THE GREAT GATSBYF. Scott Fitzgerald

Ch 1 Notes

DIRECTIONS: In a different color from your original answers, add anything that was NOT included in the information YOU and your GROUP gathered. Highlight or underline parts of your original answers that are repeated here.

NICK (NARRATOR) He is a listener and says he is not quick to voice judgments. Highly

educated and tends to be philosophical. As the narrator, he shapes and controls the reader's attitude toward the characters and plot/events. (You MUST keep this in mind as you read) This is the author's manipulation of the reader...shaping what you think.

These characteristics affect his status as a narrator because he is both an observer and a participant in the story.

It's Nick's story about Gatsby = allows him not only to tell the story (in flashback), but to interpret it and make comments on the characters, themes, and actions.

ORThe novel is a story about how Gatsby impacted the life of a naive young man from the Midwest. (Nick)

NICK'S MORALS

He wants Daisy to be more maternal, more like a wife and mother.

He isn't surprised by Tom's infidelity, but IS surprised by the fact that Tom was depressed by a book.

He concludes that Tom is nibbling "at the edge of stale ideas" because "his physical egotism" is not enough anymore.

DAISY (NICK'S COUSIN) ethereal, floating white dresses, relaxed bored

expression

Has a "low thrilling voice"

"there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget“

"[her voice suggested] that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour"

When Tom abruptly interrupts Daisy, she tries to play it off and hides her feelings about being trapped in the marriage behind an "I don't care" attitude.

However, her tone is sarcastic, and possibly sad, when Daisy says "Tom's getting very profound" Just before this, she said "That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great big hulking physical specimen..."

Later in regard to Tom's comment on the "colored races," she says sarcastically, "We've got to beat them down," while "...winking ferociously toward the fervent sun."

Daisy says that she has it terribly and that she’s extremely sophisticated (and anyone who has to SAY that is probably NOT actually so).

Nick’s comment after this is that her statements are insincere, revealing that she is a fairly superficial person which is proven later when she says she’s going to arrange a marriage later between Nick and Jordan who have just met.

Daisy is something of a phony, but she is genuinely disturbed about Tom's adultery with the woman in the city.

Even while she makes fun of his intellectual abilities, she does share some bond with him. Nick says they have a "membership in a rather distinguished secret society" (that is, the highest class in American society; the American aristocracy which has a very EXCLUSIVE membership.)

TOM (WENT TO YALE WITH NICK; MARRIED TO DAISY) Tom is big and powerful (former football player,

muscular, leans forward aggressively, penetrating stare) = intimidating

Nick’s description includes a comment about how “he was a sturdy, straw haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner” with “two shining, arrogant eyes” that had established “dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward” and later says his “body is capable of enormous leverage—a cruel body”

This seems to show that Nick is both disgusted and intimidated by Tom.

Tom has shown himself to be fairly limited intellectually and extremely rich...puts on heirs over Nick and makes ridiculous racist comments.

Tom's comments come directly from white supremacist literature (he himself mentions that it comes from a book).

He makes it seem like an argument by shouting these theories but providing no support. = he parrots information that he's heard but doesn't have the intellect to argue the points effectively.

Relies on his muscle to "make his point"

JORDAN BAKER (A PROFESSIONAL GOLFER; SIMILAR IN ATTITUDE AND STYLE TO DAISY) Nick has heard something critical and

unpleasant about her but can't remember what it is.

She is a terrible eavesdropper who will listen in on personal conversation between her best friend and husband.

THE SETTING: WEST EGG (less fashionable side = nouveau riche =

those that live there have worked for their money)

Nick's place: tiny, small yard; flimsy structure; ramshackle, an "eye sore“ but "overlooked." means people don't notice it (or him) allowing

him to see events/actions that otherwise wouldn't be seen. (makes him good for us!!!)

Being so close to Gatsby allows him see the goings-on.

Gatsby's place is a huge "imitation." Has a tower, elaborate swimming pool; surrounded by an enormous lawn and garden.

It is Norman in construction = ornate, fanciful; characterized by towers and "gingerbread;" like fairytales and dreams; think ostentatious!

Tells readers that Gatsby is a dreamer (remember Nick says that Gatsby had some

heightened sensitivity to the promises of life...an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness..." = he is idealistic and vulnerable. **Remember Nick says that something "preyed on" him)

THE SETTING: EAST EGG (more fashionable; residents are from

"old money" = they inherited their wealth)

The Buchanan's place is a cheerful looking mansion; surrounded by brilliant gardens; a huge lawn. It is Georgian in structure = solid stately, dignified, balanced (w/ pillars)

Tells readers that the Buchanan's appear wealthy and cultured externally.

SYMBOLS: THE GREEN LIGHT When Nick notices Gatsby at the end of

his dock, something about him keeps Nick from approaching.

Then, Nick sees that Gatsby “stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling.”

Nick looks out and only sees a green light far in the distance, but clearly it means something significant to Gatsby.