The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby

Chapter Notes:Chapter Notes:

Ch. 1-2-3Ch. 1-2-3

►Fitzgerald designed chapters Fitzgerald designed chapters one, two, and three for two one, two, and three for two purposes:purposes:

to introduce us to the characters of to introduce us to the characters of the novelthe novel

to paint a vivid portrait of the world to paint a vivid portrait of the world in which the novel takes placein which the novel takes place

►Ch. 1 establishes Nick as our Ch. 1 establishes Nick as our narrator. There are three narrator. There are three interpretations of Nick as a interpretations of Nick as a character/narrator:character/narrator:

1. 1. Nick views himself as an objective Nick views himself as an objective reporter who “reserves judgment” reporter who “reserves judgment” and merely retells the extraordinary and merely retells the extraordinary events of the summer of 1922 events of the summer of 1922 (evidenced by first paragraph of Ch. (evidenced by first paragraph of Ch. 1 and Ch. 3 “I’m one of the few 1 and Ch. 3 “I’m one of the few honest people…”.honest people…”.

2. 2. Some critics say Nick is too Some critics say Nick is too involved to be objective- the first involved to be objective- the first three chapters have him making three chapters have him making numerous judgments of the people numerous judgments of the people he meets in the East; in addition, he meets in the East; in addition, Nick Nick participatesparticipates in the drunken in the drunken debauchery of the world he claims to debauchery of the world he claims to despise in the opening pages. Also, despise in the opening pages. Also, he fails in reserving judgment of he fails in reserving judgment of Gatsby who he adores from their Gatsby who he adores from their first meeting.first meeting.

3. 3. Some critics say Nick is too Some critics say Nick is too inactive- Nick has been called a inactive- Nick has been called a waste of a character, one who sees waste of a character, one who sees the immorality around him (Tom the immorality around him (Tom and Daisy’s fake marriage, Tom and Daisy’s fake marriage, Tom and Myrtle’s affair, Gatsby’s and Myrtle’s affair, Gatsby’s lifestyle, Jordan’s cheating at golf) lifestyle, Jordan’s cheating at golf) and does nothing to stop it.and does nothing to stop it.

We begin to see that this novel is We begin to see that this novel is essentially about essentially about Nick’s journey Nick’s journey into adulthood and his initiation into adulthood and his initiation into a corrupt worldinto a corrupt world. He is the . He is the character that we are to look to character that we are to look to for change and self-realization.for change and self-realization.

►We learn from these chapters that We learn from these chapters that this is also a novel of comparisons. this is also a novel of comparisons. In the first three chapters, we are In the first three chapters, we are

faced with many comparisons, most faced with many comparisons, most notably is the fact that each of these notably is the fact that each of these early chapters centers on a different early chapters centers on a different type of party. In addition, we see type of party. In addition, we see comparisons between:comparisons between:

ComparisonsComparisons1.1. East Egg and West Egg and the East Egg and West Egg and the

Valley of AshesValley of Ashes

2.2. the West and the Eastthe West and the East

3.3. Daisy and MyrtleDaisy and Myrtle

4.4. Catherine and JordanCatherine and Jordan

5.5. Tom and WilsonTom and Wilson

6.6. Eckleburg and NickEckleburg and Nick

7.7. Gatsby and how others view himGatsby and how others view him

►Also, it is a novel of symbols. The Also, it is a novel of symbols. The first three chapters introduce us to first three chapters introduce us to the the green lightgreen light and and Eckleburg’s Eckleburg’s eyeseyes. Both have important . Both have important significance later in the novel.significance later in the novel.

►Finally, these first chapters Finally, these first chapters establish Gatsby as a mythical establish Gatsby as a mythical figure.figure.

In chapter one, Gatsby is seen as a In chapter one, Gatsby is seen as a shadowy figure looking toward a shadowy figure looking toward a distant dock. distant dock.

In chapter two, he is mentioned In chapter two, he is mentioned briefly as the nephew of a German briefly as the nephew of a German Kaiser.Kaiser.

In chapter three, he is a mysterious In chapter three, he is a mysterious enigma who doesn’t drink, keeps his enigma who doesn’t drink, keeps his distance, and is the victim of distance, and is the victim of countless rumors. However, the countless rumors. However, the rumors paint Gatsby as a paradox.rumors paint Gatsby as a paradox.

►Consider what is said about Gatsby at Consider what is said about Gatsby at his party and how the information his party and how the information conflicts with itself. All of this helps conflicts with itself. All of this helps establish Gatsby as a legend, which as establish Gatsby as a legend, which as we will see is precisely what Fitzgerald we will see is precisely what Fitzgerald (and Gatsby in the novel) wanted to (and Gatsby in the novel) wanted to do.do.

ParadoxParadox

He killed a manHe killed a man He’s a German spyHe’s a German spy He’s the cousin or nephew of Kaiser He’s the cousin or nephew of Kaiser

WilhelmWilhelm American soldierAmerican soldier Oxford man – “old sport”Oxford man – “old sport” ‘‘elegant,’ ‘young,’ ‘elaborate formality of elegant,’ ‘young,’ ‘elaborate formality of

speech’speech’ ‘‘rough-neck,’ ‘absurd’rough-neck,’ ‘absurd’

Later in our discussion of the novel, we Later in our discussion of the novel, we will discuss another major comparison- will discuss another major comparison- AppearanceAppearance versus versus Reality Reality (hint: (hint: Gatsby’s use of “old sport” will come Gatsby’s use of “old sport” will come into play here. into play here.

Consider Owl Eyes as a symbolic Consider Owl Eyes as a symbolic character and his reference to Gatsby’s character and his reference to Gatsby’s books as “being real” as important. books as “being real” as important.

►Consider the incredible trouble he Consider the incredible trouble he goes through for his parties and how goes through for his parties and how nobody cares to know about the real nobody cares to know about the real Gatsby.Gatsby.

Blue gardensBlue gardens Beaches, motorboats, hydroplanesBeaches, motorboats, hydroplanes Rolls Royce delivers guestsRolls Royce delivers guests Crates of fruitsCrates of fruits Mountains of food and open barsMountains of food and open bars OrchestraOrchestra

Thematic Focus: American Thematic Focus: American DreamDream

►Consider the attitudes of the people at Consider the attitudes of the people at the party and how it reflects on the party and how it reflects on the the corruption of the American Dreamcorruption of the American Dream.. ““introductions forgotten on the spot” (p. introductions forgotten on the spot” (p.

44)44) ““women who never knew each others women who never knew each others

names” (p. 44)names” (p. 44) ““one of the few guest invited” (p. 45)one of the few guest invited” (p. 45) ““I never care what I do…” (p. 47)I never care what I do…” (p. 47) Men and women fighting; car accidentsMen and women fighting; car accidents