Great Gatsby Final Notes
Why is first-person narrative an effective and appropriate way of telling this story?
Telling a story from the third person view (or eyes in the sky) expresses the story in a more neutral mode - that is it does not have any bias or other personal opinions, which is an advantage compared to first person narrators. Yet, Having a story told from a person who has personally experienced the plot and the actual situations described as in the novel is like feeling more tension and excitement. First person narrators most of the time do not spoil the readers the climax and the not foreseen danger in the future.
Discuss the title of the book. In what way is Gatsby “great?”
The "Great" Gatsby is, indeed, a fictional character that expresses greatness in numerous ways. First of all, his handicap with tons of money and wealth grants him a big jump over the story, yearning to achieve his only life goal: Daisy. But that is only a part of his superiority; Gatsby has devoted nearly his entire life to go look for Daisy and to live a happy life with her. In short, he fell in love and did not give up to pursue her until his inevitable death, which marked the deadline of his dream, his American Dream. Therefore, one can say that Gatsby was and is great because he has never given up to love Daisy.
Discuss the relationship between Nick and Jordan Baker. How does it reflect, if at all, on the story of Gatsby and Daisy?
The entire relationship between Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker is just another side-story next to the main quest. Fitzgerald has used this love affair to entertain the readers and to attract their attention away from the main story for a while. In addition, we, the readers, are able to know more about Nick's and Jordan's personalities and what they actually think of Gatsby and Daisy.
Discuss Fitzgerald’s use of the automobile in this novel. What do you think might have made the automobile an appealing symbol to Fitzgerald in the early 1920s?
Unlike today, automobiles were indeed a big sign of wealth and popularity in the 1920's. Fitzgerald has constantly used cars to express the wealth of Tom and Gatsby simultaneously. For example, when Tom ordered Gatsby and Daisy to drive away with his car, Tom was confident enough to exchange his and Gatsby's car (if he did not have any money, he sure would not have sacrificed his car for self-abnegation).
Describe the gradual revelation of Gatsby’s character. What do we learn about him and when? Why is this an appropriate way of learning about him?
Instead of spoiling Gatsby's early life and childhood, Fitzgerald has been wise and kept it as a secret for later on in order to keep the readers their tension and their own personal perceptions. In short, the author has made it perfect for readers to argue/debate about how Gatsby was actually born as and if he really told the truth to Nick Carraway. By explaining Gatsby's early life at the end would solve all conflicts and the readers would, indeed, go "Ahhhh...." and put the last piece of the puzzle in.
At the end of the book, Nick imagines what the continent must have been like when it was first seen by Dutch sailors. How does this contrast with the environment described in the novel?
The Dutch sailors came to this continent in the first place to start a new life, to begin their dream that they wished for. As time went by, people began to believe and to be motivated for the American Dream, which fulfills their necessities and gives them their wants. In irony, Gatsby has been the sign of the American Dream, yet he, himself, could not get it sadly. In short, the journey towards the American Dream is what matters, not what the actual goal is (achieving your dream goal would not satisfy you; you always have a goal that you try to yearn, to go for).
Telling a story from the third person view (or eyes in the sky) expresses the story in a more neutral mode - that is it does not have any bias or other personal opinions, which is an advantage compared to first person narrators. Yet, Having a story told from a person who has personally experienced the plot and the actual situations described as in the novel is like feeling more tension and excitement. First person narrators most of the time do not spoil the readers the climax and the not foreseen danger in the future.
Discuss the title of the book. In what way is Gatsby “great?”
The "Great" Gatsby is, indeed, a fictional character that expresses greatness in numerous ways. First of all, his handicap with tons of money and wealth grants him a big jump over the story, yearning to achieve his only life goal: Daisy. But that is only a part of his superiority; Gatsby has devoted nearly his entire life to go look for Daisy and to live a happy life with her. In short, he fell in love and did not give up to pursue her until his inevitable death, which marked the deadline of his dream, his American Dream. Therefore, one can say that Gatsby was and is great because he has never given up to love Daisy.
Discuss the relationship between Nick and Jordan Baker. How does it reflect, if at all, on the story of Gatsby and Daisy?
The entire relationship between Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker is just another side-story next to the main quest. Fitzgerald has used this love affair to entertain the readers and to attract their attention away from the main story for a while. In addition, we, the readers, are able to know more about Nick's and Jordan's personalities and what they actually think of Gatsby and Daisy.
Discuss Fitzgerald’s use of the automobile in this novel. What do you think might have made the automobile an appealing symbol to Fitzgerald in the early 1920s?
Unlike today, automobiles were indeed a big sign of wealth and popularity in the 1920's. Fitzgerald has constantly used cars to express the wealth of Tom and Gatsby simultaneously. For example, when Tom ordered Gatsby and Daisy to drive away with his car, Tom was confident enough to exchange his and Gatsby's car (if he did not have any money, he sure would not have sacrificed his car for self-abnegation).
Describe the gradual revelation of Gatsby’s character. What do we learn about him and when? Why is this an appropriate way of learning about him?
Instead of spoiling Gatsby's early life and childhood, Fitzgerald has been wise and kept it as a secret for later on in order to keep the readers their tension and their own personal perceptions. In short, the author has made it perfect for readers to argue/debate about how Gatsby was actually born as and if he really told the truth to Nick Carraway. By explaining Gatsby's early life at the end would solve all conflicts and the readers would, indeed, go "Ahhhh...." and put the last piece of the puzzle in.
At the end of the book, Nick imagines what the continent must have been like when it was first seen by Dutch sailors. How does this contrast with the environment described in the novel?
The Dutch sailors came to this continent in the first place to start a new life, to begin their dream that they wished for. As time went by, people began to believe and to be motivated for the American Dream, which fulfills their necessities and gives them their wants. In irony, Gatsby has been the sign of the American Dream, yet he, himself, could not get it sadly. In short, the journey towards the American Dream is what matters, not what the actual goal is (achieving your dream goal would not satisfy you; you always have a goal that you try to yearn, to go for).