The Great Gatsby - Study Guide Notes

Nick as an unreliable narrator

  • Nick's narration is subjective and potentially biased.
  • Consider how his perceptions and judgments might color the events and characters.
  • Explore instances where Nick's reliability is questionable.

Rumors vs truth of Jay Gatsby

  • Contrast the rumors surrounding Gatsby with the revealed truths about his past and present.
  • Analyze the significance of the misinformation and the gradual unveiling of Gatsby's identity.

The green light and what it symbolizes

  • The green light's symbolism: represents Gatsby's dreams, desires, and longing for Daisy.
  • Discuss how the meaning of the green light evolves throughout the novel.

Dr. T.J. Eckleburg and symbolism

  • Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's billboard symbolizes moral decay, the loss of spiritual values in the pursuit of wealth, and the eyes of God staring down upon the wasteland of the Valley of Ashes.
  • Discuss the varying interpretations of this symbol.

Themes

  • The American Dream
    • Examine how the novel critiques the traditional American Dream.
    • Analyze Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and status as a distorted version of the dream.
  • Appearance vs. reality
    • Explore the contrast between outward appearances and inner realities of characters and situations.
    • Wealth and class:
      • Analyze the social hierarchy and the distinctions between old money (East Egg) and new money (West Egg).
      • Examine the behavior and values associated with different social classes.

Characters

  • Who's who
    • Overview of the main characters: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson.
    • Analyze their relationships, motivations, and roles in the story.

Quotes

  • Identify and analyze significant quotes from the novel.
  • Focus on quotes that reveal character, themes, or important plot points.

Party descriptions

  • Analyze the descriptions of Gatsby's parties: extravagance, superficiality, and the pursuit of pleasure.
  • Discuss how the parties symbolize the Roaring Twenties and the moral decay of the wealthy class.

Daisy and Gatsby's initial meeting at Nick's

  • Examine the circumstances and significance of Daisy and Gatsby's reunion at Nick's house.
  • Analyze their interactions and emotions during this encounter.

Gatsby's "dream" of Daisy vs. reality

  • Contrast Gatsby's idealized vision of Daisy with her actual character and behavior.
  • Discuss how his dream is ultimately unattainable.

Nick vs. Gatsby regarding repeating the past

  • Explore the differing views of Nick and Gatsby on the possibility of repeating or recreating the past.
  • Analyze Gatsby's belief that he can recapture his past with Daisy.

Daisy's voice

  • Analyze the descriptions of Daisy's voice and its allure to Gatsby.
  • Discuss how her voice embodies her charm, wealth, and superficiality.

Gatsby's parties vs. his funeral

  • Contrast the lavishness and extravagance of Gatsby's parties with the emptiness and lack of attendance at his funeral.
  • Discuss the irony and symbolism of the contrast.

Fitzgerald's message about wealthy people

  • Analyze Fitzgerald's critique of the wealthy class in the novel.
  • Discuss themes of moral decay, superficiality, and the destructive consequences of wealth.

Fitzgerald's message about escaping the past

  • Explore Fitzgerald's message about the futility of trying to escape or recreate the past.

West Egg vs. East Egg

  • Contrast the characteristics and inhabitants of West Egg (new money) and East Egg (old money).
  • Analyze the social distinctions and values associated with each location.

The Valley of Ashes

  • Describe the symbolic significance of the Valley of Ashes as a representation of moral decay and the social consequences of unchecked industrialization and greed.

The history of Gatsby and Daisy's relationship

  • Trace the history of Gatsby and Daisy's love affair.
  • Examine the factors that initially separated them and their eventual reunion.

The hotel scene

  • Analyze the dramatic confrontation that happens in the hotel room

The accident and events afterwards

  • Describe the hit-and-run accident involving Daisy and Myrtle.
  • Analyze the events that follow, including Gatsby's actions and the ultimate consequences.