Gatsby notes
The Great Gatsby
Chapter One
Fitzgerald uses this chapter to set the scene of the novel. Makes clear that the events in the novel have already taken place – the characters’ fates are already decided. Most of the main characters are introduced. Nick refers to “Midas and Morgan and Maecenas” – all three renowned for their incredible wealth. Midas is a Greek myth. Fitzgerald hints that MYTH and REALITY will be mixed throughout the novel.
Characterisation - Nick
Nick is initially portrayed as the perfect narrator – “inclined to reserve all judgements”. He appears as tolerant, open minded, quiet and a good listener. Others tell him their secrets – “I was privy to the secret grief”, “Most of the confidences”, “intimate revelation” Nick is clearly from a privileged background “Just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” and “My father snobbishly suggested and I snobbishly repeat” Does this hint at a COMPLEX CONTRADICTION WITHIN NICK’S CHARACTER?
There are clear contradictions apparent in Nick’s character even from the very beginning of the novel - “ And, after boasting this way of my tolerance, I came to the conclusion that it has a limit” Clear hints that he can be intolerant and judgemental – he admits that he “feigned sleep” when people confided in him, he views Gatsby’s life with “unaffected scorn” and he’s “disgusted” by Tom and Daisy’s marriage. These comments make the reader less trusting of his narration because they suggest he is dishonest. Nick sometimes misreads situations which also makes his narration untrustworthy. He thinks Daisy has ‘everything’ she wants so he sees in her eyes the “absence of all desire” – but we later find out that she has had “a very bad time”. At the beginning Nick is very traditional, highly moral, naïve and open-minded.
Characterisation - Daisy
Think of the connotations of the name Daisy – a delicate white flower. This image is continued later in the
Chapter One
Fitzgerald uses this chapter to set the scene of the novel. Makes clear that the events in the novel have already taken place – the characters’ fates are already decided. Most of the main characters are introduced. Nick refers to “Midas and Morgan and Maecenas” – all three renowned for their incredible wealth. Midas is a Greek myth. Fitzgerald hints that MYTH and REALITY will be mixed throughout the novel.
Characterisation - Nick
Nick is initially portrayed as the perfect narrator – “inclined to reserve all judgements”. He appears as tolerant, open minded, quiet and a good listener. Others tell him their secrets – “I was privy to the secret grief”, “Most of the confidences”, “intimate revelation” Nick is clearly from a privileged background “Just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” and “My father snobbishly suggested and I snobbishly repeat” Does this hint at a COMPLEX CONTRADICTION WITHIN NICK’S CHARACTER?
There are clear contradictions apparent in Nick’s character even from the very beginning of the novel - “ And, after boasting this way of my tolerance, I came to the conclusion that it has a limit” Clear hints that he can be intolerant and judgemental – he admits that he “feigned sleep” when people confided in him, he views Gatsby’s life with “unaffected scorn” and he’s “disgusted” by Tom and Daisy’s marriage. These comments make the reader less trusting of his narration because they suggest he is dishonest. Nick sometimes misreads situations which also makes his narration untrustworthy. He thinks Daisy has ‘everything’ she wants so he sees in her eyes the “absence of all desire” – but we later find out that she has had “a very bad time”. At the beginning Nick is very traditional, highly moral, naïve and open-minded.
Characterisation - Daisy
Think of the connotations of the name Daisy – a delicate white flower. This image is continued later in the