Lecture Notes: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Key Characters:

• Jay Gatsby: The enigmatic millionaire known for his extravagant parties. Real name: James Gatz.
• Nick Carraway: The narrator, Gatsby's neighbor, and a bond salesman. Cousin to Daisy.
• Daisy Buchanan: Nick's cousin and Gatsby's love interest. Married to Tom Buchanan.
• Tom Buchanan: Daisy's wealthy husband, having an affair with Myrtle Wilson.
• Jordan Baker: A professional golfer and friend of Daisy's.
• Myrtle Wilson: Tom's mistress, married to George Wilson.
• George Wilson: Myrtle's husband, owns a garage.
• Meyer Wolfshiem: Gatsbys business associate, rumored to have fixed the 1919 World Series.

Plot Summary:

Chapter 1

• Narration by Nick Carraway: Emphasizes not to judge others, recalling his father’s advice.
• Introduction of Gatsby: Mysterious and extravagant. Nick’s first impressions of his personality.
• Setting: Nick moves to West Egg, Long Island, neighboring Gatsby’s mansion.

Chapter 2

• The Valley of Ashes: A desolate area between West Egg and New York City.
• Introduction to Tom Buchanan’s affair: With Myrtle Wilson. Tom visits the Wilson garage.

Chapter 3

• Gatsby’s Party: Nick attends without a formal invitation. Not many people know Gatsby personally.
• First Meeting with Gatsby: Nick accidentally meets Gatsby at his party. Gatsby invites him for a plane ride.

Chapter 4

• Gatsby's Background: Revealed to Nick during a drive to New York. Gatsby is enigmatic about his past.
• Introduction to Meyer Wolfshiem: At lunch with Gatsby, indicating Gatsby's criminal connections.

Chapter 5

• Reunion of Gatsby and Daisy: Nick arranges a meeting at his house. Gatsby is nervous but the meeting rekindles old feelings.

Chapter 6

• Gatsby's True Past: James Gatz, who changed his identity to achieve his dreams.
• Daisy Attends Gatsby’s Party: Uncomfortable with the West Egg lifestyle.

Chapter 7

• Confrontation in New York: Tom confronts Gatsby about his relationship with Daisy. Daisy is torn between them.
• Myrtle’s Death: Daisy accidentally hits her with Gatsby’s car.

Chapter 8

• Gatsby’s Fate: Gatsby waits for a call from Daisy which never comes.
• George Wilson’s Revenge: Believing Gatsby was driving the car, he kills Gatsby and then himself.

Chapter 9

• Aftermath and Funeral: Nick arranges Gatsby’s funeral, disappointed by the lack of attendees.
• Reflection on Gatsby’s Dream: Nick reflects on the American Dream and Gatsby’s pursuit of an unreachable goal.

Themes:

• American Dream: The novel critiques the idea of the American Dream and its attainability.
• Class and Society: Examines the differences between the newly rich (West Egg) and the old aristocracy (East Egg).
• Love and Relationships: Explores the complexity and often illusory nature of love.
• Identity and Self-Made Image: Gatsby's transformation from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby.

Important Symbols:

• The Green Light: Represents Gatsby’s hope and dreams, particularly his desire for Daisy.
• The Valley of Ashes: Symbolizes moral and social decay resulting from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth.
• The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg: Often interpreted as representing the eyes of God, or the moral conscience of the society.

Conclusion:

• Tragic End: Gatsby’s idealism is crushed by reality, culminating in his tragic death.
• Nick’s Return to the Midwest: Disillusioned by the East and the people he met there.
• Final Reflection: On the unyielding dream that Gatsby pursued and the relentless passage of time.