1. Who’s Who in the Most Famous American Novel of the 20th Century
The Great Gatsby
Introduction:
Who’s Who in the Most Famous American Novel of the 20th Century

2. F. Scott Fitzgerald & the Lost Generation
Who were they?
Why so “lost”?
Gertrude Stein & the Expatriates in Paris
“There is no there, there”

3. Influence & Impact Published 1925 Popularity: mixed…
Then vs. Now
One of the most commonly read novels in all of American Literature
Films…lots of them!

4. Setting & Plot Just after WW I, roughly 1922 (spring to fall)
Long Island & New York
East & West Egg
Valley of Ashes
Temptation of wealth
Pitfalls of the American Dream & emptiness of the rich

5. Major Characters Nick Carraway Jay Gatsby Tom & Daisy Buchanan
Jordan Baker
George & Myrtle Wilson

6. Nick Carraway Narrator: entire story told from his point of view
Reliable?
Lives in Gatsby’s guest house
Daisy’s cousin
From Midwest
Observer

7. Jay Gatsby James Gatz From Midwest, blue-collar, working class
Reinvents himself
Fixated on success, which = DAISY!
Obsessed with Daisy…or IS he?
Lives across water from Buchanans’
American Dream
Lies & false hope
“Old sport”
Social awkwardness

8. Tom & Daisy Buchanan Daisy: Tom:
Young, beautiful, & rich
Status symbol
More than she appears
Ginevera King
Tom:
Extremely wealthy
Arrogant
William Mitchell
Due to wealth & status, both live with total impunity

9. Jordan Baker Jordan Baker Daisy’s good friend
self-supportive (somewhat - no husband)
Professional golfer but shady
Represents fast, loose, & independent women of the 1920s; a true “flapper”?

10. George & Myrtle Wilson Live in Valley of Ashes Own auto-shop Poor
Myrtle: Tom’s mistress
Represent lower, working class
Detritus of the wealthy