The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

Author Background Francis Scott Fitzgerald born September 24, 1896 Member of the Princeton Class of 1917 Joined the Army-stationed in Montgomery Alabama where he met Zelda Sayre Refused to marry him until he could publish This Side of Paradise Published 3/26/1920, week later the couple married Part of the literary party scene with Ernest Hemmingway playwright Gertrude Stein

Author Background Cont. Known as an alcoholic, led to slow writing speed Critics called him an irresponsible writer. Main themes focused on aspirations and the American Dream and domesticity Great Gatsby put him on the literary map Wrote it in France- Zelda had affair Zelda began dancing led to her mental breakdowns Save Me The Last Waltz- Tender is the Night is a response to this Died believing himself a failure Zelda died 1948 in an asylum fire Revival of his works in s

Fitzgeraldinspired by the parties he had attended while visiting Long Island's north shorebegan planning the novel in 1923, desiring to produce, in his words, " something newsomething extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned."

Context Published in 1925 Prohibition became law in th Amendment gave women the right to vote Modeled Gatsby, and the Buchanan's after his wifes lover and the relationship between himself and his life. Triggered ideals of disillusionment after soldiers returned from the war as they dealt with PTSD and brought the party scene of Europe to America coined the term Jazz Age, which denoted an era of ragtime, jazz, stylish automobiles, and uninhibited young women with bobbed hair and short skirts " Fitzgerald wrote, "It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire."

Setting f East and West Egg, Long Island New York West Egg-poorer side (Nick Caraway) East Egg-Beverly Hills of Long Island (Buchannan's, Gatsby) Symbolizes the grandeur and dichotomy of the American Dream Novel also travels to Gatsbys time in the war and arrival in New York

Plot Summary: Eggs Cracked Nick Carraway, a recent Yale graduate returns home to West Egg to start a career Neighbors to the mysterious Jay Gatsby Invited to the home of his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan on East Egg. Meets Jordan Baker, the golf pro who Daisy wants him to date Nick notices that Daisy is unhappy in her marriage, desperate to escape domesticity Tom gets a call from a mysterious woman, his mistress Myrtle Wilson

Tom takes Nick to Queens to meet Myrtle The relationship is permitted by Tom and Myrtles friends because both were vastly unhappy in their marriages. Myrtle mocks Daisy and Tom beats her to Nicks horror Weeks later, Nick and Jordan attend a Gatsby party, shocked that few of the guests actually know him and gossip that he is an Anti-Semite, and a murderer. Nick meets Gatsby who asks him to lunch the next day

Plot Synopsis: The Great Gatsby At lunch with Gatsby and Jordan the next day, Nick learns that Gatsby attended Oxford University and that his family is all dead now. Meets Meyor Wolfsham, who with Gatsbys help, fixed the world series in On the car ride back to West Egg, Nick notices that Gatsbys hand is shaking and that his whole statement had fallen to pieces. Gatsby reveals that Daisy Buchannan was the only woman he had ever loved and that they had a relationship five years prior to when he joined the war.

Plot Synopsis: Red Light, Green Light Gatsby built his house to be closer to Daisy and to watch her from afar The Green light at the end of the dock symbolizes Gatsbys hopes that they will one day still be able to be together Daisy and Gatsby reunite and their relationship begins once again Daisy and Tom attend one of Gatsbys parties and Daisy becomes overwhelmed with emotion The party moves to the Buchannans house but Daisy declares that they should move to a hotel to escape the heat. Much to Toms dismay, Daisy rides in Gatsbys yellow car with him, while Tom is forced to drive Nick and Jordan. On the way into town, Tom meets with Tom Wilson who has locked Myrtle in the house because of her continued affair.

Plot Summary: Summer Heat and Heated Tempers The party moves to the Plaza Hotel where Tom confronts Daisy about her relationship with Gatsby. Gatsby brings Daisy to an ultimatum: she must choose to be with Tom or himself. Daisy is unable to make a decision and runs away with Gatsby. Furious, on the way home, Daisy seizes control of the car from Gatsby and hits Myrtle Wilson who instantly dies. Back at the Buchanans home, Tom and Daisy flee Long Island unable to face responsibility for their actions

Plot Summary: The Great Gatsbys Last Illusion Determined to avenge his wifes death, George Wilson sneaks into Gatsbys backyard and murders both himself and Gatsby. Nick (now separated from Jordan) notifies Gatsbys father of his sons death. Gatsby refused to meet with father because he wanted to get rid of his past. Few present at the funeral (Owl Eyes) Nick reflects upon his experiences with Gatsby and realizes albeit loathingly, the truth of his character.

Character Analysis: Nick Carraway Yale Grad Cousins with Daisy and Tom Narrator of the story Comes of age (loss of innocence) Moral compass of the novel Conflicted both about Daisy and Gatsby and Tom and Myrtle Unable to decide whether or not Gatsby is to be trusted Gatsby creates him as a father figure to replace his own. Relationship with Jordan Baker harmed by her supremely feminist ways.

Character Analysis: Jay Gatsby Originally known as James Gatz From North Dakota Taken in by Dan Cody, a wealthy tycoon from whom Gatsby inherited his wealth Fell in love with Daisy Buchannan shortly before leaving to fight in WWI Moved to West Egg in order to see her across the bay Relentlessly lives in the past and ultimately gives up his life for Daisy hoping that she will love him again. Don Draper esque