Lecture Notes: The Great Gatsby - Chapter One

Introduction

• The narrative begins with the protagonist reflecting on advice from his father.
• Key advice: "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in the world haven't had the same advantages that you've had."
• This advice shapes the narrator's tendency to reserve judgment.

Narrator's Background

• The narrator is from a well-to-do family in the Midwest, specifically a city where his family has been prominent for generations.
• Graduated from New Haven (Yale) in 1915 and served in World War I.
• Felt restless post-war and moved East to learn the bond business.

Setting

• The story is set on two fictional islands: West Egg and East Egg, located on Long Island Sound.
• West Egg is described as less fashionable compared to East Egg.
• The narrator lives in a modest house next to Gatsby's opulent mansion.

Gatsby

• Gatsby is introduced as a man with "an extraordinary gift for hope," embodying a romantic readiness unlike anyone the narrator has met.
• Gatsby's mansion is described as an imitation of a Hotel de Ville in Normandy.

Visit to East Egg

• The narrator visits East Egg to have dinner with Tom Buchanan and his wife Daisy, the narrator's cousin.
• Tom Buchanan is characterized as a powerful former athlete with a dominant and arrogant manner.
• Daisy is portrayed as charming yet insincere, with a voice that compels attention.

Social Dynamics

• The Buchanans' home is described as elaborate and emblematic of their wealth.
• Tom's views on race and civilization are highlighted; he is a follower of pseudo-scientific racial theories, indicating a sense of superiority.
• Daisy's cynicism about life is revealed, especially in her reflections about her daughter.

Dinner and Tensions

• Tension arises from a phone call during dinner, revealing Tom's affair with a woman in New York.
• The dinner conversation touches on various topics, including Tom's pessimistic worldview and Daisy's superficial charm.

Interaction with Jordan Baker

• Jordan Baker, a friend of Daisy's, is also present; she is a professional golfer.
• A sense of intrigue surrounds Jordan, who is familiar to the narrator from media coverage.

Conclusion of Chapter

• The chapter ends with a mysterious scene where the narrator observes Gatsby on his property, reaching out towards a green light across the bay.
• The green light symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams, foreshadowing future themes in the novel.

Themes and Motifs

• Hope and Dreams: Gatsby's character is defined by his hopeful outlook and unattainable desires.
• Wealth and Class: The contrast between West Egg and East Egg highlights social stratification.
• Judgment and Morality: The narrator's struggle with judgment reflects broader themes of morality.

These notes capture the essence of Chapter One, laying the groundwork for understanding the characters and setting of "The Great Gatsby." Gatsby's introduction and the social dynamics at play are critical for following the novel's unfolding narrative.