Lit Great Gatsby

Global statement

Literary texts such as The Great Gatsby are relevant to society today due to the exploration of universal themes, innovative narrative techniques, and profound insights into human nature and society.

Nutshell statement

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and published in 1925, The Great Gatsby follows the first-person narrator Nick Carraway as he interacts with notorious self made millionaire Jay Gatsby and Gatsby's obsession to reunite with his past love Daisy Buchanan.

Tom being violent

"'I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai——' Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand."

Wilson and Myrtle power dynamic

"'I've got my wife locked up in there,' explained Wilson calmly. 'She's going to stay there till the day after tomorrow, and then we're going to move away'"

Physical description of Myrtle

"She was in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can. "

Daisy talking about child

"I'm glad it's a girl. And i hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."

Tom panicking about Daisy and Myrtle

"Tom was feeling the hot whips of panic. His wife and his mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his control."

Tom and Daisy

"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made"

George Wilson sick

"found George Wilson sick in his office … Michaelis advised him to go to bed, but Wilson refused, saying that he'd miss a lot of business if he did."

Nick's servant

'A Finnish woman, who made my bed and cooked breakfast'

Gatsby's servants

'And on Mondays eight servants including an extra gardener toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden-shears, repairing the ravages of the night before.'

Tom being violent (Analysis)

Tom's Violence: It shows Tom Buchanan's aggressive and controlling nature. He hits Myrtle Wilson and breaks her nose, demonstrating his willingness to use violence to maintain control.

Power and Class: Tom's action highlights the social and gender inequalities of the time. Myrtle, being a woman and of a lower social class, is particularly vulnerable to Tom's abuse. This reflects how those with power often exploit and oppress those without it.

Character Insight: The quote reveals Tom as brutish and entitled. His violent reaction to Myrtle's defiance shows his intolerance for any challenge to his authority.

Myrtle's Defiance: Myrtle's insistence on saying "Daisy" is her way of asserting some control, but Tom's violent response quickly suppresses her. This underscores the dangers faced by those who challenge the social order.

Symbolism: The incident symbolizes the larger conflicts in the novel, such as the struggle between different social classes. Tom's violence reflects how social boundaries are often enforced through brutality.

Wilson and Myrtle power dynamic (Analysis)

Desperation and Control: George Wilson locks up his wife, Myrtle, to try to regain control over his life. This shows his desperation and fear, as he feels powerless compared to wealthier characters like Tom Buchanan.

Gender Inequality: Myrtle being locked up highlights the lack of freedom for women in the novel. It shows how men exert control over women, reflecting the broader theme of women's limited agency during that time.

Foreshadowing: George’s calm explanation that Myrtle will stay locked up until they move hints at upcoming tragedy. His calmness despite the severity of his actions creates tension and foreshadows further conflict.

Character Insight: This moment reveals George as a passive, desperate figure. His calm demeanor while describing such drastic actions shows his inner turmoil and resignation to his circumstances.

Thematic Reflection: Locking up Myrtle symbolizes the broader theme of entrapment in the novel. Characters are often trapped by their circumstances and personal obsessions, and George's plan to move away represents a futile attempt to escape these traps.

Physical description of Myrtle (Analysis)

Character Insight: This likely refers to Myrtle Wilson. Her confident and sensual demeanor is important to her character, showing she knows how to use her appeal.

Themes of Appearance vs. Reality: The quote highlights that true attractiveness isn't just about fitting traditional beauty standards; it’s also about how one carries themselves.

Social Commentary: It comments on societal beauty standards, suggesting that confidence and self-presentation can be more important than physical perfection.

Narrative Style: Fitzgerald’s detailed description helps create a vivid picture of the character and their social world.

Daisy talking about child (Analysis)

Cynicism: Daisy is disillusioned with the world. She hopes her daughter will be a "fool" because she believes that being unaware and simple-minded might help her find happiness in a harsh society.

Gender Roles: The quote highlights the limited and superficial roles women were expected to play in the 1920s. Daisy suggests that beauty and foolishness are the best traits for a woman, implying that intelligence would only bring her daughter unhappiness.

Daisy’s Inner Conflict: Daisy feels trapped by her seemingly privileged life. She knows the social structure doesn’t reward intelligent and independent women, reflecting her own sense of entrapment.

Irony and Tragedy: It's ironic and tragic that Daisy hopes for her daughter to be a "fool." Daisy herself is aware of the limitations of her life, which makes her statement even more poignant.

Critique of Society: The quote criticizes the societal norms of the time, exposing the shallow and oppressive expectations placed on women.

Tom panicking about Daisy and Myrtle (Analysis)

Panic and Fear: Tom feels intense fear and anxiety, described as "the hot whips of panic."

Loss of Control: He realizes he is losing control over both his wife, Daisy, and his mistress, Myrtle, who he previously felt were securely under his influence.

Power and Possession: Tom views relationships in terms of possession and control. Losing control over Daisy and Myrtle threatens his sense of power and dominance.

Tom's Vulnerability: Despite his outward strength, Tom's panic shows his deep insecurity. His identity is tied to his control over the women in his life.

Foreshadowing: This moment hints at upcoming conflicts and drama, as Tom's loss of control sets the stage for future events in the story.

Symbolism: The shift from feeling secure to feeling out of control symbolizes the fragility of the characters' lives and relationships.

Tom and Daisy (Analysis)

Carelessness: Tom and Daisy are described as "careless people," meaning they don't consider the consequences of their actions.

Wealth and Privilege: They use their wealth to avoid facing the results of their actions, retreating into it when things go wrong.

Lack of Responsibility: Instead of fixing the messes they make, they let others clean up after them, showing they don't take responsibility for their actions.

Superficial Relationship: Their relationship is based on convenience and indifference rather than genuine love or respect.

Social Critique: The quote criticizes the moral emptiness of the wealthy elite during the Jazz Age, highlighting broader societal issues.

Narrative Insight: It helps readers understand Tom and Daisy's characters and their relationships with others.

George Wilson sick (Analysis)

Physical and Emotional Stress: George is described as very sick, pale, and shaking. He's refusing to rest despite being advised to by Michaelis, showing his determination to prioritize work over his well-being.

Financial Pressure: George's insistence on working despite his illness reflects his struggle to maintain his business and support his family, highlighting his financial difficulties.

Foreshadowing Tragedy: His refusal to rest hints at the tragic events that will unfold later in the story, indicating his eventual breakdown.

Character Insight: This quote reveals George as hardworking but also isolated and desperate, consumed by his struggles.

Themes of Isolation and Desperation: George's refusal to seek help reflects the broader themes of isolation and desperation in the novel, showing how characters like him are disconnected and overwhelmed by their circumstances.

Nick's servant (Analysis)

Cultural Context: The mention of the woman's nationality, Finnish, provides cultural context. It indicates diversity in the setting and suggests that she is a foreigner in the environment where the speaker resides.

Domestic Labor: The tasks mentioned, making the bed and cooking breakfast, are typical domestic chores. The woman's role seems to be that of a domestic worker or maid, responsible for maintaining the household.

Social Dynamics: The presence of a hired domestic worker implies a certain level of affluence or social status for the speaker or their household. It also reflects broader societal norms regarding domestic labor and the division of roles within households.

Character Interaction: Depending on the context in which this quote appears, it may reveal something about the relationship between the speaker and the Finnish woman. For example, it could indicate familiarity or intimacy if the speaker knows the woman well, or it could denote formality if the interaction is purely transactional.

Narrative Function: In the context of a larger narrative, this quote may serve to provide background detail, set the scene, or characterize the environment or the speaker's lifestyle.

Gatsby's servants (Analysis)

Wealth and Luxury: The mention of eight servants, including an additional gardener, highlights the wealth and privilege of the household. It suggests a large estate with extensive grounds that require significant upkeep.

Extravagant Lifestyle: The fact that the servants work all day on Mondays to repair the "ravages" of the night before implies a lifestyle of excess and indulgence. It suggests that the household hosts lavish parties or events that leave behind considerable messes.

Social Status: Having such a large number of servants indicates high social status and possibly a desire to impress or maintain appearances within a wealthy social circle.

Hard Work and Servitude: The labor-intensive tasks mentioned—mopping, scrubbing, repairing—underscore the servants' hard work and the unequal distribution of labor within the household. It highlights the disparity between the privileged lifestyle of the homeowners and the labor required to maintain it.

Narrative Context: This quote paints a picture of the household's routine and the scale of their activities, providing context for the broader narrative and possibly foreshadowing future events or themes related to wealth and privilege.