The Great Gatsby

Chapter Nine

2008-03-04T05:03:00.003-08:00

Picture: Gatsby's Funeral

Throughout this chapter Gatsby's funeral is being planned about. To begin, the leading aspect to his death was he was shot by Wilson in his pool. Wilson thought Gatsby was the man that Myrtle was having an affair with. This incident occurred at the end of chapter eight. During this chapter, Nick is basically the only who is held responsible for his funeral. This is because Nick is the only one who really knows him and is a true friend. Though Gatsby had many guest to his party, they did not care when he died. The guest basically showed up to party at his mansion. The people who attend his funeral was Nick, Henry, Butlers and Owl eyes. It was very significant though that Gatsby's dad, Henry, arrived to his funeral. It was because his dad has not seen Gatsby in a long time.

Quote

"At first i was surprised and confused; then as he lay in his house and didn't move or breathe or speak hour upon hour it grew upon me that i was responsible because no one else interested"(172). This quote expresses how Nick realizes that he is the one held responsible for Gatsby's funeral because he is a true friend.

"I called up Daisy half an hour after we found him, called her instinctively and without hesitation. But she and Tom had gone away early that afternoon, and taken baggage with them"(172). This quote shows how ignorant Daisy is and rude for not attending his funeral since she was in love with him.

" He opened it at the back cover and turned it around for me to see. On the last fly-leaf was printed the word SCHEDULE, and the date September 12th, 1906"(181). This quote is significant because it represents how Gatsby tried improving himself in a precise, sectionalized manner.

" There was one thing to be done before i left, an awkward, unpleasant thing perhaps had better have been let alone. But i wanted to leave things in order and not just trust that obliging and indifferent sea to sweep my refuse away"(185). This quote express Nick's feelings towards saying good bye to Jordan after all they have been through.

Hollowness Of Individuals

The hollowness of individuals means that these characters are missing hearts and are morally corrupt. One person in this chapter who shows that they are "missing a heart" is Daisy. Daisy was the girl that Gatsby loved and had an obsession about. She is married to Tom but had the affair with Gatsby, making Gatsby feel completely happy. Though, when Gatsby had died, Tom and Daisy fled and ran away without telling nobody. This is an example of her being a hollow person. Also, Daisy had ran over someone before without having any remorse. In addition, Daisy and Tom have a little girl. Daisy had a maid who watched her daughter. Tom never once brought her up, which shows he never respected her presences. Also, after Gatsby died many people did not show at his funeral like his guest. This expresses how the guest at his party did not have a heart also. This is because they acted in a way as friends of Gatsby, but in reality they only had shown up because of the lavishing parties. Lastly, Mytle is a character who is missing a heart. She has an affair with Tom even though he beats her. She treats Wilson, her husband badly by doing so. She does not love Wilson like she does of Tom so she will not move West with him. All in all, many of these characters only care for their own problems are being heartless towards others.

Chapter Eight

2008-03-04T05:03:00.001-08:00

Picture: Melancholic Mood

This picture resembles the melancholic mood because this is shown through the novel by when Nick is describing the rainy atmosphere. Nick says "I could'nt sleep all night; a fog horn was groaning incesantly on the Sound, and I tossed half sick between grotesque reality and savage frightening dreams". This is showing that it is gloomy and sickening in the atmosphere. This is also shown when Nick goes to Gatsby's house that night because he says "His house had never seemed so enormous to me as it did that night when we hunted through the great rooms for cigarettes". This is showing his house is empty, dark, and gloomy.

Quotes

"I can't describe to you how surprised i was to find out I loved her, old sport" (157). This quote shows that Gatsby is truely in love with Daisy.

"I even hoped for a while that she'd throw me over, but she did'nt, because she was in love with me too" (157).This expresses that Daisy loves Gatsby just as much as he loves her.

"You're worth the whole damn bunch put together" (162). Nick's saying that Gatsby is a better man than everyone else.

"God sees everything, repeated Wilson" (167). Wilson is saying that he thinks Doctor T.J. Eckelburg's eyes resembles God's eyes in the billboard.

Theme:"your worth the whole bunch put together"

Nick turns to Gatsby and says your worth the whole damn bunch put together. Nick means he is the only one that means anything out of Tom, Daisy, and all his party friends. Nick says this because Gatsby is the only one that cares about anything and stays loyal to anyone. Gatsby is a better man than everyone else. Nick also said this because Daisy is the one who hit Myrtle and Gatsby's trying to protect her and she won't even call him or give him the time of day. Even though Daisy is not treating him right he is still kind and still cares for Daisy. Gatsby also says that he would take the blame for killing Myrtle if it came back to Daisy, because he loves her more than anything in the world. This was also the only compliment Nick ever gave Gatsby because he disaproved of him from beginning to end. He started to hang out with Gatsby and he suddenly changed his mind because Gatsby is actually a great man. Nick was very happy he said this to Gatsby because he meant every word of it. Gatsby is shown throughout the novel to be one of the most loyal characters.

Chapter Seven

2008-03-04T05:01:00.002-08:00

Picture: Gatsby's Empty Party Room

In the beginning of chapter seven Gatsby no longer has extravagant parties. To begin, Gatsby becomes overly depressed again due to Daisy. Therefore, he thinks changing his ways of life will impress Daisy. For example, his mansion is no longer consisting of parties. Also, he dismissed his servants and replaced them with new ones so there will no longer be any gossip. As a result, the guest who use to show up no longer appear or disperse when they realize his house is not "alive". Furthermore, these aspects express how much Gatsby cares for Daisy and would do anything for her.

Quotes

" Half an hour later Daisy herself telephoned and seemed relieved to find that I was coming. Something was up. And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose this occasion for a scene-especially for the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden"(120). This quote expresses how nervous Daisy was for Gatsby to meet Tom when they were all planning to hang out.

"Daisy and Jordan lay upon an enormous couch, like silver idols, weighing down their own white dresses against the singing breeze of the fans"(122). This quote expresses the beauty upon the two wealthy girls.

"Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table. " You always look so cool," she repeated. She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded. His mouth opened a little and he recognized her as someone he knew a long time ago"(125). This quote is significant because it expresses how Gatsby and Daisy try hiding their relationship. Also, that Tom is jealous of what he had noticed, though he has a mistress himself.

" Your wife doesn't love you," said Gatsby quietly. "She's never loved you. She loves me." The significance of this quote is that it expresses Gatsby jealously and love towards Daisy. Also, that he is not scared to say what is on his mind when he is fired up.

Theme:Jealousy

Throughout chapter seven jealously is major theme expressed. To begin, Tom is meeting Gatsby for the first time in a while. Though, Tom is not very aware of Gatsby and Daisy's love affair. Tom does wonder though a little of what may be happening. For example, the phone rings and it is for Tom. As he leaves Daisy kisses Gatsby because Tom's presence is not near. Also, as Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, Nick and Jordan were lounging around trying to figure out a plan for the day. Daisy and Gatsby's eyes met, and Daisy whispered she loves him. They both became entangled in their own world. Tom had caught what happened and was extremely shock and was sitting there with a mouth of aw. But, soon after he acted like he had noticed nothing. As the chapter move on, they all leave to go into the city. As Daisy and Gatsby apart from one another. Tom catches Daisy's finger tremble across Gatsby's coat. Tom becomes crazy and his jealous is revealed. Lastly, near the end of the chapter Tom and Gatsby become irritable towards one another. Gatsby reveals his jealousy to Tom and tells him that Daisy has never loved him. Daisy loves Gatsby and only married Tom because he was wealthy and Gatsby was not at the time. As a result, Tom does not believe this comment and wanted to continue with competitiveness.

Chapter Five

2008-03-04T05:01:00.001-08:00

Picture: Gatsby and Daisy

Throughout chapter five Gatsby becomes a close friend of Nick. He soon finds out that his long lost lover Daisy, is Nick's cousin. Gatsby becomes overwhelmed with excitement, and asks Nick to plan a date in the afternoon with all three of them at Nick's. Gatsby becomes unstable and nervous, since he has not seen Daisy for five years. As the afternoon comes along, Daisy arrives. Gatsby begins to think that this ideas was a terrible mistake. He does because it is awkward with all three together. But, nick decides to leave them both alone. As the afternoon falls into night the feeling of awkwardness is relieved by comfort for one another.

Quotes

"I talked to Miss. Baker," I said after a moment." I'm going to call up Daisy tomorrow and invite her over here to tea"(87). This quote expresses how Nick first suggests the gathering of Gatsby and Daisy.

" An hour later the front door opened nervously and Gatsby in a white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold colored tie hurried in. He was pale and there were dark signs of sleeplessness beneath his eyes"(89). The significance of this quote shows how frightened and nervous Gatsby is to see Daisy after all these years.

" His head leaned back so far that it rested against the face of a defunct mantelpiece clock and from this position his distraught eyes stared down at Daisy who was sitting frightened but graceful on the edge of a stiff chair"(91). The significance of this quote shows how Gatsby is so in love with Daisy.

" Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the greatest distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her"(98). The significance of this quote expresses how the color green represents Gatsby, and even though he seems far from her she believes they are close.

Weather Symbolism

Throughout chapter five weather is used to symbolize Gatsby's emotions. For example, if Gatsby becomes filled with sadness the weather turns to rain. But, if he is happy the sun will begin to shine. During this chapter Gatsby becomes overwhelmed with nervousness because he is going to see Daisy, which he has not seen her for five years. For example, at the beginning of this chapter it begins to start pouring raining, "The day agreed upon pouring rain"(88). This is because Gatsby is nervous of seeing Daisy. Another example is after the rain, the sun starts to shine " After an hour the sun shone again"(93). because Gatsby and Daisy are now together. As the chapter continues on, "...twinkle bells of sunshine..."(94). are shining about in the room their in. The twinkles symbolize Daisy and Gatsby's emotions for one another. Though, as the evening is ending Daisy decides its time for her to go home. The rain begins to start falling again, which represents Gatsby's sadness of her leaving. Also, "...steps into the rain..."(102). This explains how Nick took steps into the rain, because Daisy is leaving therefore Gatsby will become sad.

Chapter Six

2008-03-04T04:57:00.000-08:00

Picture: Yacht

This picture represents Dan Cody and his yacht. Dan Cody was the man who took Gatsby. Dan Cody is a copper mogul. They met when Gatsby went to warn Dan Cody of an in pending storm coming. Cody was grateful and gave him a job as his own personal assistant. Before Gatsby worked for Cody his name was James Gatz, as he started to work for him Cody gave him the name Jay Gatsby. When Cody died he left him $25,000. Cody's mistress prevented Gatsby from getting his inheritance. This gave Gatsby the motive to make money and become rich.

Quote

"It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of cavas pants, but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a row boat..." (104). When hes was getting in to the boat hes one person and when he gets out he's another person, this represents Gatsby's two identities due to his great wealth.

" His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people-his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all"(104). Gatsby's true feelings of his poor parents is relieved and expresses a whole new outlook on his life. For instance not being wealthy in the his early life.

" But he would be uneasy anyhow until he had given them something, realizing in a vague way that was all they came for"(108). During Gatsby's parties falseness of people is expresses.

"You come to supper with me, said the lady enthusiastically" (109). This shows self absorption.

Theme : The American Dream

Gatsby is a person that was thought to attain the American Dream. He has wealth,capitalism, and owns his own business. Gatsby is a self made man, all the money he has is from him earning every penny on his own. He started from nothing and came from a poor life and he then wanted to make money so he tried his hardest and he then achieved the American Dream. He started off as James Gatz he then met a man named Dan Cody who called him Jay Gatsby. Dan Cody then died years later and left Gatsby money. He didn't eventually get that money so he dedicated himself to becoming a wealthy successful man, which he achieved in doing so. While Gatsby worked for Cody he fell in love with wealth mostly because he was surrounded by it. Also because he saw how much power money had. The reason Gatsby attained the American Dream was because he worked hard for it and did everything he could to become wealthy. Though Gatsby was not successful in the American dream. He basically stayed rich to impress Daisy, because she would not marry him when he was poor. He eventually never was happy and the only one who made him happy was Daisy, not his wealth. James Gatz and Jay Gatsby are two different people Jay Gatsby is the rich hard working man that wants to attain the American Dream. While James Gatz is a poor boy that worked hard just to make ends meet.

Chapter Four

2008-03-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Picture: Gatsby's Enormous Mansion

Jay Gatsby’s house is a massive, attractive house. It is well kept and looks very expensive. Many parties are held here for many rich people. Gatsby learned how to get his money when he met a man named Dan Cody. Who was a millionaire and owned his own yacht, who took him in and gave him a job as his personal assistant. When Dan Cody died he gave Gatsby a lot of money. That gave him the drive to become successful and make money. He then bought this house. Just about every weekend he throws parties and invites neighbors and some of his very rich friends. Most of these people don’t know Gatsby so they spread rumors about him. People love going to Gatsby’s parties because they have fun and there is alcohol there for people to drink. Even though Gatsby has this huge house he still gets bored and always wants more.

Quotes

He’s a bootlegger, said the young ladies, moving somewhere between his cocktails and his flowers” (65).This is one of the rumors that is being passed around about Gatsby at his house.

“One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil” (65). This is another ridiculous rumor that Nick hears about Gatsby, at Gatsby’s house.

“I don’t want you to get a wrong Idea of me from all these stories you hear” (69).
This shows that Gatsby knows of the insane rumors about him in his own house.

“He went to Oxford's College in England ” (77). This shows that Mr. Wolfsheim is not well educated.

Character Contrast

Jay Gatsby and Meyer Wolfshiem are very alike and they also have many differences. Meyer Wolfshiem is a very shady man who gave Gatsby a job in his shady business so that Gatsby can get a start on getting wealthy. Jay Gatsby is also a very shady person and he started making money from Meyer Wolfshiem. They both made all there money off of shady business dealings. They also have many differences like Meyer Wolfshiem is known for fixing the 1919 World Series. He is fifty years old and owns a very shady business. He is not a very loyal friend. Gatsby on the other hand started poor worked up the ranks and became wealthy. He is only thirty years old. He is very well educated because he graduated from Oxford University and he also served in the war. He is a very loyal person by the way he is with Daisy and Nick. He earned all his money because he wants to impress his one true love Daisy. Gatsby is a kinder more open person than Meyer Wolfshiem.

Chapter Three

2008-03-02T09:11:00.001-08:00

Picture: Lavish Parties

Gatsby represents wealth throughout this chapter by his parties. To begin, Gatsby lives in the more wealthier area of the West Egg. Almost everyday of the week Gatsby hosts these lavishing parties. Though many of the people who attend do not know him personally, but they know of him. One example of Gatsby's wealth is " At high tide in the afternoon i watched the guests diving from the tower of his raft or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor boats slit in the waters of the sound"(43). Since Gatsby has all these riches, he does not seem to mind entertaining his guest with them. Another example, is every Friday he gets overly larger amounts of crates delivered which contain fresh oranges and lemons. These are delivered to him for basically the drinks for guests. Also, Gatsby highers Orchestras for his parties to entertain his guests as well. Lastly, those who are cordially invited to these parties, are approached by Gatsby's chauffeur in a blue uniform on their steps.

Quotes

"And on Mondays eight servants including an extra gardener toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden shears, repairing the ravages of the night before"(43). The significance of this quotes is it expresses the wealth that Gatsby has.

" There was a machine in the kitchen which could extract the juice of two hundred oranges in half an hour, if a little button is pressed two hundred times by a butler's thumb"(44). The significance of this quote is that it represents how materialistic Gatsby can be.

" The bar is in full swing and floating rounds of cocktails permedite the garden outside"(44). The significance of this quote expresses the exaggeration of wealth being presented.

" The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and how the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music and the opera of voices pitches a key higher"(44). The significance of this quote also expresses exaggeration of wealth, but also expresses how as the party continues on people become more relaxed.

Character Relationships

During Chapter three chemistry rises between Jordan Baker and Nick Carraway. But, these two characters are very differently from one another. Jordan Baker is a sports woman and could also be known as a celebrity. Though Baker seems like a lovely lady, her lieing is not that deceitable. Nick had caught her once lieing about moving a golf ball during a tournament one year. Although, her lieing makes up who she is, it does not stop Nick from having an attraction towards her. Nick on the other hand ,moved to West Egg and started a bonds business in New York City. Nick also had attended Yale University in the East Egg, but the reject from the rich lifestyle caused him to move to West Egg. Jordan and Nick have met a couple times due to Jordan's long friendship with Nick's cousin Daisy. Though at one of Gatsby's parties Nick was alone and spotted Jordan in the crowd. They began to chat throughout the party and Nick began to enjoy her presence.

Chapter Two

2008-02-27T17:49:00.002-08:00

Picture: Valley of Ashes

The valley of ashes is a very grotesque area where all you can see is dust in the air. It is located half way between West Egg and New York City . It has rundown houses and polluted water. It has farms where ashes grow like wheat in the hills. It is a desolate wasteland. It is a very poor area. Tom takes Nick there by train to meet his affair Myrtle. Nick also meets her husband Mr. Wilson. Nick thinks this place is a gross and poor area. It is filled with powdery air. The valley of ashes connects with the personalities of the people who live there. Like the Wilson ’s by Myrtle cheating on her husband George with Tom. Tom only cares about himself and he is conceded so he belongs to the valley of ashes. Myrtle is stuck with Mr. Wilson in the valley of ashes and can’t get out.

Quotes

“Well, they say he’s a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. That’s where all his money comes from” (37). This is another rumor about Gatsby, which shows no one really know’s the exact truth about him.

“If I was them I’d get a divorce and get married to each other right away” (37). This shows that Nick knows Tom is having an affair with Myrtle and Nick doesn’t care that he’s cheating on his cousin.

“This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery” (27). This is showing Nick’s first impression of the valley of ashes. He’s saying that it is a bad and dull place.

“The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river” (28). This is Nick’s second impression and it hasn’t changed. He’s seeing that it is not a safe and clean area.

Character Contrast

There is a contrast between Tom and Wilson by the fact there both in love with Myrtle. Wilson is Myrtle’s husband and Tom is having an affair with Myrtle. Mr. Wilson doesn’t know that Tom and Myrtle are having an affair. Tom is rich, has a bad temper, and is full of himself. He also played football. Mr. Wilson is a garage worker and lives in the valley of ashes. Tom and Mr. Wilson are completely different people. Mr. Wilson is older than them, he has blonde hair and blue eyes. He is very spiritless. Myrtle is the exact opposite of him she is lively and fun. Myrtle is also different than Daisy. She is curvy, not dull, and very outgoing. She can’t get out of the valley of ashes and can’t leave husband.

Chapter One

2008-02-27T17:49:00.001-08:00

Picture:A red and white mansion of 1920’s in Long Island

The red and white mansion on Long Island expresses the wealth along the two eggs. To begin, the color red is associated with joy, love, life, shame, rage and death. As well, the book is based around the setting of Long island. The Buchanan's are characters who own a red and white mansion. Tom is described as red many times throughout the text, while Daisy is more white. White is associated with innocence and purity. Tom and Daisy are a very unhappy couple causing rage between them. Although they were once in love before. There house inside is described as " We walked through a high hallway into a bright rosy-colored space (13)." Also, the mansion expresses the display of wealth, and giving it a view of beauty and value.

Quotes

" The whole town is desolate. All the cars have the left rear wheel painted black as a mourning wreath and there’s a persistent wail all night along the North Shore"(14). The significance of this quote is that is expresses falseness. Nick tells Daisy that everyone misses her, even though truth is no one really does.

"Tom Buchanan who had been hovering restlessly about the room stopped and rested his hand on my shoulder"(14). The significance of this quote is that is expresses the boredom that the wealthy people reveal.

"I’ll tell you a family secret,"she whispered enthusiastically. "Its about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about the butler’s nose"(18). The significance of this quote is that gossiping is always being brought about between the wealthy because in reality they have nothing better to do.

"Have you read The Rise of the Colored Empires by this man Goddard"…The idea is if we don’t look out the white race we be-will be utterly submerged"(17). The significance expressed is that racism is being reveal from Tom Buchanan and that many of the wealthy are racist to other nationalities.

Symbolism: Egg(Setting)

Throughout chapter one the settings of the West and East eggs are expressed. The two enormous eggs are separated by a bay in the western hemisphere. They are also explained to be crushed flat. Though the eggs may look a lot alike, they are different economically. Some references used throughout the book to describe these islands are "hard boiled" and "warm centered". In addition, the symbolism of the eggs is that they equal people. People may look one way on the outside, but be totally different in the inside. Also, these to islands are located along the side of Long Island. The West Egg is known as the "less fashionable", Nick and Gatsby live there. But, the East Egg is know as the "fashionable", this is because more of the "old money" people live here like the Buchanan's. All in all, the people who live here are what they seem to be.Furthermore, both islands have lavishing houses and parties in certain areas of each one. For example,Gatsby has gigantic parties in his mansion of West Egg.