Major Works Data Sheet
Name__________________________
Period:______ Date:____________
The numbers in parenthesis represent the point values for each requirement.
Title of Work: The Great Gatsby
Characteristics of the genre
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Modernist novel
Modernist literature is best characterized as a realistic reflection of
society that many times sheds light onto corruption in government or
problems of the materialistic world. It often times deals with loss and
despair, violence and alienation, change, sense of place and/or color, or
decadence and decay.
Historical Information about the period of publication:
Biographical information about the author
Fitzgerald's era was dubbed "The Jazz Age"
The Great Gatsby is based on Fitzgerald's own comparisons between his
lavish 1920s lifestyle and the character's of the book.
The Harlem Renaissance brings strongly dance-able music: Jazz.
Prohibition limits the sale of alcohol.
Women are granted the right to vote.
Talking movies are invented.
Flapper dresses, short skirts, and more liberal fashions arise.
Major magazines like Time and Reader's Digest founded.
A woman swims the English channel.
Baseball becomes popular with rising stars like Babe Ruth.
First Academy awards are hosted.
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born Sep 24, 1896.
He was named after his ancestor Francis Scott Key, who wrote the
famous composition "The Star Spangled Banner"
Although Fitzgerald was a smart child, he did badly in school and was
sent to a New Jersey boarding school where he maintained his poor
academic record.
Nevertheless, he went to Princeton in 1913 where his academics and lack
of motivation later lead him to enroll in the army for WWI.
During one of his stations in Alabama, he fell in love with Zelda Sayre.
Seventeen year old Sayre had an overwhelming desire for wealth, fun
and leisure and correspondingly delayed their
wedding until Fitzgerald heightened his economic accomplishments.
After proving himself with the enormous success of his publication This
Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald and Sayre got married in New York.
Date of Publication: 1925
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/context.html
http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/1920timeline.htm
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/context.html
Plot summary:
Chapter 1- Nick Carraway moved to the West Egg district of Long Island from Minnesota in the summer of 1922 to work in the bond business. Nick
lives next door to a mysterious man names Jay Gatsby who throws exciting parties that everyone seems to know about. Nick graduated from Yale.
One night he drives to East Egg to have dinner with his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom. While he is there he also meets a golfer names Jordan
Baker. In this chapter we find out that Tom has a different lover in New York.
Chapter 2- On day Tom and Nick are going into the city but Tom makes them stop in a gray valley where New York’s ashes are dropped. There are
the unblinking eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. This is where Toms lover Myrtle lives. Tom takes them to a party in New York and Nick claims that
this was only the second time that he has ever been drunk. Also, Tom hits Myrtle in the face because she kept saying Daisy’s name and they were
really drunk.
Chapter 3- Gatsby sends Nick an invitation to his party and this is the first time Nick really seeks Gatsby. Nobody knows where Gatsby’s money
comes from but they don’t ask. They know he is an Oxford man but that is about it. Nick also talks to Jordan in this chapter.
Chapter 4- Nick goes out to lunch with Gastby and is introduced to Meyer Wolfsheim. This is when Nick begins to realize that Gatsby’s wealth may
be against the law. On the way to lunch Gatsby gets pulled by a cop but the cop apologizes after Gatsby shows him a mysterious white card. Later
Jordan tells Nick that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and wants Nick to arrange a reunion for Gatsby and Daisy at Nick’s house. They used to be in love
five years ago but when Gatsby went to war Daisy settled with Tom.
Chapter 5: Gatsby offers to take Nick to Coney Island, invites him over for a swim, and offers to have somebody cut his grass with hopes that Nick
will agree to have Daisy and Gatsby over to his house for tea. On the day of the meeting, it is raining outside and at first the reunion between Gatsby
and Daisy is very awkward, but Nick soon returns to find the two having a wonderful time.
Chapter 6: Nick informs us Gatsby’s history, and we learn that Gatsby was born as James Gatz in North Dakota and attended St. Olaf’s College in
Minnesota before dropping out after two weeks due to his dislike of the janitorial work that he was forced to do to pay his tuition. James Gatz became
Jay Gatsby when Dan Cody gave him the name and Gatsby served as Cody’s personal assistant onboard Cody’s yacht. While serving at Cody’s
personal assistant, Gatsby persuaded himself not to become a heavy drinker of alcohol and fell in love with wealth and luxury.
One night, Daisy and Tom attend one of Gatsby’s parties, and Gatsby is very upset because he knows that Daisy did not have a good time. Gatsby
thinks about the life that he and Daisy had before he left for the war.
Chapter 7: At Tom and Daisy’s house, Nick, Gatsby, and Jordan gather for lunch. Gatsby and Daisy cannot seem to hide their love for each other, and
Tom becomes very aware of their feelings for each other. They all decide to go to New York together, and Daisy and Gatsby ride in Tom’s car while
Nick, Jordan, and Tom ride in Gatsby’s car. Tom accuses Gatsby of lying about Oxford and being a bootlegger. On their way back to their home,
Nick, Tom, and Jordan discover that someone had been hit and killed by a car; that someone is Myrtle. Tom assumes that Gatsby was driving the car,
but Daisy was driving.
Chapter 8: Nick goes over to Gatsby’s mansion where he learns that Gatsby stayed at Daisy’s until 4 o’clock in the morning and that nothing
happened. Nick tells Gatsby to forget about Daisy and to consider leaving Long Island. Gatsby’s gardener asks to drain the pool, but Gatsby denies his
request saying that he has never been in his pool and would like to do so. Nick tries to work, but finds himself constantly distracted. Wilson stays up
all night talking about Myrtle and looks for Tom because he knows that Tom is the owner of the car that killed Myrtle. Wilson goes to Gatsby’s house
and finds Gatsby floating in the pool. He shoots Gatsby, killing him, and then kills himself. Nick then returns home from work and finds Gatsby
floating dead in his pool.
Chapter 9: Nick describes the scene around Gatsby’s mansion immediately after he died as very busy with lots and reporters and journalists. Even after
Gatsby had died, the rumors about Gatsby continued to spread. Despite Nick’s original plan to hold a large funeral for Gatsby, only a few people
showed up for his funeral - Nick, Owl Eyes, some servants, and Gatsby’s father, Henry C. Gatz. Nick decided to move back to the Midwest and end
his relationship with Jordan.
Describe the author’s style:
Give an example that demonstrates this style, and explain how it does
so:
Fitzgerald maintains a simple tone throughout the novel. Nick reflecting
on everything he sees with the use of flashbacks. These flashbacks are
key in describing the plot. Fitzgerald also uses complexity of details
through imagery. Nick also uses imagery when he describes certain
situations throughout the novel.
"And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of
Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of
Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream
must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did
not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast
obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled
on under the night. And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown
world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green
light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue
lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly
fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him,
somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark
fields of the republic rolled on under the night."
Memorable Quotations
Quotation (and speaker)
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly
into the past” - Nick
Significance:
This quote shows that no matter what happens, we have to get through
it. It refers to Myrtle and Gatsby’s and it shows that no matter how hard
it gets, we will push on even if forces are going against us.
2.
“It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the
gardener saw Gatsby’s body a little way off in the grass, and the
holocaust was complete.”- Nick
This quote is important because it shows how devastating Myrtle,
Wilson and Gatsby’s deaths were to everyone around them. People’s
lives changed because of these events.
3.
“You can’t repeat the past.” “You can’t repeat the past?”... “Why of
course you can!” -(Nick, Gatsby)
This quote is significant because it shows that Gatsby wants to live in
the past. He believes he can recreate it and live it once more. Also it
shows that he is obsessed with Daisy and he will do anything to
recreate what they had when they were together.
4.
“You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of
your dock.”- Gatsby
This shows how Gatsby thought of Daisy. He was obsessed with here
and shows it in the quote to her. He shows her that he thinks of her and
he watches over her.
5.
“They’re a rotten crowd. You’re worth the whole damn bunch put
together.” –Nick (154)
This quote really shows how Nick views the American upper-class. He
admires Gatsby's love and determination to obtain Daisy. Nick admires
this because it goes against how shallow the wealthy, such as Tom and
Daisy, are. He likes how
Gatsby is more interested in love than throwing parties and money.
This quote is important because it introduces the narrator, Nick, and it
automatically presents a theme of wealth and the American dream.
1.
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me
some advice…’whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just
remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the
advantages that you’ve had.”
7. “…I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best
thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool…and I know. I‘ve
been everywhere and seen everything and done everything.” (17)
6.
8. “…he was content to be alone- he stretched out his arms toward the
dark water and…I could’ve sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I
glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green
light…” (21)
9. “Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues and
this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.”
(59)
10. “He wants to know if you’ll invite Daisy to your house some
afternoon and then let him come over.” (78)
This quote provides valuable insight on Daisy, and it reveals that Daisy
wishes she didn’t know a lot of the things going on in the world. It also
shows how superficial she is by hoping her daughter is beautiful, and it
also shows that intelligence is not valued in their society.
This quote is when Gatsby is first introduced, after being elusive
throughout the beginning of the book. He is depicted as reaching out to
the green light, which is at the end of Daisy’s dock. It symbolizes
how much Gatsby longs for Daisy and how high his hopes are for their
future together.
This quote shows how deceitful and untrustworthy and un-honest
everyone in the novel is. By saying this, it reveals how honesty and
truth isn’t really valued in society.
Jordan says this to Nick, after telling him that Gatsby had bought his
house just to be close to Daisy. This shows how nervous he is about
seeing her and how much he likes Daisy. It also shows how
inconsiderate the wealthy could be; Gatsby imposed upon Nick just so
he could see Daisy when he “comes over.”
Character’s name:
Role (what role does this person have
in the story?)
Significance (why is this character
significant to the story?)
Character traits (what sort of person
is this?)
1.
Nick Carraway
narrator; his thoughts and perceptions
shape and color the story
he revives the love that his cousin
Daisy and Gatsby have for each
other
truthful, open-minded, tolerant, a
good listener
2.
Daisy Buchanan
Tom Buchanan’s wife, Nick
Carraway’s cousin, Jay Gatsby’s
lover
she is Gatsby’s dream and his main
motivation to achieve such great
wealth through criminal activity
Materialistic, aloof
3.
Jordan Baker
she and Nick have an affair
she is known for her appearance and
is static throughout the novel
self-centered, arrogant, dishonest,
and a golfer
4.
George Wilson
Myrtle Wilson’s husband and the
owner of the run-down auto shop
he’s faithful to his wife; kills Gatsby
caring, hard-working, vengeful
5.
Klipspringer
he lives at Gatsby’s mansion and
takes complete advantage of his
wealth
Klipspringer doesn’t care about
Gatsby even after his death
heartless, shallow, self-centered
6.
Jay Gatsby
protagonist
he is in love with daisy, which is
why he devoted his life to being
wealthy.
mysterious, fantastically wealthy
young man. Every Saturday, his
garish Gothic mansion in West Egg
serves as the site of extravagant
parties.
7.
Tom Buchanan
Daisy’s husband
he cheats on daisy, but when finding
out she was committing infidelity he
has no reason to continue on an
affair with another woman.
A brutal, hulking man, very wealthy,
a hypocrite
8.
Myrtle Wilson
Tom's mistress
she is married to the man who fixes
toms car, but while fixing his car she
is cheating on her husband with this
man; only to improve her way of life
An earthy, vital, and voluptuous
woman, Myrtle is desperate to
improve her life.
9.
Owl eyes
drunk with insight
nick meets him in the library at one
of Gatsby's parties.
eccentric, bespectacled man
friend of Gatsby, major figure in
organized crime
Helped Gatsby to attain his wealth
Corrupt, shady
10. Meyer Wolfsheim
Describe the setting(s) and the mood the setting(s) create:
What is the significance of the opening scene?
The setting of The Great Gatsby was the summer of 1922 in Long
Island and New York City. Long Island is broken down into West Egg
and East Egg and the plot shifts mainly between those two points. The
two were separated by old money and new money and in between was
the valley of ash which was colorless and dull.
Tom and Daisy's house
The garage owned by Wilson where Myrtle lived in the valley of ashes
Gatsby's house
Nick's house
The hotel room
The apartment of Myrtle and Tom
The significance of the opening scene is the introduction of the narrator
Nick Caraway. He moves to an unfamiliar place surrounded by no one he
knows and he becomes intrigued with the man that lives across the street
from him who he hears but rarely sees. Also, when Nick goes to the
Buchanan’s and one side of societies three faces is revealed.
Major symbols, motifs, images:
What is the significance of the ending/closing scene?
The color green symbolizes envy. Gatsby often stares into a green light
across the lake which symbolizes the envy he feels when he cannot
have Daisy. The color green also signifies Gatsby's motivation to get
Daisy back. He often stared into the green light that was telling him to
go for it and pursue Daisy.
The closing scene is when Nick walks by Tom and they shake hands
rather nonchalantly and continue on their way and it just shows how
uninvolved and how dethatched everyone is. It shows that in society it is
every man for himself and the only important thing is that they always
have money to cover up their mistakes. Also, it shows how Nick is
basically just a bystander throughout the whole book and has no affect on
anything.
Colors played a major role in telling the mode of the situation and the
social class of characters. Whenever there is a party among the wealthy,
there are bright colors such as red, orange, or yellow. Gatsby's house is
described in extravagant colors signifying his wealth. But in the Valley
of the Ashes there is little to no color; everything is dark there. Myrtle
and her husband live there and they are poor.
The valley of the Ashes stands for the poor and despair. It is what they
passed through to get to the big city. This is also where Daisy ran over
Myrtle.
Alcohol drove the plot as well. Everytime the characters are under the
influence of alcohol the plot quickened and details became hazy. Tom
always had a temper when he drank which caused him to break
Myrtle's nose and confront Gatsby.
The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg can be found throughout the book.
The eyes are painted on an old building in the valley of the Ashes. They
symbolize a higher power watching the lives of the Americans. The
eyes watched Tom cheat on his wife with Myrtle. They also saw Myrtle
get hit by a car that was driven by Daisy. The eyes are always
watching.
Themes:
Compassion and Forgiveness: Gatsby is able to forgive Daisy’s marriage to another man. Daisy is willing to forgive Tom for cheating but
doesn’t forgive Gatsby for deceiving her about what kind of person he is. Tom is married to Daisy and still has compassion for another
woman. This theme is shown throughout the book by multiple characters expressing their love toward one another.
The Pursuit of the American Dream: This is another theme expressed throughout the book. It is shown throughout the novel that the
American dream can never really be fulfilled but just in very rare cases. Many of the characters are wealthy but are never truly satisfied
with their lives. The novel shows how the American dream is very hard to fulfill and even impossible to accomplish sometimes.
Gender Roles: Men work to earn money for the maintenance of the women in this novel. Men are for the most part dominant over women
in that most of them are stronger and take advantage of women. Tom takes advantage of Daisy when cheating on her with another woman.
Social Status: Societies of East and West Egg are divided by the difference between the wealthy and poorer families. Gatsby is aware of this
existence of a class structure in America and tries desperately to make a fake status by even claiming to have attended Oxford. This was all
for an attempt to justify his position in society.
Appearance vs. Reality: Gatsby is a completely unrealistic man and he even believes at times he can change the past but realizes he can’t
when seeing Daisy’s child. Most characters in this novel seemed to have a perfect outside appearance but in reality they were not put
together well. This says to the audience that money doesn’t make a person happy.
Possible Topics/Questions for Discussion:
How does the title relate to the story?
What does the eye symbolize?
How does Gatsby represent the American Dream?
Which characters are most developed?
What is the difference between West Egg and East Egg?
Do the characters change throughout the book? If so, how?