The Great Gatsby Modernist Fiction

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Shauna Sonnier

AP English: Major Works Data Sheet

Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Date of Publication: 1925

Genre: Modernist Fiction

Historical Information about period of publication: Takes place around the "Roaring 20s". The era of prohibition on alcohol and the 18th Amendment. This allowed bootleggers to make a fortune on the manufacturing of alcohol. Most people had a lot of money and seemed to be very successful.

Biographical Information about the author: He was born into an upper middle class family in Minnesota. He left Princeton University to join the army during WWI. He loved a lady named Geneva King but she said poor boys should not think of marrying rich women.

Characteristics of the genre: Modernist characters are facing the challenges of WWI and are adjusting to a modernized world.

Plot Summary: Nick Carraway arrives from the Midwest and moves to Long Island, then to Gatsby’s house. He has dinner with Tom and his cousin Daisy. Nick then goes to a party with Tom in New York at the apartment Tom rents for his mistress Myrtle Wilson. At this party, he sees Jordan again and meets Gatsby. He goes into New York with Gatsby. At the Plaza Hotel, Gatsby confronts Tom and tries to make Daisy leave Tom but she refuses and runs over Myrtle on the way back. Wilson, which is Myrtle’s husband, finds Gatsby and shoots him. After his funeral, Nick decides to go back to the Midwest.

Describe the author’s style: Fitzgerald uses long sentences with unique language. This shows Nick’s higher education at Yale.

Examples that demonstrate style: Fitzgerald explains many of the characters as being beautiful. Also, he elaborates his characters by talking highly of them.

Memorable Quotations:

"And I walked on I was no longer. I was a guide, a pathfinder, an original settler. He had casually conferred on me the freedom of the neighborhood." The significance of this quotation is that this is the narrator’s first instance of equality with a higher class in America when he knows something another doesn’t. The upper class was a forbidden community and Nick now has access to it and he feels important.

"Can’t repeat the past?... Why of course you can!" The significance of this quotation is that it shows the illusion of a life that Jay lived. He spent the majority of his life trying to achieve something that made him delusional to reality.

"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone.. just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had." The significance of this quotation is that the people appear perfect and are apart of high class society but do not have the advantage of character and a good family life.

Characters:

Buchanan: husband of Daisy and is having a secret affair with Wilson’s wife Myrtle. His significance is that he represents "family money," he lives the dream Gatsby hopes for and demonstrates emotional static. Some adjectives of this character are: arrogant, rude, and self-centered.

Gatsby: new comer who had a previous love with Daisy and hopes to win her back. His significance is that he represents the futility of chasing the American dream and the ironic ruin and despair it brings to him. Some adjectives of this character are: hopeful and committed.

Nick: relative of Daisy who stays in NYC to learn about stock, becomes Gatsby’s closest friend. His significance is that he serves to provide commentary on other characters; his neutrality allows for their channeling of emotion through him. Some adjectives of this character are: honest, sincere, and simple.

Wilson: operator of a gas station in the valley of ashes where he lives modestly with his wife Myrtle; murders Gatsby then commits suicide. His significance is that he shows the effects of the superficial action of the American dream; how hard work ultimately loses to money and inherited power. Some adjectives of this character are: hardworking, vengeful, and accommodating.

Meyer Wolfsheim: runs illegal alcohol with Gatsby and meets Nick while they are eating with Gatsby. His significance is that he helps show Nick Gatsby’s life aside from partying. He also shows Nick how Gatsby makes a lot of his money. Some adjectives of this character are: shady and cunning.

Mr. Gatz.: Gatsby’s real father from Minnesota who shows up when he hears of his son’s death. His significance is that he was Gatsby’s only family to show up to get his body and his only known family. Some adjectives of this character are: elderly and poor.

Dan Cody: bought things for Gatsby when he was young as well as taking him around the world 3 times. His significance is that he greatly influenced everything in Gatsby’s life. Some adjectives of this character are: physically strong but soft-minded.

Daisy: Buchanan’s wife who had a previous affair with Gatsby. Her significance is that caused Gatsby to chase the American dream in futility and shows the frailty of a young girl caught up in the nonsense of richness. Some adjectives of this character are: weak, ditsy, and unrealistic.

Myrtle: has a secret affair with Tom, and is killed in the accident where Daisy is driving. Her significance is that she shows the underlying deception of the wealthy in her affair, and now, despite her husband’s love and hard work, the wealthy destroy the weak and come out on top. Some adjectives of this character are: naïve and unstable.

Jordan Baker: the girl who Nick grows fond of, friends with Daisy and a successful athlete. Her significance is that is the only real friend of Daisy and after appearing likeable to Nick later reveals her true superficial nature. Some adjectives of this character are: pompous and arrogant.

Setting: Between East Egg and West Egg which were different communities that were separated by Long Island Sound.

Symbols: During the Great Gatsby the green light was a very important symbol. This light touches all of Gatsby’s desires in life. Everything he possibly wanted was wealth, class, and state. The only thing that is left now is Daisy. The Green Light also represents an American dream. Meaning most of the characters see the light but not many will touch it.

Significance of opening scene: The opening scene reveals a character by the name of Nick Carraway. We learn about Nick’s life and how he was brought up during childhood. Also, this reveals that he will most likely be the main character.

Significance of closing scene: Many people give up on their dreams. Many people do pursue their dreams but, face many challenges along the way. Fitzgerald believes that someday all dreams do come true.

Old AP Question: Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

Possible themes/ Topics of discussion: A possible theme could be Lost Love. Love can make people do crazy, unimaginable things. But when love is taken, more like ripped, from a person, he or she will do all in their power to get their love back.