Gatsby Reading Flashcards

Character Descriptions

• Gatsby is portrayed as a hopeful romantic with a unique charm, described as having a gorgeous quality and an extraordinary gift for hope.
• The narrator, Nick Carraway, comes from the Middle West and moves to New York to learn the bond business, seeking excitement after WWI.
• Daisy Buchanan is characterized as charming and kind, but her happiness possesses an underlying sadness; she seems to fake some of her innocence.
• Tom Buchanan is a wealthy, powerful man with a cruel demeanor, portraying arrogance and judgment, creating an unlikable first impression.

Setting and Context

• Nick's modest house contrasts with the grandeur of the Buchanans' Georgian mansion, showcasing the disparity between social classes.
• The "valley of ashes" symbolizes the decay caused by the American Dream, depicting the struggles of the impoverished.
• The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, an abandoned billboard, loom over this bleak landscape, serving as a haunting symbol of observation in a morally decayed society.

Relationships and Conflicts

• Tom is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, revealing themes of infidelity and moral decay.
• Daisy expresses cynicism about motherhood, wishing her daughter to be a "beautiful fool," indicating her disillusionment with societal expectations.
• The fraught dynamics reveal tensions between characters, particularly during the confrontation about Daisy's affections between Tom and Gatsby.

Key Plot Points

• Gatsby's extravagant wealth, acquired through questionable means, becomes a tool to win Daisy back; he throws lavish parties in hopes she will attend.
• Nick learns of Gatsby's past and obsession with Daisy, who he idealizes as the embodiment of his dreams and aspirations.
• The tension peaks with Myrtle's tragic death, sparking chaos and leading to a series of confrontations.
• Wilson mistakenly believes Gatsby killed Myrtle, leading to his violent end of revenge, exemplifying the tragic consequences of miscommunication and assumptions.

Symbolism and Themes

• The green light at the end of Daisy's dock is a powerful symbol for Gatsby's unreachable dreams and hopes for a future with her.
• Gatsby's modified identity from James Gatz reflects themes of reinvention and the American Dream's complexities.
• Daisy's feelings towards Gatsby's parties symbolize the disconnection between wealth and genuine connections, emphasizing the emptiness of superficial social interactions.

Final Outcomes

• Gatsby's funeral is sparsely attended, highlighting the loneliness of his life despite his wealth; it reflects the hollowness of the connections forged in his pursuit of status.
• Nick's views on East Coast society transform into disillusionment, propelling him to return to the Midwest, revealing broader societal critiques within the narrative.### Characters and Relationships
• Henry C. Gatz is the father of Jay Gatsby, highlighting Gatsby's background and familial connections.
• Jordan Baker's relationship with Nick ends when he realizes her indifference towards their shared experiences.

Important Objects

• Henry Gatz presents Nick with a copy of "Hopalong Cassidy," revealing a glimpse into Gatsby's past aspirations.
• The book contains one of Gatsby's old schedules, underlining his determined nature and ambition for self-improvement.

Themes and Motifs

• Gatsby's old schedule reflects his desire for moral integrity and success while contrasting with the corruption brought by wealth.
• The novel portrays the idea that wealth leads to moral decay, particularly through Gatsby's transformation.

Views on Society

• Nick characterizes Daisy and Tom Buchanan as careless individuals who cause destruction in the lives of others without accountability.
• They epitomize the theme of social irresponsibility, retreating into their wealth after causing harm and leaving others to manage the fallout.