~ Not going to tell you what this symbolizes…. You have to figure this out on your own. Green Light- Visible from Gatsby’s mansion~ Not going to tell you what this symbolizes…. You have to figure this out on your own.

Symbols in The Great Gatsby The Valley of Ashes- the area between West Egg and New York City. It is a desolate area filled with industrial waste. The Valley of Ashes- the area between West Egg and New York City. It is a desolate area filled with industrial waste. Interesting… what could this symbolize???? Interesting… what could this symbolize????

Symbols in The Great Gatsby The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg- A decaying billboard in the Valley of Ashes with eyes advertising an optometrist. There are multiple proposed meanings, I wonder what they are…. The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg- A decaying billboard in the Valley of Ashes with eyes advertising an optometrist. There are multiple proposed meanings, I wonder what they are….

Symbols in The Great Gatsby East and West Egg- The two major settings of the novel act as a physical symbol. The barrier that the water creates between these worlds is symbolic of the barrier that keeps these people apart from one another and from much of what they want. East and West Egg- The two major settings of the novel act as a physical symbol. The barrier that the water creates between these worlds is symbolic of the barrier that keeps these people apart from one another and from much of what they want.

Topics in The Great Gatsby (which you will make into themes…) Marriage and Infidelity Marriage and Infidelity Love Love Society and Class Society and Class Wealth Wealth Isolation Isolation Gender Gender Dissatisfaction Dissatisfaction Lies and Truth Relationships American Dream Compassion and Forgiveness Culture Clash Carelessness and Selfishness

Characters of The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby- The self-made wealthy man who lives next door to Nick Carraway and loves Daisy Buchanan Jay Gatsby- The self-made wealthy man who lives next door to Nick Carraway and loves Daisy Buchanan

Characters of The Great Gatsby Nick Carraway- the narrator, Daisy’s cousin, and Gatsby’s neighbor Nick Carraway- the narrator, Daisy’s cousin, and Gatsby’s neighbor

Characters in The Great Gatsby Daisy Buchanan- married to Tom, Gatsby’s love interest before the war, socialite Daisy Buchanan- married to Tom, Gatsby’s love interest before the war, socialite

Other Characters in The Great Gatsby Tom Buchanan- Daisy’s husband, has an affair with Myrtle Tom Buchanan- Daisy’s husband, has an affair with Myrtle Myrtle Wilson- Tom’s woman in the city, married to George Myrtle Wilson- Tom’s woman in the city, married to George George Wilson- owns the gas station George Wilson- owns the gas station Jordan Baker- Daisy’s friend, professional golfer Jordan Baker- Daisy’s friend, professional golfer

Settings in The Great Gatsby West Egg- where Nick and Gatsby live, represents new money West Egg- where Nick and Gatsby live, represents new money East Egg- where Daisy & Tom live, the more fashionable area, represents old money East Egg- where Daisy & Tom live, the more fashionable area, represents old money

Settings in The Great Gatsby The City- New York City, where the characters escape to for work and play The City- New York City, where the characters escape to for work and play The Valley of Ashes- between the City and West Egg, where Wilson’s The Valley of Ashes- between the City and West Egg, where Wilson’s gas station is gas station is

Important Quotes “I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” “I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” Daisy’s description of her daughter “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” –the last line of the novel “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” –the last line of the novel

Important Quotes "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made." – Nick’s description of Tom and Daisy "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made." – Nick’s description of Tom and Daisy