The Great Gatsby Lecture Notes

Overview

• Main Character: Jay Gatsby
  • Attempting to reinvent himself
  • Originally from a poor background, real name: James Gatz
• Narrator: Nick Carraway
  • Moves from the Midwest to New York
  • Lives next to Gatsby on Long Island
  • Tells the story from his perspective
• Setting: Summer of 1922, New York

Plot Summary

Nick Carraway's Move

• Moves to New York to work in bond sales
• Rents a house in West Egg, next to Gatsby's mansion

Social Connections

• Visits Daisy and Tom Buchanan in East Egg
  • Learns of Daisy's unhappiness and Tom's affair
  • Meets Jordan Baker, a golfer
• Observes Gatsby's mysterious behavior and interest in a green light across the bay

Tom Buchanan and Myrtle

• Tom introduces Nick to his mistress, Myrtle
• Myrtle is married to George, owns a gas station
• Tom and Myrtle have a New York City apartment for their affair

Gatsby's Parties

• Gatsby hosts lavish parties
• Nick receives an invitation, meets Gatsby
  • Gatsby and Nick bond over shared WWI experiences

Gatsby's Favor

• Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a meeting with Daisy
• Jordan Baker reveals Gatsby's past with Daisy

Reunion and Affair

• Nick arranges tea at his house for Gatsby and Daisy
• Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their romance
• Daisy begins an affair with Gatsby

Confrontation

• Gatsby hopes to confront Tom
• They all meet in a Manhattan hotel
• Daisy admits her love for Gatsby but cannot leave Tom
• Tom reveals Gatsby's criminal background

Tragedy

• Daisy accidentally kills Myrtle with Gatsby's car
• Gatsby takes the blame
• George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, kills Gatsby

Key Themes

• American Dream: Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and class status
• Love and Obsession: Gatsby's fixation on Daisy as a symbol
• Class and Society: Examination of wealth and social status

Conclusion

• Gatsby's funeral is sparsely attended
• Nick returns to the Midwest
• Reflects on the unattainable nature of dreams

For further reading, refer to The Great Gatsby SparkNotes.