The Great Gatsby Study Notes

Key Characters and Their Relationships

  • Nick Carraway
    • Origin: Midwest
    • Lives: West Egg, New York
    • Works: Finance
    • Relation to Daisy: Distant cousin
  • Jay Gatsby
    • Resides next to Nick’s bungalow
    • Stares at a green light across the water
  • Tom Buchanan
    • College: Yale
    • Key Traits: Racist and conservative
    • Infidelity: Cheating on Daisy
  • Daisy Buchanan
    • Known through Nick
    • Relationship with Gatsby: Intimate

Key Settings

  • West Egg: Affluent village where Nick and Gatsby live.
  • The Valley of Ashes: A desolate area symbolizing moral decay.
  • Tom's Garage: Owned by George Wilson, who is a mechanic.
  • Gatsby’s Mansion: Known for holding extravagant parties.

Major Themes and Symbols

  • The Green Light
    • Symbolizes Gatsby's hope and dreams for the future.
  • The Eye of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg
    • Represents the moral oversight watching over the characters’ actions.
  • Gatsby's Parties
    • Described as formal and extravagant
    • Guests often behave frivolously, as if at an amusement park.
  • Clocks
    • Symbolizes Gatsby’s desire to stop time and change the past.
  • Shirts
    • Represents wealth and the transformation of Gatsby’s identity.

Events and Plot Points

  • Initial Reunion of Gatsby and Daisy (Chapter 5)
    • Gatsby’s preparations include cutting grass and hiring caterers.
    • He wears an opulent white flannel suit to impress Daisy.
    • Key moment: Daisy affectionately calling Gatsby 'Jay', indicating intimacy.
    • Gatsby’s emotional shift: Anxious to comfortable while with Daisy.
  • Conflict between Tom and Gatsby culminating in violence.
    • Tom’s derogatory remarks about Gatsby’s guests reveal his disdain for the nouveau riche.
    • Myrtle's physical harm at the hands of Tom symbolizes broader themes of power and control.

Notable Quotes & Moments

  • Gatsby expresses a sense of being lost without his ambition after reuniting with Daisy.
  • Nick’s revelation: "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." — reflects Nick's admiration for Gatsby compared to other affluent characters.
  • Imagery of the House: At the start of Chapter 8, Gatsby's house is referred to as enormous, dusty, musty, reflecting his lost grandeur.

Key Questions from Chapters 1-6

  1. Where is Nick Carraway from? Answer: Midwestern
  2. What is Nick Carraway’s job? Answer: Finance
  3. How does Tom feel about the guests at Gatsby's parties? Answer: Ridicules them as "just big muckety mucks"
  4. What happens to Myrtle at the end of her day with Tom? Answer: Tom breaks her nose.
  5. Who does Gatsby introduce himself to Nick? Answer: Nonchalantly states he is Gatsby.
  6. How are Gatsby's cars described? Answer: Large, cream-colored, luxurious.

Reflections on Characters

  • Gatsby is characterized by his ambition and vision but also by his vulnerability and eventual downfall.
  • Tom Buchanan is depicted as dominant and oppressive, showcasing toxic masculinity throughout his encounters with other characters.
  • Daisy represents the American Dream's allure yet illustrates its emptiness through her indecision and eventual choices.