The Great Gatsby Notes

Jordan and Daisy

Jordan on Daisy's Wedding Day

On her wedding day, Jordan recalls Daisy being drunk and crying with a letter in hand.

Analysis of a Quote

"…Gatsby was overwhelmingly aware of the youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves, of the freshness of many clothes, and of Daisy gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor…"

Wealth Imprisons

Wealth traps individuals within its pursuits, making it difficult to escape.

Daisy as the "Holy Grail"

Daisy is referenced as gleaming like silver, safe, and proud, symbolizing her status as the "Holy Grail."

Gatsby's "Hot Struggles"

Gatsby references his own life struggles. Daisy would pull him out of that.

Chapter 5

Nick felt awkward before leaving Gatsby and Daisy alone under the tree in the rain.

Chapter 2

Myrtle's party ended with Tom slapping Myrtle.

Gatsby's Parties

Gatsby throws extravagant parties to attract Daisy's attention.

Narrative Perspective

The book is written in the first person.

Location

Gatsby and Nick live in West Egg, while Tom and Daisy live in East Egg.

Narrator

The narrator of the story is Nick Carraway.

Nick's Connection to the Buchanans

Nick knows the Buchanans (Tom and Daisy) because Daisy is his cousin.

Symbols and Characters

The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg

The "eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg" are a billboard, symbolizing alliant slowing eyes Somon is always watching.

Meyer Wolfsheim

According to Gatsby, Meyer Wolfsheim is a gambler.

George Wilson and Myrtle

George Wilson locked his wife Myrtle in her room because he knew she's cheating.

Gatsby's View on Daisy and Tom

In Chapter 7, Gatsby believes that Daisy never loved Tom, which is not true.

Daisy's Transformation

After rekindling her love for Gatsby, Daisy changes from extremely careful to careless.

Evidence of Gatsby's Past

Gatsby uses a picture from college and a war medal as evidence to support his story of his past to Nick.

Final Line Analysis

"…So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
This final line suggests that will never be achieved.

Quotes and Speakers

  • "Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!" - Gatsby
  • "I'm thirty. I'm five years too old to lie to myself and call it honor." - Nick
  • "Do you always watch for the longest day of the year then miss it? I always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it." - Daisy
  • "The God Damn coward. He didn't even stop his car." - Tom

Gatsby's Past

The true story of Gatsby's past includes:

  1. Parents are poor ND farmers.
  2. Went to St. Olaf's college in MN
  3. Worked his way into college by janitor work
  4. Worked on Dan Cody's yacht to make living
  5. War veteran

American Dream

Tom's Hope

Tom's hope from seeking out additional relationships and Fitzgerald's conception of the American Dream.

Essay Prompts

Themes in The Great Gatsby

  • Money: Many people have become sadly disillusioned when money has failed to fulfill happiness.
  • Friendship: True friendship is as rare as a true work of art and is often created in the same environment.
  • Hypocrisy: Some identities are founded upon hypocrisy. (Tom, Daisy, Jordan, Gatsby?)
  • Carelessness: Carelessness can destroy.
  • Dishonesty: Some identities are founded upon facades or illusions. (Tom, Daisy, Jordan)