Untitled Flashcards Set

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).