Lecture Notes: The Great Gatsby

Introduction

• The Great Gatsby focuses on Jay Gatsby's efforts to reinvent himself.
• Story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves from the Midwest to New York.
• Nick lives next to Gatsby and becomes part of New York's wealthy social scene.

Characters

• Jay Gatsby: An irrepressible dreamer with an extravagant lifestyle, originally named James Gatz.
• Nick Carraway: The story's narrator, who becomes fascinated by Gatsby.
• Daisy Buchanan: Gatsby's love interest; married to Tom Buchanan.
• Tom Buchanan: Daisy's husband, who has a girlfriend named Myrtle.
• Jordan Baker: A famous golfer, whom Nick dates briefly.
• Myrtle Wilson: Tom's girlfriend, married to George Wilson.

Key Plot Points

Setting and Background

• Set in summer 1922.
• Nick Carraway moves to New York to work in the bond business.
• He rents a small house in West Egg, Long Island, next to Gatsby's mansion.

Nick's Introduction to the Social Scene

• Visits East Egg to see Daisy and Tom.
• Observes Daisy's unhappiness and Tom's affair with Myrtle.
• Meets Jordan Baker.

Gatsby's Parties

• Gatsby throws grand parties at his mansion.
• Nick receives an invitation and attends one, meeting Gatsby and forming a friendship.

Gatsby's Backstory

• Born to poor farmers in Minnesota.
• Recreated himself as a wealthy man after meeting and working with Dan Cody.
• Fell in love with Daisy during World War I at Camp Taylor.

Daisy and Gatsby Reconnect

• Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a meeting between him and Daisy.
• Daisy and Gatsby rekindle their romance, leading to an affair.

Climax and Conflict

• Gatsby confronts Tom about his relationship with Daisy in a hotel suite in Manhattan.
• Daisy admits she loved both Tom and Gatsby, leading to tension.
• Tom reveals Gatsby's criminal activities to Daisy.
• Accident occurs with Daisy driving Gatsby's car, resulting in Myrtle's death.

Tragic Conclusion

• Gatsby decides to take the blame for the accident.
• George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, kills Gatsby.
• Few attend Gatsby's funeral; Nick is disillusioned.

Themes and Analysis

• The American Dream and its flaws.
• Class and social status.
• The past's impact on the present.
• Gatsby's tragic obsession with recreating the past.

Conclusion

• Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream ends in tragedy.
• His attraction to Daisy symbolizes his desire for money and social status.
• The story critiques the idea that anyone can achieve the American Dream regardless of their origins.

Additional Resources

• For more information, refer to The Great Gatsby SparkNotes at sparknotes.com.