1. Notes Junior Language Arts
The Great Gatsby
Notes
Junior Language Arts

2. F. Scott Fitzgerald
Named after his cousin,the author of the National Anthem
His family never stayed longer than 3 years in a place
Had all the traditions of old money… except the money
Went to Princeton
Was on academic probation, so he joined the army

3. Fitzgerald cont. Convinced he would die in the war, he began writing
Literary opinion is that he is an irresponsible writer because he was a big drinker

4. Fitzgerald cont. Met Zelda when stationed in Alabama
She wouldn’t marry him because he didn’t have money
He published a novel and became famous, Zelda said yes
They were both alcoholics and had legendary fights
When his wife was in a mental hospital, he fell in love with another woman

5. F. Scott Fitzgerald Fitzgerald died believing himself a failure
Zelda died in a hospital fire
No other writer captured the moral decay of a generation

6. Modernism Focus on moving away from Realism
Politically and socially charged
They sought to capture the essence of human life in the form and content of their work
They omitted exposition, transitions, resolutions, and explanations used in classic literature
Themes were implied and readers are forced to draw their own conclusions

7. The Great Gatsby Published in 1925 Originally not a successful novel
A lyrical picture of American values
He was a painstaking reviser who went through layers of rough drafts to reach perfection
His stories focused on the American woman- a young, free-thinking, independent “flapper”

8. Characters….Nick Carraway
Young man from Minnesota
Educated at Yale
Goes to NYC to learn the bond business
Moves to West Egg (a fictional part of Long Island)
The novel is told through his eyes
Befriends Gatsby

9. Jay Gatsby Protagonist and title character
Wealthy; lives in a Gothic mansion
Famous for his lavish parties
No one knows where he comes from or how he made his fortune

10. Daisy Buchanan Nick’s cousin and the woman Gatsby loves
She is married to Tom
Lives in East Egg
Beautiful socialite

11. Tom Buchanan Daisy’s immensely wealthy husband
Arrogant, hypocritical bully
Having an extramarital affair with Myrtle

12. Jordan Baker Daisy’s friend Nick becomes involved with her
Cynical, boyish, and self-centered
Dishonest

13. George and Myrtle Wilson
Myrtle – Tom’s lover
George – lifeless, exhausted owner of a run-down auto shop
George is a dreamer

14. The Great Gatsby Setting – Summer, 1922 in Long Island
Focuses on the disintegration of the American Dream in an era of unprecedented wealth

15. Gatsby cont. Decayed moral and social values
American Dream is about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness

16. Symbols The Green Light The Valley of Ashes
The eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg