The Great Gatsby

Great Gatsby: Chapter two feb,18th,2013

PLOT
-Tom Buchanan takes Nick to George Wilson's garage, which lies at the edge of the valley of ashes.
- He then meets women named Myrtle, who Tom is having an affair.
- Nick, then is forced to travel with Tom and Myrtle to the city. There, Tom and Myrtle decide to have a vulgar party with Myrtle’s sister, Catherine, and a couple named McKee.
- The group gossip about Jay Gatsby. There rumors start to stir up when Catherine begins to tell the group how she claims Gatsby to be related to Kaiser Wilhelm, the ruler of Germany during WWI.
- Later during the evening, Nick states that the group gets drunk, and that in his whole entire life, he has been drunk twice, and the second time was that afternoon.
- Myrtle begins to get extremely talkative, and harsh, and begins to annoy Tom by chanting out Daisy’s name. Tom tells her that “she has no right to say Daisy’s name”, but in the end, Myrtle continues to taunt him, causing Tom to break Myrtle’s nose.
Conflicts
-Tom and Myrtle
Even though Tom and Myrtle are together, and seem happy, there times in the end of the chapter that show toms anger towards Myrtle ( breaking her nose) Whats more, is how he gets anger at her when she starts chanting Daisy’s name to the group. “Keeps her in her place”
-Myrtle and George Wilson
Point of View
1st person- Nick as the narrator
Characterization
Myrtle Wilson
-George‘s wife and Tom’s mistress
-“ … moment the thickish figure of a women blocked out the light from the office door. She was in her middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as a women can. Her face…” (25)
-her good quality is constantly to improve her situation. Has a lot of self-confidence.
- Nick states that even “though she isn’t pretty, she has a lot of energy as her nerves were continuously smouldering”
- her emotions change constantly, which makes her a bit fake.
- cheating on her husband who loves her very much, with Tom, who treats her badly.
- In comparison to Daisy, Myrtle is vital. While Daisy wears all white in chapter one, Myrtle dresses in saturated colours and wears deep red lips. Myrtle is straightforward.
George Wilson
-A man whose only passion is his love for his wife
-Works in a shabby garage.
-A contrast with Tom, a morally upright man who lacks money and privilege
Tom Buchanan
-the chapter shows Tom’s hypocrisy and lack of restraint.
-Feels no guilt for betraying Daisy, but feels to compelled to keep Myrtle in her place.
- Tom at one point in the chapter turns into a bully who uses social status and physical strength to dominate those around him- taunts Wilson while having an affair with his wife; no guilt for his behavior.
-does not hesitates to use his power to lash out at Myrtle.
Catherine
- Myrtle\s sister, “slender, worldy girl about thirty, with a sticky bob of red hair” who functions as Nick’s companion at Myrtle’s request.
Mr. Mrs. McKee
-A couple who live in the hotel where Tom and Myrtle and Nick go for a party.
Themes
American Dream- the wanting of wealth from Myrtle
Values- Toms’ affair with Myrtle, and taunting George
Appearance vs. Reality
Setting
Halfway between West Egg and New York City sprawls a desolate plain, a gray valley where New York’s ashes are dumped.

Great Gatsby: Chapter 3 feb 18th 2013

PLOT
-Nick begins the chapter with the introduction of Gatsby’s Saturday night parties, which are famously known throughout New York.
-The parties are lavish, and guest marvel at the site of wealth throughout the lot. (Food, musicians, pool, and most importantly the unlimited liquor he generously supplies to the guest every weekends.
-Nick states that Gatsby’s mansion is packed- very few of them seem to be invited, and even fewer have met Gatsby face to face.
-Nick meets Jordan Baker, who is more bitter than usual since she lost the tournament.
- People seem to enjoy gossiping about the host, as one even states that they heard the Gatsby even killed a man in cold blood or that he was a spy for Germany during WWI
- Jordan and Nick go looking for Gatsby, instead they meet a man which Nick names “Owl Eyes” since he had large eyeglasses. Passing into the library with Owl Man, Nick and Jordan start skimming the books.
- Owl man and Jordan state that the books are false, but find out that they are real.
-Nick then proceeds to walk outside. There he starts to have a conversation with a handsome, youthful man who looks familiar to him; turns out to be a man he met during the division in the military.
- Nick finds out that the man, is Gatsby.
- Nick then leaves the party around two in the morning, and sees Owl Eyes again, who had crashed into the ditch.
-Nick informs the reader that he did not merely attend this event, but also working in New York, a city which he loves and hates.
Conflict
Person vs. Person Person vs. Society
Point of View
1st person- author reinforces Nick’s position as a reliable narrator.
Characterization
Nick
-Falls in love with Gatsby’s smile,remarking that it has “a quality of eternal reassurance in it”
-Romantically involved with Jordan Baker. Though he finds her essential dishonest
Jordan Baker
- "The bored haughty face that [Jordan] turned to the world concealed something...and one day I found what it was...she left a borrowed car out in the rain with the top down and then lied about it...At her first big golf tournament there was a row that nearly reached the newspapers -- a suggestion that she had moved her ball from a bad lie in the semi-final round...The incident and the name had remained together in my mind." (57)
- She is beautiful, rich and a championship golfer
-Dishonest, cynical and condescendingly proud
- Jordan is also a very dishonest person, and Nick doesn't seem to care about it. Jordan is very similar to many of the women that have been introduced so far in the book, except that she always seems to be bored with life.
Jay Gatsby
-Author finally introduces Gatsby. The reader has seen and heard of Gatsby from a distance, and heard Nicks thoughts about him.
He does not drink, he does not dance, he remains an observer. The man himself stands in stark contrast to the sinister gossip Nick has heard about him. Gatsby is young and handsome, with a beautiful smile that seems to radiate hope and optimism. Nick falls instantly in love with Gatsby's smile, remarking that it has "a quality of eternal reassurance in it." Gatsby's innate hopefulness is contagious.
Though Nick implies throughout the novel that wealth and ostentation tend to mask immorality and decay, Gatsby's wealth seems to serve another purpose, one that is not yet clear. The reader already knows that not everything about Gatsby is mere display: his books are real, for example, and his smile is real. However, he has a queer false English accent that is obviously false. Gatsby, at this point in the novel, remains an enigma, a creature of contradictions.
- Jay Gatsby becomes the motivating question of the book, and the unraveling of Gatsby’s character becomes one of its central mechanisms. One early clue to Gatsby’s character in this chapter is his mysterious conversation with Jordan Baker. Though Nick does not know what Gatsby says to her, the fact that Jordan now knows something “remarkable” about Gatsby means that a part of the solution to the enigma of Gatsby is now loose among Nick’s circle of acquaintances?
Themes
Appearance vs. Reality

Great Gatsby: Chapter 4 March 3, 2013

PLOT
-In the first 2 pages of chapter four, Nick talks about important guests that attend Gatsby’s parties in the summer of July 25th 1922
- From the nation’s most wealthy and powerful people
- He then describes the trip to New York with Gatsby to eat lunch.
-As they drive, Gatsby tells Nick his own personal history. How his claims to be the son of wealthy, decreased parents from Midwest. He then tells Nick which city he’s from (San Francisco) and lists his accomplishments.
-Story seems highly improbable
-Gatsby educated at Oxford, collected jewels in Europe, hunted big games, and awarded medals in army.
- Gatsby shows medal to nick to prove himself playing cricket in Oxford. - Gatsby ask for a big favor; he wants Nick to talk with Jordan about something, but is vague and won’t give further specificities
- Police man stops Gatsby for speeding, but then apologies after Gatsby showing a white card.
-In city, Nick meets Mr. Wolfsheim;Gatsby’s business partner
-Nick doesn’t trust Mr. Wolfsheim : supposedly Mr. fixed world series 1919
-Nick sees Tom across the room, and tries to introduce Gatsby to Tom, but Gatsby disappears
-Later Meets Jordan, and she tells Nick about the conversation she had with Gatsby. (tells nick about the story Gatsby and Daisy met in October 1917- “Daisy dressed in all white” Daisy was of high society and Gatsby was a young officer head over heels for her.
- Though she chose to marry Tom after Gatsby left for the war, Daisy drank herself into numbness the night before her wedding, after she received a letter from Gatsby. Daisy has apparently remained faithful to her husband throughout their marriage, but Tom has not. Jordan adds that Gatsby bought his mansion in West Egg solely to be near Daisy.
- Nick remembers when he first saw Gatsby stretching his arms out to the water and realizes that the green light he saw was the light at the end of Daisy’s dock.
-Gatsby wants Nick to invite Daisy to tea. Without Daisy’s knowledge, Gatsby intends to come to the tea at Nick’s house as well, surprising her and forcing her to see him.

Conflict
Person vs. person
How Gatsby lied to Nick
Gatsby and Daisy
Point of View
1st person
Characterization/ Analysis
Gatsby
-Chapter concerns itself with the mystery of Gatsby past, background and source of wealth.
-Gatsby still is not entirely trustworthy (illustrious past seems exaggerated)
-Jordan tells nick about Gatsby romantic side, forced to worship his lover from afar. As well tells Nick that something in Gatsby’s Background made Daisy’s parents oppose of him.
- A young solider when meeting Daisy for the first time.
-Gatsby yearning has been apparent since 1st chapter: Daisy and his love for Daisy made him reach out towards the green light. Green light serves as a symbol for Gatsby’s dauntless romantic life, Daisy herself and the American dream.
-Gatsby’s infamous parties are only to attract Daisy’s attention.
Meyer Woldsheim
-A business connection of Gatsby’s
Themes:
Appearance vs. reality
American dream

Great Gatsby: Chapter 5 march 3rd 2013

PLOT
-That same night, Nick arrives home from the city at 2:00 in the morning
-Finds Gatsby’s house lit like “World’s Fair”, but no one is inside
-As Nick walks home, Gatsby is waiting for him
- Gatsby tries to make Nick Happy- invites him to Coney Island, then for a swim.
- Gatsby is nervous because he wants Nick to agree to the plan to invite Daisy over
-Nick tells him that he will do it.
- Gatsby thrilled, offers Nick a job “confidential sort of thing” and assures him that he will not be working with Mr. Wolfsheim.
-Nick is somewhat insulted by the offer and declines the offer.
- On big day, it begins to rain. Gatsby being all nervous is afraid she wont show, food is not right, sky is too blue, etc.
-Daisy arrives, but when Nick brings her into the house, he finds that Gatsby has suddenly disappeared
-Gatsby’s and Daisy’s reunion is awkward, then telling Nick outside that the meeting was a mistake
-Nick suggests Daisy might feel less uncomfortable were they NOT speaking about her in clearly audible tones in the next room.
-Nick leaves the two to talk and hangs out in the rain. When he arrives again, Gatsby is glowing, and Daisy is crying
-rain has stopped, and Gatsby invites Nick and Daisy over to his house, where he shows them his possessions. Daisy is overwhelmed by his luxurious lifestyle, and when he shows her his extensive collection of English shirts
-While they are perusing his house, Gatsby explains that a large framed picture is one Mr. Dan Cody, supposedly an "old friend.”
- Nick heads home, leaving Gatsby and Daisy alone together.
Conflict
Person vs. person

Characterization
Nick
-Nick and his feelings and attitudes towards many things.
- "I realize now that under different circumstances that conversation might have been one of the crises of my life. But, because the offer was obviously and tactlessly for a service to be rendered, I had no choice but to cut him off there." Through this quote, it becomes very possible to analyze some of Nick's best qualities.
-honest person
-Nick is somewhat of a pessimist
-serving as one of Gatsby's good friends.
-Nick often puts himself out of the action to better analyze the thoughts and feelings of those around him
Gatsby
- he longs to stop time, as though he and Daisy had never been separated and as though she had never left him to marry Tom.
- Nick remarks that he is acting like "a little boy." In Daisy's presence, Gatsby loses his usual debonair manner and behaves like any awkward young man in love.
-still a shy young soldier in love with a privileged debutante
Daisy
She weeps when he shows her his collection of sumptuous English shirts, and seems genuinely overjoyed at his success. In short, Gatsby transforms her; she becomes almost human. Daisy is more sympathetic in this chapter than she is at any other point in the novel.
Symbols
-rain: The rain can be though to represent Gatsby's moods and overall outtake on the situation before him. Note that as Daisy arrives and Gatsby is overcome by depression and anxiety, the sky pours down rain. However, as the two become reacquainted with one another and interact in a positive and friendly manner, the sky seems to clear up.
- green light (which is mentioned again in this chapter) represents his hopes and dreams, and the weather represents his feelings.
-wound clock- is significant that Gatsby, in his nervousness about whether Daisy's feelings toward him have changed, knocks over Nick's clock: this signifies both Gatsby's consuming desire to stop time and his inability to do so

Great Gatsby: Chapter 6

PLOT
-A newspaper man from the city has heard the great rumors about this mysterious Mr. Gatsby who throws lavish parties. He comes (in vain) to get information from Jay.
-Nick decides to tell us the truth about Gatsby’s past.
-Gatsby grew up poor with the name "James Gatz”
-The creation that is "Jay Gatsby" was born the day James Gatz, at 17-years-old, rowed out to meet Dan Cody’s yacht, to tell him that a "wind might catch up and break him up in half an hour."
-Dan Cody became his mentor and best friend. He spent the next five years as Cody’s steward, mate, skipper, secretary, and, sometimes, when Cody got too drunk, jailor
-Nick recalls the portrait of the man in Gatsby’s bedroom
-According to Cody’s will, Gatsby was supposed to inherit his money – but Cody’s mistress intervened and kept it for herself
-Nick is at Gatsby’s place when this man Sloane and the girl he’s with stop by – with Tom Buchanan
-Gatsby has, in his mind, secured Daisy; he’s rather aggressive to Tom, taunting subtly, "I know your wife." Tom, who hates to be out-manned by anyone, takes an instant disliking to Gatsby.
-The next Saturday, Tom and Daisy both come to Gatsby’s party.
-Daisy and Gatsby sneak over to Nick’s house to have some couple time on his front steps
-Tom leaves to eat at another table. Daisy knows what it’s all about – she tells Nick that the girl is "common but pretty" and even goes so far as to give Tom her "little gold pencil"
-tone of this party is different from the others; everyone is hostile, drunk, and kind of rude
-Daisy doesn’t like the crudeness of the crowd, or of West Egg in general. But she pretends to be impressed with it when Tom starts knocking the party
--Tom wants to find out "the truth" about Gatsby
-Daisy is extremely certain that Gatsby’s money came from drug stores. She leaves with Tom.
-Nick stays until the bitter end. He talks with Gatsby, who is concerned that he "can’t make Daisy understand.
- Gatsby wants the impossible out of Daisy: "He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved you.’" Nick cautions Gatsby that he can’t repeat the past.-Gatsby i replies that "of course you can!"
Nick imagines Gatsby as a younger man courting the eighteen-year-old Daisy. Gatsby wanted to "gulp" down everything that surrounded her – her life, the culture of the wealthy, the wonder.
-Nick says he is "reminded of" something that he has long forgotten – but it escapes his mind

Conflict:
Person vs. person
Person Vs. society