The Great Gatsby Study Guide
1. Key Themes:
The American Dream: The novel critiques the idea that wealth and success lead to happiness. Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy represents a corrupted version of the American Dream.
Social Class & Wealth: The distinction between "old money" (Tom, Daisy) and "new money" (Gatsby) highlights societal divisions.
Love & Obsession: Gatsby’s love for Daisy is idealized and obsessive, showing how the past cannot be recreated.
Moral Decay & Materialism: The characters’ actions reflect a loss of values, emphasizing greed and selfishness.
Illusion vs. Reality: Gatsby’s persona is built on lies, illustrating how people deceive themselves and others.
2. Main Characters:
Jay Gatsby: A wealthy but mysterious man obsessed with winning back Daisy Buchanan. Represents the corrupt American Dream.
Nick Carraway: The novel’s narrator, who observes the moral decay of the wealthy.
Daisy Buchanan: Gatsby’s former lover, now married to Tom. She is beautiful but shallow and represents unattainable dreams.
Tom Buchanan: Daisy’s husband, a wealthy and arrogant man who is unfaithful and racist.
Jordan Baker: A professional golfer and Nick’s love interest, known for being dishonest.
Myrtle Wilson: Tom’s mistress, who seeks wealth and status but meets a tragic end.
George Wilson: Myrtle’s husband, who owns a garage and represents the working class.
3. Important Symbols:
The Green Light: Represents Gatsby’s hope and dreams, especially for Daisy.
The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg: A billboard that symbolizes moral decay and God’s judgment.
The Valley of Ashes: A bleak industrial area symbolizing the moral and social decay of society.
Gatsby’s Mansion & Parties: Represent excess and the illusion of happiness.
4. Key Quotes & Analysis:
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (Final Line) - Reflects the theme of striving for an unattainable dream.
“Can’t repeat the past?… Why of course you can!” (Gatsby) - Shows Gatsby’s delusion and the theme of illusion vs. reality.
“I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Daisy) - Highlights gender roles and Daisy’s awareness of society’s expectations.
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money.” (Nick) - Criticizes the irresponsibility of the wealthy elite.
5. Plot Summary:
Chapter 1: Nick moves to West Egg, meets Gatsby, and visits Tom & Daisy.
Chapter 2: Tom’s affair with Myrtle is revealed.
Chapter 3: Gatsby throws lavish parties; Nick finally meets him.
Chapter 4: Gatsby reveals his love for Daisy.
Chapter 5: Gatsby reunites with Daisy at Nick’s house.
Chapter 6: Gatsby’s past is explored; Tom grows suspicious.
Chapter 7: The climax—Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom argue, Myrtle is killed.
Chapter 8: Gatsby is shot by George Wilson.
Chapter 9: Nick reflects on Gatsby’s life; the funeral is lonely.
6. AP Lang Analysis Tips:
Focus on Fitzgerald’s use of imagery, symbolism, and diction.
Discuss how narrative perspective (Nick as an unreliable narrator) shapes the story.
Analyze Fitzgerald’s critique of the American Dream through Gatsby’s downfall.
Be ready to identify and analyze literary devices (metaphors, irony, foreshadowing).