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The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby. What does the novel mean?. The Great Gatsby Literary Elements. Style. The way a writer puts words together Length and rhythm of sentences use of figurative language symbolism dialogue description. Style. A novel of “selected incident” – part stands for the whole

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The Great Gatsby

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  1. The Great Gatsby What does the novel mean?

  2. The Great GatsbyLiterary Elements

  3. Style • The way a writer puts words together • Length and rhythm of sentences • use of figurative language • symbolism • dialogue • description

  4. Style • A novel of “selected incident” – part stands for the whole • Full of images appealing to the senses – water imagery, color imagery • Reflective – Nick reflects on the meaning of the action/events he witnessed

  5. Point of View • Limited first person / First person secondary • Realistic – we learn about characters in bits and pieces over time • Gatsby is more sympathetic because of Nick’s decision to become his friend.

  6. Form / Structure • Who is to tell the story and in what order will events be told?

  7. Form / Structure • First person narrative and gradual revelation of the past as the narrator learns more and more • Extreme selectivity – We have to read closely and piece together things from the few scenes Nick tells us about. We have to draw our own conclusions.

  8. Symbolism • The valley of ashes • The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg • The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock • The “owl-eyed” man • Gatsby’s boyhood schedule • Daisy and the color white • Gatsby and his gold tie and silver shirt

  9. Theme • A theme is an underlying thought or idea that is contained in a literary work.

  10. Theme • The American Dream • Each person can succeed based on their own skill and effort…the self-made man • In the 1920s this dream is corrupted by the vulgar pursuit of wealth, fame, glamour and excitement – a showy, empty form of success

  11. Theme • The Meaning of the Past • The past holds something that both Gatsby and Nick seem to long for: a simpler, nobler, better time (values).

  12. Theme • Hope • The green light • A reunion with Daisy • The belief that one can achieve their dream

  13. Theme • Disillusionment • Gatsby’s belief that you CAN repeat the past • Nick comes East to find success, but quickly becomes disenchanted, disillusioned by the lack of morals/corruption.

  14. Theme • Success • For Gatsby, success = Daisy and the only way to win Daisy is through $$$$

  15. Theme • Morals • The morals of the people with great wealth seem to be less desirable, but many times are more socially acceptable than lower classes.

  16. Setting Timeline • 1890 – Gatsby is born • 1892 – Nick is born • 1899 – Daisy is born • 1907 – Gatsby meets Dan Cody and sails with him for 5 years • 1912 – Dan Cody dies • 1914 – WWI begins • 1915 – Nick graduates from Yale • 1917 – Daisy & Gatsby meet in Louisville • 1917 – U.S. enters WWI, Gatsby goes overseas • 1919 – Gatsby meets Wolfsheim, just out of the Army • 1919 – 18th Amendment (Prohibition) • 1922 – Reunited with Daisy! • 1922 – Gatsby dies at the age of 32 • 1924 – Nick tells the reader the story of The Great Gatsby

  17. CharacterizationDaisy Fay • Fay – fairy or sprite • Daisy – flower, fresh, fragile • Daisy promises more than she gives • Better to dream about than to possess • Let’s others take care of her • Uses her $ to protect her from reality • Zelda Fitzgerald

  18. CharacterizationTom Buchanan • Possesses double power - physical size and bankroll (strong and rich) • Arrogant, used to having his own way • Cares only about himself • What he does is justifiable to him (tells Wilson where Gatsby is) • Tom best represents the “foul dust”

  19. CharacterizationJordan Baker • A link between characters • Supplies Nick with information • Can easily go back and forth between East Egg and West Egg • DISHONESTY • Tough, aggressive, will do anything to win • The smart new woman of the 1920s – opportunist • Hard, boyish body, masculine name, cynical style, cut off from past / no family

  20. CharacterizationMyrtle Wilson • An earthy, vital and voluptuous woman • She appeals to men • Is very jealous of Daisy • Dreams of escaping her current life to achieve her unfulfilled dreams

  21. CharacterizationGeorge Wilson • He embodies the valley of ashes • He has no energy, no faith • Lifeless, spiritless • Agent of death

  22. CharacterizationNick Carraway • Narrator • From a solid, mid-western family • Has values/morals • Honest, tolerant, understanding • Both admires Gatsby and disapproves of him • He is Gatsby’s friend – he understands him

  23. CharacterizationJay Gatsby He has committed crimes to acquire wealth to win back the woman he loves – another man’s wife We are asked to love Gatsby because of his dream Others know him only through rumors because they don’t really care Only Nick genuinely cares and from Nick we learn the truth Is he great?

  24. Fitzgerald’s Use of Color Gatsby – gold tie, silver shirt, pink suit, white suit, green light, yellow car Daisy – white, yellow, glowing face Tom – Straw-haired, shining eyes, glistening boots Jordan – white, gray, sun-stained Myrtle – brown, cream, dark red George – light blue eyes, pale hair, cement color

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