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Questions and Answers
What do the Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg symbolize for George Wilson?
How does the Valley of Ashes contribute to the theme of social inequality?
What is significant about the contrast between Gatsby's extravagant parties and his funeral?
Who had a significant influence on Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and success?
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What does Gatsby’s reunion with Daisy reveal about his feelings for her?
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What themes are revealed through Nick’s final thoughts on Gatsby?
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Which literary technique is prominently used to enhance the mood during the confrontation in the hotel?
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What does the green light symbolize in the context of Gatsby's aspirations?
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How does Nick Carraway's view of the East and Midwest evolve throughout the story?
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What does Gatsby's extravagant lifestyle and his parties signify about his character and dreams?
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What does Daisy Buchanan's character reveal about her values and motivations?
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What role does Jordan Baker play in Nick’s perspective of the social world around him?
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How does Fitzgerald portray the difference between Old Money and New Money through Tom and Gatsby?
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What does the green light symbolize in relation to Gatsby's aspirations?
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What character flaw is most pronounced in Tom Buchanan, and how does it affect his relationships?
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In what way does Gatsby’s idealization of Daisy illustrate the theme of love and obsession?
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Study Notes
Character Analysis and Development
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Nick Carraway:
- Moves from Midwest to East Egg, Long Island to work in the bond business.
- Observes the wealthy East Egg/West Egg social scene while developing relationships with Gatsby, Jordan, Daisy, and Tom.
- Experiences disillusionment as he learns about the careless and shallow nature of the rich.
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Jay Gatsby:
- Mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties.
- Obsessed with reuniting with his lost love, Daisy.
- His past is shrouded in secrecy, and he is often seen as an outsider by other characters.
- His lifestyle and wealth are tools to win Daisy back.
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Daisy Buchanan:
- Beautiful, wealthy socialite, married to Tom Buchanan.
- She is deeply unhappy in her marriage, but she also hesitates to leave for fear of losing her comfortable life.
- While she feels attracted to Gatsby, her choices ultimately reveal a dependence on wealth and privilege.
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Tom Buchanan:
- Wealthy, arrogant, and hypocritical.
- Has an affair with Myrtle Wilson, showcasing his disregard for marital fidelity and moral principles.
- He is deeply prejudiced and disapproving of people outside his social circle.
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Jordan Baker:
- Professional golfer, known for her dishonesty and casual disregard for rules.
- She represents the empty values and moral ambiguity within the wealthy social circle.
- Contrast to Daisy, demonstrating a difference between the more socially refined and less morally conscious figures in East Egg.
Themes and Motifs
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The American Dream:
- Gatsby embodies the pursuit of the American Dream, believing that material wealth and success will grant him happiness.
- The green light across the bay, seen as a symbol of hope and aspiration, represents Gatsby's longing for Daisy.
- Gatsby's pursuit is flawed and ultimately leads to tragedy, suggesting limitations to the American Dream.
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Social Class and Wealth:
- East Egg represents old money, characterized by inherited wealth and established social hierarchies, shown in characters like Tom and Daisy.
- West Egg embodies newly acquired wealth through business acumen and a less established social standing, as epitomized by Gatsby.
- The contrast between the two groups implies the power and influence of inherited wealth and the inherent struggles of those trying to join the upper class.
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Hypocrisy and Carelessness:
- Wealthy characters, particularly Tom and Daisy, exemplify hypocritical and careless behavior.
- They are shown to be unfaithful, dismissive of others, and disregard moral principles.
- This hypocrisy reflects the emptiness of their lives and the moral failing within the luxurious lifestyle.
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Love and Obsession:
- Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is a driving force in the story, creating conflict and ultimately leading to tragedy.
- His idealized view of Daisy contrasts with the reality of their past and the challenges of their reunion.
- His pursuit of Daisy signifies the destructive power of obsession and the illusion surrounding idealized love.
Symbols and Imagery
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The Green Light:
- Represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams, particularly his yearning for Daisy.
- Serves as a reminder of his aspirations and the past he desperately wants to reclaim.
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The Eyes of Doctor T.J.Eckleburg:
- Seen overlooking the Valley of Ashes, these giant eyes act as a symbol of moral judgment.
- For George Wilson, they represent a higher power and a sense that even in the desolate place, there is a reckoning for wrongdoing.
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The Valley of Ashes:
- Desolate area between West Egg and New York City.
- Represents the forgotten and marginalized, reflecting the social inequality and moral decay of the wealthy's pursuit of pleasure.
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Gatsby's Parties vs. Funeral:
- Large, extravagant parties symbolize Gatsby's attempt to impress Daisy, but also point to the shallowness of his lifestyle.
- The contrast with his small, sparsely attended funeral highlights the isolation and meaninglessness of striving for material success.
Important Plot Points
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Gatsby’s Backstory:
- Early life and social climbing.
- Dan Cody, a wealthy businessman, influences Gatsby's desire for wealth and success.
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Key Interactions:
- Important dialogues between the characters, including Gatsby and Tom (confrontation at Gatsby’s house, the hotel) and Nick and Jordan (discussions about Gatsby’s past, Jordan’s character), shape the story and reveal character motivations.
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Daisy and Gatsby’s Reunion:
- Illustrates Gatsby's relentless pursuit of Daisy and his struggle to recreate the past.
- Gatsby’s pursuit ultimately clashes with the realities of Daisy’s current life and her own limitations.
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The Climax and Consequences:
- The climax occurs with the death of Myrtle Wilson, a tragic accident that stems from the careless actions of the rich.
- The consequences extend to George Wilson, who seeks retribution, and ultimately lead to Gatsby's death.
Quotes and Literary Techniques
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Irony:
- Tom criticizes Gatsby's wealth source, unaware of his own moral corruption and the source of his own riches.
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Symbolism:
- The green light represents hope and the allure of the unreachable dream.
- The eyes symbolize judgment, serving as a reminder of moral accountability.
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Imagery and Mood:
- The heavy heat during the confrontation at the hotel creates a sense of tension and unrest.
- The romance of Gatsby’s mansion during his initial meeting with Daisy after many years creates a sense of hope and nostalgia.
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Final Reflections:
- Nick, as the narrator, expresses his final thoughts about Gatsby and the wealthy characters he has encountered.
- The novel ends with a sense of disappointment and disillusionment, highlighting the American Dream's flaws and the moral decay within those who embody it.
Terms to Know
- Motif: recurring themes or images, including the theme of hypocrisy, moral corruption, and the recklessness caused by wealth.
- Symbol: objects, people, or places that represent broader ideas, such as the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes.
- Foreshadowing: moments that hint at future events, which are often ambiguous and serve to maintain suspense, e.g, rumors about Gatsby, warnings about the dangers of Gatsby's dream, and tension in Gatsby's interactions with other characters.
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Description
Explore the complex characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' in this quiz. Delve into the lives of Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby, and Daisy Buchanan, uncovering their motivations, relationships, and the disillusionment of the American Dream. Test your understanding of their development and significance within the story.
