gatsby 1-3 notes

Nick Carraway (Narrator):

• From Minnesota, morally privileged, and nonjudgmental, Nick moves to New York in the summer of 1922 to work in the bond business. He rents a house in West Egg, near the mysterious Gatsby.

• He reflects on his moral struggles, particularly when it comes to Gatsby, whom he can't help but be drawn to despite Gatsby embodying many qualities Nick dislikes.

Setting & Social Divides:

• West Egg: Home to "new money," like Nick and Gatsby, flaunting wealth but lacking aristocratic sophistication.

• East Egg: Home to old money, epitomized by Tom and Daisy Buchanan, representing tradition and social elitism.

The Buchanans and Their Marriage:

• Tom is wealthy, arrogant, and openly carries on an affair. Daisy, his wife, is cynical and dissatisfied with her life, expressing hopes that her daughter will be a "beautiful little fool."

• Tom's affair with Myrtle Wilson, a woman from the Valley of Ashes, reveals the moral decay beneath the glamour of East Egg.

Gatsby’s Mystery:

• Gatsby is introduced as an enigmatic figure, seen reaching out toward a green light across the water, symbolizing his unattainable desires. His lavish parties are the talk of the town, but no one knows the truth about him.

The Valley of Ashes:

• A desolate wasteland between West Egg and New York, representing the moral decay beneath the wealth of the Eggs. The symbol of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's eyes on a billboard serves as an unsettling reminder of the loss of spiritual and moral values.

Tom’s Affair with Myrtle:

• Tom takes Nick to the Valley of Ashes, where he meets Myrtle and her husband, George Wilson. Tom's relationship with Myrtle is volatile, ending in a violent outburst when Myrtle mentions Daisy’s name.

Gatsby’s Party:

• Nick attends one of Gatsby’s famous parties, filled with excess, revelry, and rumors. Gatsby, however, remains distant from the chaos, observing the spectacle from afar. He is a figure of mystery, and his life is seen as an elaborate performance, full of contradictions.

Themes:

• The Illusion of Wealth: East Egg represents inherited wealth and refinement, while West Egg is driven by new money and flashiness. Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle contrasts with the superficiality of the Buchanans.

• Moral Decay: The Valley of Ashes symbolizes the underbelly of capitalist success, where moral decay and poverty are hidden beneath the glamour of the wealthy elite.

• Gatsby's Yearning: Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy and his desire to recapture an idealized past drives his life, symbolized by the green light he reaches for but can never attain.

• Social Class and Identity: Nick’s growing discomfort with his attraction to Jordan and his immersion in the dishonest world around him reflect the tension between his Midwestern values and the moral ambiguity of East Coast society.