Studied by 3 people
Symbolism of hope- Chapter 1
green light is a symbol of Daisy’s presence
closest thing he can get to Daisy as he hasn’t seen her in years
Symbolism of the Colour White- Chapter 1
White traditionally associated with purity and virginity
the symbolism changes in the novel and comes to suggest that white is used to cover up characters’ darkest traits
Buchanan’s house “frosted wedding cake”
perhaps used to represent whitewashing to hide things people don’t want society to see
Importance of Chapter 1
sets the scene of the novel
the events have already taken place- characters’ fates are already decided
establishes myth and reality mixed throughout novel as Nick refers to ‘Midas’- a Greek myth
Chapter 1 Characterisation- Nick
Nick is initially portrayed as the perfect narrator- “inclined to reserve all judgements”
appears to be tolerant, open minded, quiet and a good listener→ “I was privy to the secret of grief”; “Most of the confidences”; “intimate revelation.
clearly from a privileged background- hints at a complex contradiction within Nick’s character “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- unreliable narrator
Chapter 1 Characterisation- Daisy
Daisy connotes a delicate white flower
this is ironic as despite the fact that white connotes innocence, Daisy’s life is conducted in an entirely manufactured environment remote from the natural world
her passivity emphasised as despite her problems in her marriage she is reluctant to leave Tom
“I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”- Daisy clearly believes that society doesn’t value intelligence in women
Setting- East Egg (old money)
conservative and aristocratic but not as refined as it appears
fashionable but fake- appealing surface hides unattractive realities- Daisy’s marriage looks and wealth both mask a bored, cynical, and empty interior
sees itself as a place of breeding, taste, aristocracy and leisure
Setting- West Egg (new money)
home to the nouveau riche who have made their own fortunes rather than inheriting money
most of the residents don’t have aristocratic breeding or wealthy family connections- Nick is an exception
extravagant displays of wealth that are perceived to be in poor taste
viewed by E. Egg as ostentatious, garish and home to the flashy
The Jazz Age
- Decade of dependence and prosperity that America enjoyed in the 1920’s.
- Modernism.
- Period of pleasure seeking and reckless exuberance.
- Tendency towards materialism and luxurious living.
- False and corrupted values.
- A font of luxury and stability.
- Growing popularity of jazz music.
- Enormous economic expansion.
- Fuelled by capitalism caused by the boom of the stock market after the WW1.
Motifs in TGG
· Geography
· Weather
· Automobiles
· The American Frontier
· The green light
Note 
Flashcard (28)